I just watched a mind blowing video on YouTube entitled 'Do you know...". It was talking about technology and future advances. There were so many interest facts in this short little 6 minute clip. One of the topics that they touched on was the fact that the information that college students learn today will be outdated in less than 2 years. Scary to think about, considering we pay such a high price for education.
Knowing these facts, I think that a college student needs to have some specific traits. Flexibility - you are learning 'book smarts' now but be flexible when the job throws 'street smarts' at you. Quick learner - as technology changes, you will have to make changes too. You are going to have to be able to learn new technology quickly. Patience - as you continually learn new technology you are going to need patience - with yourself and others. These are just a few traits that I was thinking about, but there are so many more.
Some important things I think you will need to know how to do - basic computer skills. I think that technology builds on itself, if you learn the basics now, as stuff advances - you will be one step ahead. Learn everything you can about the technology currently available, and possibly as new stuff becomes available you will be able to understand it easier.
The question was asked -How can college better prepare students for this new reality? I am not sure how to answer this question. I think that colleges can only prepare you for so much. Maybe colleges could expose you to all types of technology, let students get their hands of equipment. I understand that all of that takes money, but I think it would help. I think computer classes are great to lay technology foundations. I am not sure what else colleges can do to prepare students for the awareness of ever changing technology.
