technically speakingSusanne Peckham susanne@techdirections.comI recently read a great article authored by thelieutenant governor of Massachusetts. As a guestcolumnist for The Metrowest Daily, Timothy Murray wroteto inform the public about the benefits and successesof his state’s technical schools, which he describes as“high schools where admission is competitive, wheremastery is the standard not just time spent in class,where community and business partnerships augmentschool budgets, and where students are prepared for thechallenges of the global economy.”Murray goes on to describe enrollment numbersthat attest to a growing interest in tech schools—forexample, 821 students applying for 400 spots at Worcester<strong>Tech</strong>nical High. In recent years, Massachusetts techschools have seen roughly twice as many applications asavailable openings. “Students and their families are votingwith their feet—beating a path to the vocational-technicalschool yards,” Murray says.According to school superintendents around thestate, parents and students are realizing that today’stech school model expands, rather than limits, students’career opportunities. Parents and students “see a highlystructured, disciplined, and safe environment that helpsstudents excel,” Murray writes.Having worked with and toured many tech schools,Murray has come to see them as “dynamic places, wherestudents are engaged and inspired. Learning is applied,not theoretical, helping students see the relevance oftheir course and project work to their future success.”He goes on to write: “Education experts say publicschools today must teach students 21st-century skills toprepare them to compete in aglobal economy. Beyond thebasic academics, 21st-centuryskills include the abilityto work in teams, to thinkcritically and solve problems,to use technology, and beable to communicate effectively. . . . These skills are mosteffectively taught through project-based learning, withclear accountability standards and opportunities forstudents to hone their leadership and communicationskills. That is the vocational model in Massachusetts.”Murray calls for expanding the availability oftechnical education so that “all qualified studentshave the opportunity to pursue their passion.” Afternoting progress in recent years with strengthening theacademic components of technical programs, he closesby writing: “Policy makers need to take note, however,that enhancing academics must not come at the expenseof student time spent developing their skills or trade.Academics are vital, but equally important is learninghow to work on a team, in a real-world environment, withtechnology relevant to today’s economy. . . . That’s thecore of the vocational experience, and it’s a lesson thevocational schools could teach some of our traditionalhigh schools.”A Prakken Publications MagazineDigital <strong>Tech</strong> <strong>Directions</strong> (ISSN 1940-3100) is published monthly,except June and July, by Prakken Publications, Inc., 832 PhoenixDrive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Executive, editorial, and advertisingoffices are at PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623, telephone734-975-2800; fax 734-975-2787. Vol. 68, No. 2.Board of Directors Turalee A. Barlow, George F. Kennedy,Janice E. Knope , Susanne PeckhamPublisher George F. KennedyAssistant Publisher & Business Mgr. Turalee A. Barlow,tbarlow@techdirections.comManaging Editor Susanne Peckham, susanne@techdirections.comAssociate Editor Pam Moore, pam@techdirections.comArt, Design, and Production Manager Sharon K. MillerAdvertising Sales RepresentativesTonya L. White, 800-530-9673 x209, tonya@techdirections.comMatt Knope, 800-530-9673 x200, matt@techdirections.comRichard J. Alden, 603-899-3010, fax: 603-899-2343. rjalden@techdirections.comDavid A. Yetman, 603-878-4705;dyetman@techdirections.comSubscription Dept. Vanessa Revelli, vanessa@techdirections.com, 800-530-9673 x217EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDMichael Fitzgerald, <strong>Tech</strong>nology Education Specialist, Offi ce ofCareer and <strong>Tech</strong>nical Education, Indiana Dept. of Education,Indianapolis, INPaul Koontz, President, Denford Inc., Medina, OHEd Prevatt, School Specialist, National Center for ConstructionEducation and Research, Gainesville, FLJohn Roccanova, <strong>Tech</strong>nology Education, Webutuck