1. Internet Search - students need
to know how to do a proper internet search, using search terms and modifiers.
This skill is needed for school, work and life in general.
2. Office Suite Skills - students
need to now how to create, edit, and modify documents, presentations, and
spreadsheets. Businesses still use MS Office for the most part, but iWorks,
OpenOffice / LibreOffice, and Google
Docs are all getting more popular. They all work similarly so the
learning curve when switching isn't that big.
3. Self learning of tech and where to go for
help - knowing how to search a help menu on software or hardware,
where to go to find user forums for help, and where to find the manual for
technology is a huge skill that many do not know about.
6. Netiquette - Internet/Email/Social Media
etiquette - proper way to use the internet, write professional
emails, use social media in relation to your job (not complaining about the
boss).
5. Social Media - how to properly
use social media for school and work, how to protect yourself on it, the issues
of cyberbullying, connecting with others in your profession (PLN).
4. Typing - yes, typing. I can get much more work done
since I know how to type, then people who don't.
7. Security and Safety -
antivirus, spam, phishing, too much personal information sharing, stalkers, and
more are all issues they need to know about.
8. Hardware basics and troubleshooting - knowing what
different parts of technology are called, how to make minor fixes, and how to do
basic troubleshooting for WiFi, networks, OS won't load, etc
9. Backup data - with all of the
data that students create for school and work, it is important to back it up and
have access to it at any time
10. Finding apps and software -
how to find, evaluate, and use apps for school and business. Also, how to find
quality, free alternatives to paid software, apps and services.
Gateway source for all students: high school and college composition and journalism and student of life. Bookmark this source and then bookmark the hyperlinks in this article. Do you have the 10 (11 for the bonus) tech skills down? I certainly can improve in some of these areas.
This blog offers ideas for using twitter in education from becoming local journalists to playing twrivia or plinky. It also recommends using the tool to follow topic experts and extend learning. While I haven't really embraced twitter as one of my favorites, this article gives some interesting ideas.