Suggested Objective a: Research the Information Technology career cluster

There are 16 national career clusters. One career cluster that we will investigate now is the Information Technology area. Click the links below to learn more about this field.

Information Technology by CareerTech.org (Links to an external site.)has several files that provide information for plans of study and knowledge and skills requirements. As you look at this page, notice there are 5 broad areas in this cluster. Each has its own plan of study and knowledge and skills statements that are downloadable.

The O*NET Online (Links to an external site.)website allows one to view careers based on areas inside theInformation Technologycareer cluster. Look at the various occupations in this cluster. Notice the "category" in which the occupation falls. When you click on the link for the occupation, detailed information for job descriptions, requirements, and skills are provided.

Information Technology Career Cluster

Information Technology Careers Preview

Computer and Information Scientists, Research

Suggested Objective b: Link the Information Technology career cluster to the skills associated with

computing fundamentals

The University of Washington posted on its website various skills that are required to be successful in the Information Technology. The skills include the ability to perform technical analysis, perform web programming, manage a web environment, and more. Look at the site to see various critical skill areas and the information for each.

Educause posted the following document on its website. It was retreived from https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/pub7006e.pdf on September 10, 2014. Notice as you view the file that it provides basic skills needed to work in IT. A projection of employability and technical skills is given. As you read, you will see the trend towards e-commerce. The document is a little dated. However, the information on skill sets needed for success is still accurate.

Educause Document.pdf

Finally, Grantham University posted The 10 Hottest Information Technology Skills for 2013. Look at the 10 areas mentioned. Do any interest you?

Let's watch a video from Mississippi Public Broadcasting. It is approximately 27 minutes long.

Information Technology| Job Hunter | MPB

Suggested Objective c: Define and illustrate computer system terminology

According to Dictionary.com, technology means "the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science." Copied August 12, 2014, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/technology.

Use of Technology explains how technology is used for problem solving. It is also used for communication. The point is that technology (materials organized in some form to be useful) meets needs. Read the article and look at examples of technology and how it is used.

Evolution of Dance - by Judson Laipply

Watch this video of obsolete or outdated dance moves. These are moves that were years ago but are no longer "performed." As you watch (and laugh) at some of them, think of technology devices in the same idea. Some machines that were used years ago are no longer used because they are obsolete.

Outdated technology is called obsolete. In other words, the technology has been adapted to something newer or completely unused. Look at 22 Obsolete Technologies that People Thought Would Last Forever. Do you recall seeing any of these?

View the PowerPoint below. Can you guess what replaced the pictured items?

Obsolete Technologies.ppt

As technology become obsolete, other technology is being developed or updated. This new technology is called emerging technology. Look at the definition of emerging technology from Stevens-Henager College copied August 12, 2014, from http://www.stevenshenager.edu/blog/what-is-emerging-technology.

"Emerging technology is a relative term, because someone may see a technology as emerging and others may not see it the same way. According to BusinessDictionary.com, emerging technology is a new technology that is currently being developed, or will be developed within the next five to ten years. The new technology will substantially alter the business and social environment; the technology will include information technology, wireless data communications, man-machine communications, on-demand printing, bio-technologies, and advanced robotics."

Items considered emerging change from year to year. What might appear on a list this year as emerging will likely not appear on a list for emerging technology two years later. Technology is constantly changing and quickly. Be prepared to stay abreast of change and expect it. Change will be a constant with regard to technology.

The video below displays emerging technology for 2014.

SIGGRAPH 2014: Emerging Technologies Preview Trailer

Suggested Objective d: Identify the four operating functions of a computer system (input, processing, storage, output)

Mathbits.com provides information with a diagram of The Four Equipment Functions of a Computer System. Look at the four functions and their descriptions. Notice the picture. It contains some computer components that perform a function.

1. Input

2. Processing

3. Storage

4. Output

Computer Help: What Are the 4 Basic Functions of a Computer?

Basic Computer Parts and Functions

Suggested Objective e: Differentiate between hardware and software and their purposes

Computers and computer technology are ever changing. However, some "parts" are standard. Let's look at the computer more closely.

Computer Basics: What Is a Computer?

Getting to Know Computers is a four page website that explains in simple terms the two basic parts of a computer. A brief history of computers is explained. You will even see the progression of computers over time. Look at how large computers were years ago compared to what they are today.

Basic Parts of a Desktop Computer explains the basic parts of a computer. Most people have a monitor, mouse, and keyboard when using a computer. However, there are other devices that can be used as well. Look at the pages to learn more about each of the Basic Parts of a Desktop Computer.

Buttons, Sockets, and Slots on a Desktop Computer shows in detail what each of the various slots and "holes" of a computer look like and can do. Look at the information provided to see which devices can be plugged into a particular area of a computer. Pay close attention to how the ports look. Many devices can plug into a computer in one way only. Page 3 of this section has an interactive game you can play to plug in various computer components. Try it!

Inside a Desktop Computer has a video showing the inside of a computer. Watch the video. Then learn more about each of the parts and see pictures of the various internal pieces of the computer.

Let's watch a video about computer hardware basics.

Computer Basics: Hardware

Understanding Operating Systems explains over 7 web pages what an operating system (OS) is. The OS is the software the computer uses to manage the hardware and software. It also enables a user to interact successfully with the computer using a graphical user interface (GUI). The three most common OSs are Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Several tutorials are included on the pages for each of these three OSs.

Computer Basics: Understanding Operating Systems

Understanding Applications explains what application software is. Several types of application software are shown with how these software programs are used. Pay attention to the information introducing file extensions.

Computer Basics: Understanding Applications

Look at the Types of Software document. It presents various common software applications and their uses. Most all of these will be used this school year in this course. Look at the table at the bottom of the page. File in the Best Types of Software and Software in the Technology Foundations Lab columns using the information on the sheet and what software we have on the computer in this lab that you will use. We will compare answers as a group shortly.

Lawrence Abrams explains what file extensions are. Look at the page to see various audio, video, image and application extensions. He even shows how to change file extensions. The end of the page provides several further readings if you would like more information on this topic.

File Types and Extensions

Suggested Objective f: Identify various types of software and how each is developed and upgraded

According to Answers.com there are three types of software. They are operating system software, network software, and application software.

Operating system software aids the computer with booting and using various computer hardware. Types of operating system software includes Windows, Linux, and Mac.

Network software allows a computer to connect with other computers for sharing of resources and information.

Application software is software a computer user would use to complete a task or create something.

Buzzle takes the software discussion a little deeper. This site includes software such as malware (bad software created by people to harm a computer and the information stored on it), adware, utility software, and more. Look to see the different types of software mentioned on this page. Information is provided about software licensing. At the bottom of the page are links that will provide more in-depth information on types of software and the advantages and disadvantages of the types of software.

Computer Hope has a Computer Software Listing. Hundreds of software names are listed. You can see what type of software is by its name and the company which produces the software. Take a look at the site to see what software names and their "functions" you recognize.

Computer Hope also discusses what a computer upgrade is. An upgrade is different from an update. Look at the information from Computer Hope for software Upgrade.

Apple provides an easy to follow and understand explanation for an update and upgrade. Take a look!

Computer Software: Software Basics (03:01) Introduction to Computers

Software and Its Types