Tech Directions - November 2007 - (Page 2)

technically speaking Susanne Peckham susanne@techdirections.com Support and encouragement for our fields keep showing up in unexpected places. The most recent, “Schools as Scapegoats,” in the October issue of The American Prospect, addresses the tendency of countless policymakers over the past 20-some years to blame American education in general for far too many of the nation’s woes. Authors Lawrence Mishel (see also “Direct from Washington,” page 7) and Richard Rothstein, president and research associate, respectively, at the Economic Policy Institute, trace the beginning of “[t]he modern obsession with schools as the cause and cure of our economic problems” to the release of the A Nation at Risk report in 1983. They quote the report: “Our once unchallenged preeminence in commerce, industry, science, and technological innovation is being overtaken by competitors throughout the world. . . . The educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a Nation. . . .” The views expressed in A Nation at Risk and reports that followed faulted inadequacies in American education for our inability to compete in the new global economy. Reformers called for a dramatic increase in high-level skills, a focus on the academics, and four-year college for most. Providing students with high-level, high-tech skills and knowledge would allow them to successfully meet the global challenge. But, now, the authors note, even high-tech jobs are being off-shored and many college graduates feel financially insecure (and a good number take jobs that require only a high school education). We see the limits of the “education-fueled transition to the information age . . . . [C]ollege education and computer skills do not insulate Americans from globalization’s downsides.” Mishel and Rothstein do call for continually improving schools and upgrading skills and knowledge. But they note that school reform alone cannot “address Americans’ economic insecurity and solve globalization’s political problems.” Mishel and Rothstein close by defending American education in general from those who would scapegoat it—and call for renewed support for CTE: “These are not problems that can be solved by charter schools, teacher accountability, or any other school intervention. A balanced human capital policy would involve schools, but would require tax, regulatory, and labor market reforms as well. To take only one example, in the daze of collegefor-all, what used to be called “vocational” or “career” education has been discredited. It should be brought back. We recently analyzed a group of 21st-century occupations not requiring a college education that . . . still provide middle class incomes. These include firefighters, electricians, machinists, aircraft engine mechanics, electronic technicians, licensed practical nurses, and clinical laboratory technicians.” Policymakers and education reformers, take note. 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. 4. 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. Jan Bergey, jan@techdirections.com, 800-530-9673 x215 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 ©2007 by Prakken Publications, Inc. 2 techdirections ◆ NOVEMBER 2007 http://www.il.proquest.com http://www.napubco.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - November 2007

Tech Directions - November 2007 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers Video Game Programmers Learn to “Pitch” Project Teaches Students to Diagnose an Ailing Windows OS See the Math with Your Binoculars! Fire Safety Technician ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo Hands-On Activities More than Fun

Tech Directions - November 2007

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