Tech Directions - March 2008 - (Page 2)

technically speaking Susanne Peckham susanne@techdirections.com In February, the Bush Administration released its Fiscal Year 2009 budget request. As in both FY 2006 and FY 2007, the Administration has proposed to eliminate funding for the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. (In FY 2008, President Bush called for cutting Perkins funding by 50 percent.) Once again, with the health of the economy and the future employment prospects of many of today’s students in mind, the Administration’s proposal makes little sense. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the 20 fastest-growing jobs in the near future will require CTErelated education. In the manufacturing industry, 90 percent of businesses are currently experiencing a moderate to severe shortage of skilled workers, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Manufacturers. (This, in spite of the fact that a typical manufacturing job pays around $60,000, according to industry figures.) According to the Southern Regional Education Board, the scores of students who attend schools with highly integrated rigorous academic and CTE programs show higher achievement in reading, math, and science than is seen in schools with less integrated programs. This makes students better prepared for rewarding careers while helping to address pressing needs of employers and the economy as a whole. Representatives of both the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc) call for increased support for CTE, noting that it is an integral part of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education and can contribute significantly to economic success. “Not only does CTE play a critical role in providing the necessary skills and knowledge for students to remain competitive in today’s work force, but it is an important part of school reform,” adds Janet Bray, ACTE executive director. “The programs are helping reduce dropout rates through engaging hands-on coursework that improves student understanding and application of academic knowledge.” NASDCTEc’s president, Rich Katt says, “At a time when we’re discussing the need for economic stimulus to avoid recession, we should be investing in programs that put Americans into the many high-skill, high-wage jobs that are available. Instead, we stand today in disappointment and disbelief than President Bush has decided to once again eliminate career and technical education, one of our nation’s leading work force and economic development programs.” In past years, Congress has stepped in to retain Perkins funding. Given the importance of CTE to our young people and our economy, they should see value in not just retaining CTE funnding, but even increasing it. A Prakken Publications Magazine Digital Tech Directions (ISSN 1940-3100) is published monthly, except June and July, by Prakken Publications, Inc., 832 Phoenix Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Executive, editorial, and advertising offices are at PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 481078623, telephone 734-975-2800; fax 734-975-2787. Vol. 67, No. 8. Board of Directors Turalee A. Barlow George F. Kennedy Janice E. Knope Susanne Peckham Publisher George F. Kennedy Assistant Publisher & Business Mgr. Turalee A. Barlow, tbarlow@techdirections.com Managing Editor Susanne Peckham, susanne@techdirections.com Associate Editor Pam Moore, pam@techdirections.com Art, Design, and Production Manager Sharon K. Miller Advertising Sales Representatives Tonya L. White, 800-5309673 x209, tonya@techdirections.com Richard J. Alden, 603-899-3010, fax: 603-899-2343. rjalden@ techdirections.com David A. Yetman, 603-878-4705;dyetman@techdirections.com Subscription Dept. Vanessa Revelli, vanessa@ techdirections.com, 800-530-9673 x217 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Michael Fitzgerald, Technology Education Specialist, Office of Career and Technical Education, Indiana Dept. of Education, Indianapolis, IN Tom Frawley, Technology Education, G. Ray Bodley High School, Fulton, NY, and journal editor, New York State Technology Teacher Paul Koontz, President, Denford Inc., Medina, OH Ed Prevatt, School Specialist, National Center for Construction Education and Research, Gainesville, FL John Roccanova, Technology Education, Webutuck Central School, Amenia, NY Mark Schwendau, Technology Instructor, Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL PEER REVIEW BOARD Gregory G. Belcher, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Technical Teacher Education, Pittsburg State University, KS Daniel M. Claiborne, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology, Murray State University, KY Sam Cotton, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Ball State University, Muncie, IN Ronald F. Gonzales, Ph.D., ASE, Program Chair, Technology Teacher Education Professor, Brigham Young University, UT Robert T. Howell, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Technology Studies, Fort Hays State University, KS Robert D. Mordini, Ed.D., Asst. Professor, Technology Studies, Fort Hays State University, KS Richard Phillips, Ed.D., Division Chair, Technologies Division, Mountain Empire Community College, VA Joseph Scarcella, Ph.D., Professor of Education, California State University, San Bernadino Mark S. Schwendau, M.S., Technology Instructor, Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL Bert Siebold, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Industrial & Engineering Technology, Murray State University, KY Chris Zirkle, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, College of Education, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH Subscriptions: individuals: $30 per year; $55 two years; Canadian and foreign: add $10 per year. Canadian GST #R126213487. Single copies $3. Group rate for students in teacher-training institutions available upon request. Periodicals postage paid at Ann Arbor, MI, and additional mailing offices. Printed in U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address information to Tech Directions, PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623. Manuscripts should be addressed to: Editor, Tech Directions, PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623. Manuscripts become property of Tech Directions upon letter of acceptance to author and signed copyright release form. Payment made on publication. Electronic copies of back issues available from ProQuest Information and Learning, www.il.proquest.com. Microform copies available from NAPC, www.napubco.com ©2008 by Prakken Publications, Inc. 2 techdirections ◆ MARCH 2008 http://www.il.proquest.com http://www.napubco.com

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Tech Directions - March 2008 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers HDTV—Understanding the New, Dealing with the Old Technical Studies Lead to Dream Career Fill and Fund Your CAD Classroom with These Exciting Strategies STEM Progress in Katrina’s Wake School Web Site of the Month Spring Spotlight More than Fun

Tech Directions - March 2008

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