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Knowledge, Aptitudes, and Attitudes Central to the Success of
High School Students Entering Post-Secondary
Technical Education Programs
Source: Illinois State University, ProBase, targeted to 11th and 12th grades, designed to develop a technical foundation for post-secondary community college technician fields.
http://www.probase.ilstu.edu/bridges.shtml
Through a series of facilitated focus groups, technology educators identified specific knowledge, aptitudes, and attitudes that they deemed central to the success of high school students entering post-secondary technical education programs. Categorical and individual frequency counts were then utilized to merge the collected data into categories of representative bridge competencies.
Technical Mathematics and Physical Sciences
- The ability to practically apply and utilize technical mathematics including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and Boolean mathematics
- The ability to perform unit conversions (metric-imperial, decimals, percentages, ratios, binary-base 10, etc.)
- A general understanding of the physical sciences including anatomy, biology,
chemistry, and physics
Communications
- Reading: the ability to comprehend technical documents (i.e. articles, blueprints, spreadsheets, plans, numbers, terminology)
- Writing: the ability to write coherently, properly present technical information, and create effective documents, including resumes, memos, field notes, portfolios, and lab reports
- Speaking: effective oral communication skills, including the ability to deliver
presentations and conduct interviews
- Listening: effective aural communication skills, including paying attention when others
are speaking, listening to instructions, and discerning the relevant importance of what
was heard
- Preparation skills and strategies: effective note taking, studying, and test taking
skills and strategies
Computer Skills
- Basic computer literacy, including an understanding of computer usage, general
hardware familiarity, file system management and maintenance, navigation of
Windows, and the installation of software
- Software literacy, including the ability to use word processing, spreadsheet,
presentation, and scheduling software to manipulate data and prepare technical documents (reports, charts, graphs, flowcharts, and engineering diagrams)
- The ability to utilize Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to create basic
engineering drawings
- An understanding of local and wide area networks (LANS and WANS), including the Internet's world wide web, email, search engines, and information databases
Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills
- The ability to trouble-shoot and problem solve using critical and creative thinking techniques including estimation, interpretation, observation, analysis, and pattern recognition
Utilize hands-on technical instruments in the research, design, development, and assessment of technologies
- Equipment and tools: an understanding of and ability to utilize basic equipment and machinery including both hand and power tools
- Manual drafting skills, including knowledge of drafting symbols and the ability to create basic engineering drawings
- The ability to determine physical measurements such as lengths and volumes, using various measuring tools, including rulers, calipers, and micrometers
- An understanding of power systems, including internal combustion engines and
electrical motors, electronics, the principles of electricity, and the ability to perform electronic measurement and testing
- Understand the importance of and adhere to the rules of laboratory and workplace safety
Social Competencies
- Understand real-world business environments and how technical literacy and technical skills interface society including knowledge of field-specific systems and processes, marketing, finances, ecological, governmental, and political influences
- An appreciation for the importance of being a responsible member of the community
and a demonstrable understanding of the importance of attendance, setting goals,
and being reliable to complete assigned tasks
- The ability to work effectively as part of a team, including being able to manage
projects and utilize a team approach to problem solving
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