Word
Count: 1149
Outline:
1.The Introduction
-How
do computer skills impact the outside world?
2.The Main Issue
-Do
schools and large corporations have adequate skill sets?
3.The Action Plan
-Is there a plan to improve
computer proficiency?
4.The Results
-Is
improving proficiency a tall order?
5. The Conclusion
-Change
is hard work can we do it?
The Introduction
I recently had the opportunity and pleasure of discussing the multi-media world with 2 of my students’ uncle (Heather and Sabrina Hanitz). Duane Hall of 3M’s Occupational Health and Environmental Safety Division brought a lot of insight into how important technology skills sets are outside the classroom. The reason I wanted to have this discussion was to really understand the impact of being able to utilize equipment such as laptop computers, in the “real world.” I firmly believe we must teach all students using the highest technology available. In my opinion this would take an act of Legislation to pass an educational bill declaring mandatory mastery computer skills for all high school graduates and the funding of the money to complete this objective.
The Main Issue
According to Hall “…not
nearly enough 3M sales representative have enough skills to even warrant an
investment in a laptop computer…” I cited several reasons to support his
accusations. First, with an aging 3M sales force (the average age in the
northeast is 49) which means many employees are near retirement and are not
actively learning new things, and for those interested and well versed the
training classes provided are so elementary, they learn nothing new. In addition when baby-boomers went through
their school years, computers were not popular or affordable like they are
today. The other fact remains is that not all schools today are equipped, have
the resources, or the staff to educate our young people. So they do not learn
the skill sets they need to think and act strategically, and they learn no
mindset or vision for it either.
I asked Hall if anything was
done to try and refine the ability of the sales force to utilize their IBM
Think Pad 600E laptop computers. I was surprised to learn the Vice President of
Sales William B. Smith has recently introduced an initiative forcing each
employee to learn 15 computer tasks from table 1, figure 1 below. They all will
be tested on each task individually utilizing Microsoft NetMeeting and
conference calling. Sales representatives have been encouraged to learn these
tasks through any means possible. University or community college classes,
community education or learning centers, a colleague, 3M’s IT support hotline
or all of the above. Of course at 3M’s expense. If the do not meet the
requirements they will receive an unsatisfactory job rating for the year which
impacts their compensation.
|
Ranking |
Tasks 3M reps
should be able to do on their laptops by the end of 06/30/2001: |
|
1 |
Know how to enter company and contact information in ACT. |
|
2 |
Be able to replicate mail via VPN and know the difference between a full replication and sending and receiving mail. |
|
3 |
Access all address books in Lotus Notes and send e-mail to an Internet Address. Should also know how to save customer e-mail addresses into their personal address book. |
|
4 |
Know how to find the business plan template and how to use it. |
|
5 |
Attach, view, launch and detach an attachment. Also how to rename, modify and resend an attachment. |
|
6 |
Know how to open the Fax on Demand documents and print or fax them. |
|
7 |
Know how to find, open, fill out and send a field letter. |
|
8 |
Know how to fill out, process and read status’ on the literature request system. |
|
9 |
Know where templates are, how to open one up, fill it out and save as a word document and be able to WinFax to an end-user. |
|
10 |
Be able to demo select software, compliance software, and end of service life software and download from Internet. |
|
11 |
Open Internet Explorer through VPN and find the 3M Intranet site and OH & ES Internet site and how to bookmark/add to your favorites list. |
|
12 |
Be able to scan, defrag, compact and back up hard drive. |
|
13 |
Know what and where JIS Dbase is, also Presentation dbase, and PR & CC Corp Info dbase. |
|
14 |
Know to how get into Windows Explorer and be able to copy, paste and move documents. |
|
15 |
Know how to set up new hardware, printers, etc. and how to utilize all functions. |
Table 1, Figure 1
The
results have been fair to this point only those who volunteer are being tested.
Those that have been tested have certainly performed well, and have been
assisting the others who are not quite familiar with all the tasks at hand.
More importantly is the value 3M and their employees realize. First, they will
better be able to communicate with each other as well as customers many of whom
like to receive electronic mail particularly with attached documents because
they can access it immediately. Laptop computers are certainly portable and
this allows for multi-media presentations, software and product demonstrations
and to utilize 3M’s valuable website. In addition Microsoft’s NetMeeting
program allows for several computer users who are all in different locations to
look at one computer and participate in a presentation. All a user does is
connect to their Internet service provider and latch on to a common server and
accepts access when called. With this type of technology and conference calling
they conduct sales meetings frequently with virtually no travel expenses or
travel time.
The verification I was
looking for came very clear early on in my conversation. The reality of it all
is that computer skills are very important in today’s society. In order to be
successful and act, as a responsible citizen people must realize all the
potential possible in the electronic world. When you look at all the resources
3M Company ($2Billion in profits on $16Billion in sales for 2000) has and then
learn they can’t get all their employees skills up to an acceptable level how
are schools suppose to make this happen? It is obvious schools need more
resources to fulfill today’s young peoples talents. Maybe the new
administration in Washington D.C. should reconsider a tax cut and invest in our
schools. They are only the people who will be running our country years from
now.
More information is
available on 3M Company from Duane Hall, Dhall5@mmm.com, 800-390-3249, 11 Dearborn
Lane, Bear, DE 19701 or from www.mmm.com
More
information on IBM 600E ThinkPad laptop computers and Lotus notes is available
from www.IBM.com
More
information on Microsoft NetMeeting, Windows and Windows Explorer is available
from www.microsoft.com
More
information on Act Database is available from www.symantec.com
Christina Miller,
Health/Physical Education teacher at McKean High School for 3 years, 301
McKennas Church Road, Wilmington, DE 19809, phone 302-992-5520, fax
302-992-5521, e-mail Cmiller@RedClay.K12.DE.US website www.geocities.com/mhscmiller She completed her undergraduate work at
University of Delaware and is working on her master’s degree of Educational
Technology at Wilmington College.