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Soft Skills are Real Skills

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I believe that no matter what career you may have, being personable will always play an important role – regardless of if you work alone or on a team. Even if your interactions with people are far and in between, you must know how to handle them. You may have all the technical skills that an employer is looking for, but if you can’t make it through an interview, phone call, or even an email, how much will those skills matter? David Deming, a professor of education and economics at the Graduate School of Education and a professor of education and public policy and the Kennedy School stated, “Engineers and computer programmers are still needed, but positions in which they might do the bulk of their work alone in a cubicle are giving way to more team-based, project-based approaches.” Alexander Lyon talks about the difference between verbal and nonverbal communication. Verbal communication includes, “your ability to communicate clearly and concisely”. Nonverbal communication includes, “the
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Putting Humanity in Human-Centered Designs and Technology

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Human-centered technology has us, the end-users, in mind. It responds to our needs, desires, and wishes. It also helps create a more inclusive world. Being equitable means knowing everyone has the same goal but may not require the same paths to get there. In the Youtube Video "What Is Human-Centered Design?" it defines HUD as "a creative approach to problem-solving... When you understand the people you are trying to reach and then design from their perspective, not only will you arrive at unexpected answers, but you'll come up with ideas that they'll embrace." We shouldn’t assume that everyone utilizes information, technology, and equipment the same way. A child’s toothbrush is an example of a tool with everyday use. Although a child may be able to use an adult toothbrush, it would be much less effective. Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better if it does not fit in the child’s mouth. Now, let’s take it to the next level. I practice independence with my chi
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Can We Close the Technology Gap?

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The digital divide is defined as, “the economic, education, and social inequalities between those who have computers and online access and those who do not” (Merriam-Webster). It can vary from country to country, city to city, to even our next-door neighbors. Although we live in a technologically advanced country, not everyone has the same accessibility to the digital world.  The Affordable Connectivity Program was created in 2021. It helped enroll qualifying households with a $30 monthly credit toward broadband service. The program also sells laptops, tablets, and computers at a low cost. However, there is still the issue of not having the funds to be able to purchase the devices. Libraries can be a great free asset to solve both issues if someone has access to one.    Digital inclusion would allow more people to have access to digital literacy, jobs, and online learning/school. But how do we close the gap? Wolske notes that “digital inclusion and equity is more than an individual iss
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How Secure is Cybersecurity?

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Passwords, passcodes, facial recognition, and touch ID. These are all examples of ways to protect ourselves from not only the cyber world but from real-life personal invasions as well. These, among many others, are our first line of defense against hackers and unauthorized access to our personal information. When creating a password, there are often set criteria that must be met for it to be considered “strong”. 8-12 characters, at least one uppercase letter, numbers, and one special character. But with the advancement of hackers, malware, and viruses, how can we ensure that we are protecting ourselves to the best of our ability?   In Demystifying Technology, it’s stated that “depending on the technology being used, it’s possible that as we observe our own or others’ uses of the technology, our behaviors are shaped by the choices being made in that use. And it may be that we begin shaping our choices to further shape behavior.” (Wolske, page 55). AI (artificial intelligence) is increas
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Why Does Inclusion Matter with Technology?

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There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to technology and technological advancements. The end goal may be the same for everyone, but the journey there can be substantially different.  When I was 19, one of my best friends was in a near-fatal accident. He is now paralyzed from the waist down and has limited mobility with his hands. At the time, he felt that he had lost all of his independence and would never be able to do anything by himself. Technology was a great way for all of us to adapt and remind our friend that no matter the situation, he is still his own person and does not have to be entirely dependent on others.  With the accessibility of iPhones, we are able to text, Facetime, and call each other with ease by utilizing dictation. Mario Toboso states that there are different models when it comes to disability. There is medical, social, and diversity. Each model challenges the way that we look at disabilities to find ways to intertwine and "contribute to society if (th
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Are You Integrating Technology into Your Time Management?

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Technology is a great implement to utilize when it comes to time management. It can help one manage their schedules, to-do lists, appointments, events, appointments, etc. There are numerous applications out there, and you can find one that works best for you, depending on what you want to use it for. Some applications integrate with each other as well. For example, I use the calendar on my iPhone. If I receive an even through an email or text, I’ll get a pop-up that automatically allows me to add it to my calendar. When I’m working, I use Outlook to manage meetings and events with my team. We’ll send out “events” that you can either accept or deny and based off of the selection, it will be added to the calendar. I used to always use my planner and at times, I do miss being able to physically write down reminders for myself. However, my planner was not something I always had with me, unlike my phone. Having all my scheduled events at my fingertips gives me the ability to not overboo
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Go Out of Your Way to Find Your Way

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Critical thinking is the process of analyzing and applying information, demanding “a high level of concentration because it requires logic, clarity, and independent thinking.” Stone, M. (2014). In  Own your education!: A student's guide to greater success in school (and life) . essay, Pearson Education. It’s a methodical method we utilize in all parts of our day-to-day life, from deciding what will be for dinner, to what that underlying sound is from our car to what job career path we want to take.  Being able to see the bigger picture is something can set the foundation for where your life goes. This is also important when it comes to IT – you must be able to have a clear understanding of cause and effect.   When applying for a job in tech, there are many different directions you can go, depending on what your interests are. By using critical thinking skills, you can narrow down what would be best for you. In YouTube. (2022).  Choosing the Best Tech Career for You: How to Ch
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