Communication and Technology

A Typical Technology Day

•Checking the school lunch menu•Language Arts class- creating a

commercial, writing a paper, taking a quiz•Research topics•Watching an online virtual dissection•Listening to iPod and texting•Accessing teacher websites for homework•Logging on to Facebook and MySpace•What's your typical technology day look

like?

Communication

•The sharing of thoughts, opinions, and information with other people

•Being a skilled communicator will be much easier for you to be successful in school and careers

Technology•Tools that people make •The ways of using tools to make life better and

easier•Technology affects everything in our lives- work,

play, live•YOU need technology to be successful in your

studies•Can you imagine school without computers?•Without cell phones? DVDs? mp3 players?•Its safe to predict that in the future, if you have

good technology skills, you’ll have a better chance of success in your career.

Technology and Careers•Almost every career involves technology in

some way•There are new careers calling for expert

technology skills every year•Years ago, there was no job as a “web

designer”, now its one of the fastest growing jobs

•Existing careers have changed because of technology

•Doctors now rely on extremely sophisticated computer systems and devices to treat patients

Changes Over Time•Automobile mechanics- Hand tools vs. electronic

systems and computers

•Meteorologists- predictions on simple observations vs. sophisticated computer models

•Food servers-note pad vs. hand held devices

•Broadcast technicians- analog vs. digital

• Journalists-taking notes vs. laptop computers and wireless- digital cameras

Elimination of jobs

•Dangerous or unpleasant jobs•Robots are used in welding and riveting•Humans are used for quality control to

monitor computers that run machines•Robots clean toxic waste and defuse

bombs•Operators are no longer needed to place

long distance calls

Productivity• Economists ( people who study economy) agree technology has a

direct, positive impact on productivity of workers in manufacturing and industry

• Productivity- ability to be productive, to produce a great deal, to measure the level of output.

• Productivity is increased there are more items

• Technology has impacted productivity as a student

• Internet allows research and reports easier

• Video cameras and multimedia software makes presentations more complex than markers and poster board

Technology Tools• Spreadsheet- helps organize information into rows and columns of cells

▫ Cells contain words, a number or formula. You can automatically make charts and graphs

• Database- organized collection of information. Virtual box of cards to search, sort, and analyze▫ Create reports, lists, and labels

• Mp3 player- Stores music, podcasts, videos

• Multimedia- way to present information (text, images, sound) In a multimedia format as a video

• Digital camera- record image electronically; can see image immediately (still or video cameras)

• Email- sending messages from one computer to another through a network

• Internet- network of networks; connects millions of computers around the world; can explore sites, send/receive email, and participate in live chats

• Media- movies, newspapers, radio, magazines, TV, and Internet

Technology Tools• Word Processing- software that creates written document

• World Wide Web- consists of pages linked to each other around the world▫ Use a browser to access the Internet and explore the Web

• Laptop Computers- portable computers that can go anywhere▫ Can connect wirelessly to Internet if you are near a hotspot-internet access

• Teleconferencing- meeting with another person who is geographically distant from you.

• Scanners- turn visual information into digital data

• PDA- small handheld computer that holds calendars, addresses, and notes; can send and receive email

• Cell Phones- two way radios that connect to cellular towers▫ Play music, videos, access Internet, function as a camera, or calculators, make

calls, text• Mass Communication-communicating with many people at one time

Applying for a Job•Communication skills are essential for finding

a job•Written Documents:

▫Write a resume▫Resume- summary of your experience and

qualifications for employment▫Cover Letter-accompanies a resume and is an

introduction to a potential employer

Writing a Resume Overview•Should be ONE page•Purpose: convince employer to interview for position•Should have:

▫Personal- name, address, phone, email▫Objective- What job are you looking for▫Education- Schools and special trainings▫Experience- List all jobs and volunteer work▫Activities and Honors- Activities and honors or

recognitions▫References- Two people who know you and your

ability ( not family) Teachers and past employers are good references

Resume Example

•http://jobsearch.about.com/od/sampleresumes/a/resume-examples-profession.htm

•Specific to type of profession

Writing a Cover Letter Overview

•Business letter format

•Paragraph 1- Interest in a specific job

•Paragraph 2- Describe skills/experience that makes you an excellent candidate for job

•Paragraph 3- When you will contact employer or how they can contact you. Thank the employer.

Cover Letter Example

•http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettersamples/a/coverformat.htm

•http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettersamples/a/cover-letter-layout.htm

•Email cover letter: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/coverlettersamples/a/emailcovertemplate.htm

•Examples of cover letters

Interviews•Job application- Series of questions about

your life•Two types of interviews:

▫Formal, structured interview- meet in an office and respond to questions that were prepared in advance

▫Unstructured interview- informal; more like a conversation

Interviews•Speaking-

▫Anticipate questions▫Rehearse a few answers▫Show enthusiasm for job▫Respond positively and honestly ▫Speak warmly and confidently▫Greet the person by name▫Answer in full sentences▫Make eye contact▫Don’t use slang words▫Thank the interviewer as you leave▫Write a thank you email or note

Interviews

•Listening▫Listen carefully▫Make eye contact▫Don’t fiddle with your hands▫Don’t tap your feet▫Don’t interrupt

Sample Interview Questions

•Who will I be working with?•What education is required for job?•What is the dress code?

•Don’t want to ask:▫Do I get a lunch break?▫Is it fun?▫If I am late what will happen?

Non-Verbal Skills

•Relax•Shake hands firmly•Smile when you meet the interviewer•Maintain a pleasant and confident facial

expression•Look directly at the interviewer•Don’t cross arms/ lean back in chair•Sit up straight•Never chew gum•Dress conservatively