2 Feb 2012
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
Career and technical education has a long history in our nation of adequately preparing young women and men to immediately enter the workforce in readily available jobs/careers or post-secondary education/certified training and apprenticeships . Yet, funding for these particulair programs are in danger (http://www.acteonline.org/ctepolicywatchblog.aspx?id=17355&blogid=3512) — which means the future of our labor force is in danger. But first, some history.
My mother has been a secretary – or administrative assistant extraordinaire, for over 30 years. She received her career and technical education education from Macomber-Whitney, a historical vocational high school in Toledo, Ohio just after schools became racially integrated. This was circa 1960, when short-hand scribing and typewriters were the staple of corporate America – and women with secretarial diplomas were seen as savvy business women. If it weren’t for her meticulous instruction, pink “message pads”, and typing lessons on our Commodore 64 computer – I wouldn’t have been a receptionist, typing 40 wpm as a 17 year old. My resume has progressively improved, boasting fiscal successes and organizational leadership – but it all started with her guidance on business etiqutte and protocol.
I later learned that her dad was an industrial arts teacher in Mississippi and would make furniture for the rich white families in their town of Pinola. Eventually, as a family of 11, they moved north to Ohio – and I can’t count the number of college degrees and certificates my grandparents’ offspring have collected. Vocational instruction in American schools has been thematic in my life. It’s funny, how “majoring” in Business Education and studying legislation (Smith-Hughes Vocational Act of 1963; Carl D. Perkins Act(s) of 1984, 2006, and so many others) helped me reconnect with the role career and technical education has played in my own family. But it’s not just my family. CTE programs have been found to increase retention and graduation rates (Luhby, 2011) by significant rates. And in a nation where high school drop-outs cost tax payers 24 billion annually in crime and welfare benefits (Martin & Halperin) – my stance in support of CTE programs is clear.
I recently read where Ohio had 80, 000 unfilled jobs last month (www.toledoblade.com); apparently due to an unskilled labor force. Yet, our area is rediscovering an industrial boom due to the resurrection of the automobile industry and other manufacturing sectors. Knowing what CTE programming has done for my family and millions of other business technology, trades and manufacturing Americans, I implore others to take a strong look at CTE and it’s impact on workforce development efforts in their own neck-of-the-woods. Unemployment and lack of skilled workers is a global issue. Or is everyone chasing fame and glamorized jobs that only a small percentage of people actually hold? An economy is only as strong as it’s weakest link and business/industry is only as strong as it’s weakest and least knowledgeable employee. We need to invest in our labor force, not just for the present, but for generations to come.
7 Dec 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
The future of the web brings many possibilities that will continue to enhance the education of our students. Chapter 9 speaks to some of these possibilities by bringing up the following [developing] characteristics of web x: transparency, integrative and intuitive web tools, portability and collaboration to name only a few. These characteristics enhance classrooms while encouraging digital equity and access.
Another interesting point is that cloud computing and infrastructure gives birth to SaaS softwares that allows IT departments to streamline as districts move operations offsite into the cloud (p. 167).
Streamlining is a super buzzword in the business world because it generally equates to cost savings. As web expands in intelligence and cloud capabilities, businesses can expect to become more efficient – which will positively impact the bottom line.
26 Nov 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
Wikis bring textured utility to the classroom. Assignments can be project based, authentic,and focused on problem-solving. Students are able to build upon each others work, thereby fostering a collaborative environment through real-time synthesis. Withing wikis, teachers can come up with creative assignments and use their peers,parents and other students as an authentic audience.
The business community can benefit from wikis in the same way to develop professional learning communities and . Business can also use wikis for product or other project development uses.
22 Nov 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
The Social Promise of the Time To Know Program
Yigal Rosen, Time To Know and University of Haifa
Edith Manny-Ikan, Henrietta Szold Institute
This article was selected because it addresses the achievement gap in social classes. Within this study, researchers sought to investigate whether educational technology can play a role in bridging the achievement gap between students. Socioeconomic factors were recognized as contributing to the digital divide. As such, information and communication technology is seen by sociologists, educators and economists as a way to promote educational equity.
It was found that schools with lower socioeconomic status (SES) had a hard time coordinating technological activities due to unstable teaching, administrative and IT personnel. In contrast, students in high schools from higher SES were found to have computer use that was innovative and much more constructive. Therefore, the study conducted looked at the effects of the Time to Know program (designed with a social and constructivist approach to learning) on students in an SES school in Israel. The program focused on Math, Hebrew and English Language Arts.
Within this program, teachers were supported with the following:
1:1 laptop environment
Interactive year-long curriculum
Digital teaching platform
Pedagogical support
Technical support
Findings indicated that students enjoyed significantly enhanced learning with the program; and contributed to the mathematical reasoning skills. Results also indicated that the Time to Know program narrowed the gap between high and low achievement students.
22 Nov 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
What was interesting in chapter 7 was the recognition of an emergence of sociotechnical structures as the preferred learning method for many students as well as an emergence in teacher preference as well. I believe that 3D environments are an innovative way to connect students; they bring a vibrance to learning that has been lost. They also appear to be a great way for students to develop soft skills/etiqutte and problem solving capabilities. Yet, real social interaction can not be underrated – so it’s important for teachers to still ensure that their students are engaging and applying these learned skills via classroom participation as well.
Businesses should be careful when engaging in virtual environments. They should have clear objectives ( professional development, project development and management, etc.) and should be moderated often.
18 Nov 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
<iframe src=”http://www.screenr.com/embed/vvLs” width=”650″ height=”396″ frameborder=”0″></iframe>
Hope you enjoy!
