[geeks] New Tech Schools: Digital Harbor in Baltimore

[Brian Dunbar]

Kevin R. Marshall wrote:
> I heard something on WLRN this morning about high schools getting smaller and more focused on providing a "major" for their students.  They used "Digital Harbor" as an example.  Apparently, it's a school in the Baltimore area that focuses on technology as well as a few other areas.  The played a sound clip from the classroom to give you an idea of what the kids would be learning.  In this sound clip, the teacher said the following, "I want you all to log into Word".
> 
> Log into Word?  How do you "log into" Word?  There's no permissions system.  Word isn't authenticating me based any supplied credentials.  Now i know why my users look confused when i ask them if they have successfully logged into their workstations.  
> 
> If teachers in the 2007 can't figure out the correct terminology/vernacular surrounding something as simple as starting an application, then we're screwed from the get go.
> 
> /KRM
'
I'm more distressed about them teaching 'Word'.  Not a MS bias but
observation that 'teaching office automation' usually involves
memorizing 'how-to' run MS Office and not, say, the broad concepts
behind the thing.

Contrast that with the typing and 'office automation' courses I took in
high school as 'just in case' courses.  We used IBM Selectrics and
10-key adding machines but what we learned was 'how to' manage the
paperwork that runs a business.

I suppose I'm just a grumpy old man.  Bah.

-- 
Brian Dunbar
System Administrator
Liftport - The Space Elevator Company

brian.dunbar at liftport.com
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