Central School,Amenia, NYMark Schwendau, <strong>Tech</strong>nology Instructor, Kishwaukee College,Malta, ILKendall N. Starkweater, Executive Director,International <strong>Tech</strong>nologyEducation Association, Reston, VAPEER REVIEW BOARDGregory G. Belcher, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, <strong>Tech</strong>nical TeacherEducation, Pittsburg State University, KSDaniel M. Claiborne, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Industrial andEngineering <strong>Tech</strong>nology, Murray State University, KYSam Cotton, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Ball State University, Muncie,INRonald F. Gonzales, Ph.D., ASE, Program Chair, <strong>Tech</strong>nology TeacherEducation Professor, Brigham Young University, UTClarke Homoly, Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Aviation, University ofCentral Missouri, WarrensburgRobert T. Howell, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, <strong>Tech</strong>nology Studies, FortHays State University, KSRobert D. Mordini, Ed.D., Asst. Professor, <strong>Tech</strong>nology Studies, FortHays State University, KSRichard Phillips, Ed.D., Division Chair, <strong>Tech</strong>nologies Division,Mountain Empire Community College, VAJoseph Scarcella, Ph.D., Professor of Education, California StateUniversity, San BernadinoMark S. Schwendau, M.S., <strong>Tech</strong>nology Instructor, KishwaukeeCollege, Malta, ILBert Siebold, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Industrial & Engineering<strong>Tech</strong>nology, Murray State University, KYChris Zirkle, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, College of Education, Ohio StateUniversity, Columbus, OHSubscriptions: individuals: $30 per year; $55 two years; Canadianand foreign: add $10 per year. Canadian GST #R126213487. Singlecopies $3. Group rate for students in teacher-training insti-tutionsavailable upon request.Periodicals postage paid at Ann Arbor, MI, and additional mailingoffi ces. Printed in U.S.A.POSTMASTER: Please send change of address information to <strong>Tech</strong><strong>Directions</strong>, PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623.Manuscripts should be addressed to: Editor, <strong>Tech</strong> <strong>Directions</strong>, PO Box8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623. 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contentsSeptember 2008Vol. 68, No. 2ELECTRONICS12Easy-to-Implement Project Integrates Basic Electronicsand Computer ProgrammingBy Richard Johnson and Ray ShackelfordComputer programming and basic electronics are oftenconsidered two separate entities and consequently often taughtas completely separate subjects. But here, using a BASIC Stampdevelopment board, students fabricate digital circuits, then usePBASIC to write program code that will control the circuits thatthey have built.COMMUNICATION17Not Just for English Classes—Writing SkillsEssential in <strong>Tech</strong> Ed TodayBy Peter WorleyA survey of educators from a variety offields indicates that writing belongs in allcourses and that all teachers need to takeresponsibility for including some sort ofwriting project in their classes.CAREER DIRECTIONS20Fluid Power <strong>Tech</strong>nician By Pam MooreEverything students need to know aboutcareers for fluid power technicians—wages, responsibilities, skills needed,career advancement possibilities, andmore.INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY22High <strong>Tech</strong> High School Wins School Web Siteof the MonthSPECIAL FEATURE23page 12e-galleryMake classroom and lab purchases easier by referringto <strong>Tech</strong> <strong>Directions</strong>’ gallery of leading companiesavailable on the Web.COLUMNS4 <strong>Tech</strong>nically SpeakingSusanne Peckham7 Direct from WashingtonAnne C. Lewis8 The Report Susanne Peckham9 Mastering ComputersReid Goldsborough10 <strong>Tech</strong>nology’s PastDennis Karwatka11 <strong>Tech</strong>nology TodayAlan Pierce26 Product Central28 <strong>Free</strong> for the Asking30 More than Funpage 22About the cover: A student fabricates a digital circuit that will eventually becontrolled by student-written PBASIC program code. (See page 12.) Photocourtesy of Richard Johnson and Ray Shackelford. Cover design by SharonK. Miller.www.techdirections.com CONTENTS 5
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