APPLIED ACADEMICS NEWSWIRE
Volume # II No. 1
September 24, 1999
Helping educators to bring the real world into the classroom

In this Issue...

1) YOU CAN NEVER FIND AN I.T. SPECIALIST WHEN YOU NEED ONE!

With the information age showing no sign of slowing its breakneck pace, the need for information technology specialists is growing exponentially. Can we equip high school students with the skills and qualifications required to meet the ever increasing demand?

Currently, graduating high school students wanting to enter the I.T. field either proceed to a college or university, seek industry certification programs or enrol in private schools. Although the college and university route is perceived by many to be the most sound, it takes years and money that some students do not feel they can afford. Despite the private schools' promises of quick and lucrative employment, the exorbitant tuition rates (as high as $20,000 for a 20 week course) are still a risky investment. A read through many of the responses to this week's Globe and Mail's careers forum  (www.globeandmail.com), shows that a fast track diploma often falls short of its employability promises. The challenge is then to ease the transition from secondary I.T. to the workforce.

To that end, the Information Technology Transitions Project aims to provide objective evidence of the skills attained by IT11/12 students. This would mean involving industry to work with IT 11/12 to meet their employability standards. In some cases, this could make industry certification available for those students interested in pursuing I.T. careers.

If you are a District Administrator or Principal responsible for I.T. or if you currently teach I.T., then you are invited to participate in the Information Technology Transitions Project Forum. There are a limited number of places available for the November 3rd Forum, set to occur at the BCIT Downtown Campus from 4-9pm.

Interested? Call 1 877-293-CFAA!

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2) FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR TPC.

It's full steam ahead for TPC 12 as the course has now moved to Full Implementation status across BC. The Ministry of Education imposes an implementation process period on all new courses to allow teachers and school districts to adjust to the new curriculum. During this period, offering the course is not mandatory. Now that TPC 12 has reached the Full Implementation stage, students have the right to take the course provided that enrolment meets or exceeds district minimum numbers.

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3) CFAA NEWS

Help For a Friend

Heather Leask, one author of the TPC 12 Start-Up Kit, is doing the AIDS walk this weekend with her son. She will be raising money for families living with AIDS. Tragically, this is a cause that is very close to home. Her husband is suffering from HIV and MS. If you care to sponsor Heather, please email her at hleask@sd83.bc.ca

Cyberspace Moving Day

The move is already on, and the final cyber box and wrapped piece of internet china should be unpacked by September 30th. On this date, our address will have changed to cfaa0010@bcitvm.bcit.ca. Please note that all of our addresses at BCIT no longer end in "bc.ca". We'll invite you over once we're settled.

Gone But Not Forgotten…

With his secondment from the Victoria School District finished, Malcolm Sneddon (our mathematics guru) has headed back to Esquimalt Secondary School. His outspoken advocacy for applied mathematics will be missed by all.

Nell Ross, who worked on various projects within the CFAA, has moved on to private consulting. She plans to spend some time each year in Venezuela where her husband has been hired as the national freestyle wrestling coach. All the best Nell!

Drop By For A Visit, Stranger!

Have you been a stranger lately? Drop by for a visit of our freshly renovated website (www.bced.gov.bc.ca/cfaa)! Dash us an email and let us know what you think of our new décor.

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4) CONTACT INFORMATION

APPLIED ACADEMICS NEWSWIRE is a service of the Center for Applied Academics.

Center for Applied Academics
Suite 702 - 555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
V6B 3H2 CANADA

Phone: 604/412.7634 Fax: 604/688.5924
Toll Free: 1 877 293-CFAA

Internet: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/cfaa
E-mail at cfaa0010@bcitvm.bcit.ca.

Should you have questions about the CFAA list, please contact:
Bruce Deacon at cfaanews@islandnet.com

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