Immokalee Technical Center ~ iTECH
Program Description
The Computer Systems Technology program is designed to provide real world relevant training. In the program students receive training on hardware and software for multiple types of personal computers. Included is training on operating systems by Microsoft, Apple and the Ubuntu distribution of linux. The training covers from basic to advanced concepts dealing with setup, configuration, maintenance, optimization, troubleshooting, and repair.
This week we developed personal growth plans using the resources from SkillsUSA. You can see what they did by looking at their blogs on the "students' sites" page. I hope and I think that they will develop an appreciation for this strategy not just while working through their programs, but in their careers in general.
My students (and administrators too!) were surprised earlier this year with a visit from the Education Foundation, now known as Champions for Education.
The idea is to start a technology club for girls.
I have been wanting to do this for a long time. However, there was never the time or the right opportunity. In fact, at the beginning of this school year, I sat down with my administrators to plan my year and ask for the things I wanted. One of the biggest things I needed was guidance. I have so many things I want to do, including this technology club. But, I knew that I had to figure out the whole classroom thing. So as excited as my Principal and Assistant-Principal were about the club we decided to let me get my act together and we would do it in 6 months.
Today we recognized in class three students who passed an MTA on the first try as a Pre-Test.
First we want to recognize Manuel, one of my Dual Enrollment students. He is very quiet, but he works hard and has an aptitude for the subject. Way to go Manuel!
Next is Eva. She has been with me since the summer and is also a very hard worker. Eva has the drive to make herself successful and is dedicated to learning as much as she can in class. She put her knowledge from her A+ and other training to work to prove she knows her stuff!
Finally we have Peniel. Peniel is also very task oriented and is the furthest along in the curriculum. If I don't watch out he may graduate with more certifications than me.
Take note everyone. (Including me.) These are the individuals that will be your boss one day. And on that day, I will be the happiest of all.
One of my students, Eva, participated in the VentureX startup battle recently. I am really excited for her because she took advantage of a wonderful opportunity to meet like minded people in the area and work with them. She likened the experience to going to Disney World only more fun! I gave her a ton of extra credit for it. (She did spend an entire weekend there.) But let us be honest. Look at Eva's blog; she does not really need the credit.
I'd like to encourage all my students to take advantage of opportunities like this. Graduation time will come quickly enough and practicing your networking skills now when it is less of a risk than when you are actually looking for a job is invaluable. Besides, you may meet someone who would like for you to intern or better yet work for them and complete your program doing on-the-job-training.
Salman Khan was recently interviewed on NPR's Talk of the Nation. I have been trying to integrate the concept into my classroom. However, I find it hard to do in an economically challeged area like Immokalee where all my students might not have access to a computer and higb speed internet at home.
Listen to the interview and let me know your thoughts on the concept of lectures and learning. Is it a thing of the past?
Check out Khan's Academy to see the concept for yourself.
