The article stated that VCDs would be beneficial because they would allow more information to be learned by the student or individual. As a society, we have become more dependent on amounts of knowledge than what the knowledge actually is. What we don't need is for our students to learn more. They are already collapsing under the mountain of information educators and legislators throw at them. What we do need our students to do is to understand more. The current curriculum in schools these days is like the old saying "A mile wide and an inch thick". We have substituted wisdom for information. Projects such as the VCD and other tools can help education not by adding to the amount of what we know, but by understanding what is already taught. The more we, as a society, understand, the better prepared we are for any change in the world around us. The more we teach students to think and understand, the better prepared they will be for any change the world may have.
Whenever the economy takes a downturn, it is wise to broaden your employment options by broadening your possible careers. While the glitz and glamour of working 40 hours a week on building Linux clusters is great, there are only a few of those positions available. Since the job market is in a downswing for programmers, possibly check out other arenas of employment. For example, the educational market is in desparate need for individuals with a technical background to teach math and science classes. While it may not be exactly what you want to do, it will provide you with experience, those greatly appreciated communication skills, and diversity in your resume. If education is not your bag, why not consider doing something with government or nonprofit organizations? Since the tech boom of a few years back, the need for individuals with computer skills in government jobs has skyrocketed. But most programmers have shied away from the lower-than-corporate salaries, but there are amazing oppotunities to work on some incredible projects for the government. If you have an international penchant, you could even sign up for the Peace Corps, or look into becoming an Information Management Specialist for the U.S. State Department or Foreign Service. I know that the Peace Corps is in search of individuals who can implement information technology programs aborad, and a two year committment to this program would wow them at your next job interview.
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The article stated that VCDs would be beneficial because they would allow more information to be learned by the student or individual. As a society, we have become more dependent on amounts of knowledge than what the knowledge actually is. What we don't need is for our students to learn more. They are already collapsing under the mountain of information educators and legislators throw at them. What we do need our students to do is to understand more. The current curriculum in schools these days is like the old saying "A mile wide and an inch thick". We have substituted wisdom for information. Projects such as the VCD and other tools can help education not by adding to the amount of what we know, but by understanding what is already taught. The more we, as a society, understand, the better prepared we are for any change in the world around us. The more we teach students to think and understand, the better prepared they will be for any change the world may have.
Whenever the economy takes a downturn, it is wise to broaden your employment options by broadening your possible careers. While the glitz and glamour of working 40 hours a week on building Linux clusters is great, there are only a few of those positions available. Since the job market is in a downswing for programmers, possibly check out other arenas of employment. For example, the educational market is in desparate need for individuals with a technical background to teach math and science classes. While it may not be exactly what you want to do, it will provide you with experience, those greatly appreciated communication skills, and diversity in your resume. If education is not your bag, why not consider doing something with government or nonprofit organizations? Since the tech boom of a few years back, the need for individuals with computer skills in government jobs has skyrocketed. But most programmers have shied away from the lower-than-corporate salaries, but there are amazing oppotunities to work on some incredible projects for the government. If you have an international penchant, you could even sign up for the Peace Corps, or look into becoming an Information Management Specialist for the U.S. State Department or Foreign Service. I know that the Peace Corps is in search of individuals who can implement information technology programs aborad, and a two year committment to this program would wow them at your next job interview.