17 Nov 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
The aha moment came when I read that many students are visual learners. I knew that but never made the connection to visual learning tools. In this chapter, I enjoyed reading about engaging visual activities that enhance overall learning but also inspire “higher-ordered thinking.” Expaning the classroom to this medium has helped to engage and show the potential of students that are otherwise challenged by the current [sometimes] 2 dimensional structure of curriculum. In many ways it increases access to curricular concepts, that otherwise may have been missed. Chapter 6 also mentioned that visual assignments allow teachers to evaluate from the perspective of applied skills vs. remembering (and regurgitation) of facts for tests. I remember those days of instructional delivery … and I remember not remembering much about what I was to learn.
The business community knows the benefit of tangible, face-to-face contact when it comes to branding and building customer trust/relationship. Company websites, especially recruiting pages make use of digital storytelling/interviews from actual staff in prospective positions. This gives job seekers a tangible experience of what is to be expected, company culture, etc. People connect with people – so industry stands to gain from incorporating visual media into their branding and/or recruiting efforts.
11 Nov 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
Chapter 5 discussed the intersection of 2 major trends, technology and social change, and how they offer significant potential in the classroom. Social networking blends those trends in a way that allows teachers to creatively enhance their instruction and student learning. Social networks also provide a forum for teachers to develop personal learning communities.
In the business sector, it is increasingly becoming common practice for companies to train their staff on social networking. More than ever, organizations realize that they need an element of online interaction [and not just presence] to remain competitive and relevant. It may not be wise to share too much online with peers due to stiff customer-based competition, but larger organizations may choose to develop a social network or Ning network to get their employees engaged and connected. This could build company culture and motivate staff to stay longer than the average 5-7 year timeframe.
5 Nov 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
Web 2.0 has proven to be a valuable tool in education. This is an undeniable fact. Having worked in social service, I’ve often wondered how technology in education affects those students that have limited access [not only] to computers and the software necessary to complete class projects.
Chapter 4 speaks to this issue through feedback provided by a teacher from Pennsylvania (p. 72). She states that Google docs is a great way for her students who don’t have word processing or spreadsheets to complete class projects.
Similarily, small businesses or organizations with small budgets can make use of 2.0 productivity tools, without having to purchase expensive software. Not only is it cost efficient, but it also increases their capacity to network and share information within local and global business communities.
5 Nov 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
Marketing Over Coffee
http://www.marketingovercoffee.com/2011/11/02/now-with-more-shameless-plugs/ posted by John Wall.
Marketing over Coffee discusses how to use technology to reach current and prospective clientele/customers. They give technology updates regarding the big 3 (Google, Bing and Yahoo) and how to best use their features to reach customers. Take for instance Google Ripples, this is an analytic system that allows you to see who is sharing your blog and public posts. This enables the blogger to see concentric circles of sharing networks, which better enables them to streamline and target their market.
Marketing over Coffee offers digital marketing tips for the 21st century professional. It’s target audience includes entrepreneurs and marketing staff that have some working knowledge of digital sharing as well as the desire to expand their business.
5 Nov 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
Learning Matters http://learningmatters.tv/blog/category/podcasts/ is a comprehensive educational website that offers a variety of educational podcasts. It features such podcasts as “EdCast” the podcast of Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and Chicago Preschool’s Podcast.
Learning Matters also features podcasts from art teachers and education administrators from across the country. It offers the listener a variety of subjects, teaching tips and viewpoints – from teacher to administrator. For example, administrators can benefit from the podcast options because they offer real time coverage of school districts in different states. This may help administrators and educators develop new ideas for curriculum, budget cycles and every day educational concerns.
4 Nov 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
Here is my is the promo podcast for BUSE at Bowling Green State University. Hope you enjoy!
WS500021
31 Oct 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
Chapter 3 states that podcasting is a highly educational tool that challenges students to investigate, design, create and teach (p.50). Not only is podcasting a great instructional aide – but it engages students to learn through the technological level that they expect.
Pod and Vod casting use methods of communication that many students are already familiar with. This familiarity can be seen as a welcomed aspect to an otherwise ‘boring’ assignment. Because the audience aspect is also a component of podcasting, students are compelled to investigate their topic and creatively deliver their knowledge on the subject. Through a carefully designed podcast, students are able to teach their peers and other listeners.
Just the structure of the podcasting process is greatly beneficial to a student that intends to work in an office. Whether that office be in a local news station or small business, an individual that knows how to package information in a concise and appealing manner is valuable to any company. It demonstrates the ability to complete a project, communicate effectively and operate computer software productively and responsibly. The business community can only stand to gain from a workforce that is effective in web communication through podcasting.
22 Oct 2011
Author: Cynthia | Filed under: Business and Technology in Education
We’ve read about some of the benefits of blogging like information literacy, reflective practices and peer interaction to name a few. Blogging as an educational strategy has been proven to motivate and engage students in grades k-12. In chapter 2, we reviewed using ‘microblogs’ (i.e., Twitter) in education as a way to develop powerful social connections, personal learning communities and real-time response/feedback.
The possibilities seem endless. Our youth expect technologically progressive environments, they’ve been trained as consumers and tech babies to operate in a virtual world. But what about adult learners? Career and technical education is built upon the concept that education is a life-long process. As a matter of fact, the Policies Commission of Business and Economic Education (PCBEE) stated that adults should continue to seek educational opportunities to stay competitive in the workforce (Policy 27, 1997).
With that being said:
What unique challenges could blogging present to adult learners? Do young and adult learners share the same benefits of personal learning communities? If so, how so? If not, why not?
For more information on adult learning and technology, check out the link below!