U Blog 1

http://www.newhorizons.org/lifelong/workplace/billington.htm is an article about learning in the workplace. Because of the speedy change in both knowledge and technology we as adults can either keep on learning throughout life or just depend on our skills and knowledge and not worry about learning the new at all. This article explains seven important ways to keep people learning in the workplace starting when they are students. 1.) Make sure you have an environment were students feel safe and supported and where individual needs and uniqueness are honored. 2.) An environment that encourages intellectual freedom and experimentation and creativity. 3.) An environment that where faculty treats students as peers. 4.) Self-directed learning, where students take responsibility for their own learning and they work with faculty to design new learning programs. 5.) Pacing or intellectual challenge. Optimal pacing is challenging people just beyond their present level. 6.) Active involvement in learning instead of passive listening to lectures and 7.) regular feedback mechanisms about what works best for them and what they want and need to learn. By reading this article I gathered that if we start teaching these students at a younger age about learning and to keep on learning throughout life that they might take these techniques with them in to the workplace.

Trends In Workplace Learning

America's Workforce Needs in the 21st Century

Education and skills are more important in the new economy. In the new economy skill requirements are increasing in many industries, not just the so-called high-tech industries. The percentage of workers who use computers at work has risen from 25 percent in 1984, to 46 percent in 1993, to 75 percent today. More than half of the new jobs created between 1984 and 2005 will require some education beyond high school.

Companies Need To Do More to Provide Workers With Skills

Technology companies cannot simply rely on government and educational institutions to provide the skilled workers they need. Rather, companies must play a more central and engaged role in skill development. But just as importantly, public policy must be structured to encourage and facilitate such partnerships.

First blog

This is my blog for J444. I am new to blogger and this is pretty neat.