This study explores the knowledge-seeking processes among professionals, highlighting three core questions: What induces professionals to engage in continuous learning? What makes them strive for something beyond the immediate obvious goal or situation? How can we theorise practice in a way that allows for engagement and engrossment--the emotional…

The aim of this paper is to discuss whether "social competence" is necessary for engineers to contribute to sustainable development and if it is, how to teach communication, group-processes and leadership in technical environments like engineering education programmes. The article reflects on a pedagogical project carried out in the…

Three work sample tasks--a logical contouring problem, a "pull-up" from an aerial photograph, and a geometric restitution task--for use in predicting job performance of the Cartographic Technician are provided. (For related documents, see TM 001 408, 463, 465, 466.) (DB)

How a computer component manufacturer makes videotape training pay.'' (Editor)

For technical workers who are valuable employees but not interested in managerial positions, multiple career paths offer a choice of three to five career tracks and lateral as well as vertical career opportunities. Keys to success include rigorous selection criteria and comparable recognition methods. (SK)

A survey of 256 members of a science institute found that those who aspire to management tend to be more motivated by power, influence, upward mobility, security, respect, and the need for dominance. Some of these qualities describe persons willing to make decisions, influence others, and deal with interpersonal issues. Current managers and…

We investigate the use and knowledge of graphs in the context of a large industrial factory. We are particularly interested in the question of "transparency", a question that has been extensively considered in the general literature on tool use and, more recently, by Michael Roth and his colleagues in the context of scientific work. Roth uses the…

Students in the Orthotics and Prosthetics Technician Program at Oklahoma State University (OSU)-Okmulgee are provided with opportunities to develop multiple skill sets coveted by employers that will land them jobs in the industry as technicians, fitters or pedorthists. The program was recently restructured to become a technically based orthotic…

Every day, the sun showers the planet with millions of times more energy that its people use. The only problem is that the energy is spread out over the entire earth's surface and thus must be harvested. Engineers are learning to capture and use some of this energy to make electricity for homes. A well-designed solar system can last for 20 years…

This article discusses the 4-H Gateway Academies specifically designed to enhance science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills and knowledge in middle school youth. The innovative summer day camps partnered Project Lead the Way--trained teachers with county 4-H staff from University of Wisconsin-Extension (UW-Extension) Cooperative…

A preliminary Personal History Questionnaire used in obtaining information from all Cartographic Technicians in Federal service in August 1968 (about 1,500) is provided. The questions in the questionnaire cover a variety of areas, including a 130-item task list. (For related documents, see TM 001 408, 463, 464, 466.) (DB)

Discusses the problems of technicians in making the transition to a training position. Describes development of a personal philosophy for technical training. (CH)

Over the past decade, three rationales have emerged for emphasizing the reinforcement of the United States' science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pipeline. The first rationale pertains to U.S. global competitiveness, the second revolves around the benefits of a diverse workforce, and the third argument points to social justice…

In Austria, the syllabus for "Technisches Werken/Crafts and Technology" for all types of school in general education was issued more than 30 years ago. The authors believed that it might lay the foundations for technical literacy. The paper is about how the situation of the subject and, with it, technical education has developed since…