Daniel O’LearyDO_Leary@ITT-Tech.edu

www.mrolearysclassroom.com

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TB133 Strategies for the Technical Professional

Welcome to TB133Strategies for the Technical Professional

This course – Strategies – introduces new ITT students to the college experience

Part of this course’s goal is to ensure that you have all the materials and information you need for a successful college career at ITT – which means lots of paperwork at the beginning!

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TB133 Course SyllabusThe student syllabus, which you just

received, includes course objectives, resources, and a weekly outline – which may be revised as we move through this course!

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Course DescriptionThe course is devoted to three

primary topics: Technical tools Life skills Study skills

The topics we will cover in this course are of vital importance to your success not only at ITT, but in your prospective career.

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ClassesTwo parts: Theory and PracticeTheory: Theory Room #_____Theory day and time: _____________Practice: Lab Room #_______Practice day and time: ____________Bring to every class:

TextbookPaper, pencil, notebook/binder, folder, thumb drive

Homework that is due5

SchedulePlan on being in class

and lab the full time (until 1:15 PM or 10:15 PM)Short breaks every hour or so

11 class meetingsNumerous projectsQuizzes every weekGrade depends on your class work, homework, and class participationYou have to be here to participate in class

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LabsEvery week you will have a

one to two hour lab sessionMost labs are projects you start and

finish at school; some are finished at home

If you must miss a class, you may need a tutor’s help to do the lab project

It is MUCH easier to come to class

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EvaluationCheck your Student Syllabus for details on

content and gradingExercise 30%Labs 35%Quizzes 15%Course Project 20%Total 100%

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Grade ScaleA 90 - 100% 4.0B+ 85 - 89% 3.5B 80 - 84% 3.0C+ 75 - 79% 2.5C 70 - 74% 2.0D+ 65 - 69% 1.5D 60 - 64% 1.0F <60% 0.0

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Requirements/ExpectationsCome to class on time –

EVERY CLASS!Turn in your assignments when due

Points may be subtracted on unexcused, late assignments

Participate in classPlan on 2-3 hours of homework every

week – sometimes more!Create a study schedule and

reserve this time for TB13310

Use Common SenseCome to class on time, prepared to

work until the end of classBe courteous, respectful, honest,

and helpful to your classmates and the instructor

Avoid distracting other students during class (no cell phones, use laptops ONLY for class projects, eat quietly and clean up afterwards, no chatting, etc.)

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ProgressYou can check with me for your

current grade in class anytimeIf you are in danger of failing, you

will be officially notified as soon as possible

If your grade is low, keep in contact with ITT so we can figure out how to best help you

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ClassmatesThe class activity will help

you meet your classmatesYou have a great deal in common

with your classmatesYou are also a unique individual

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Two Truths and a LieBreak into groups of three to six

peopleIntroduce yourself and try to learn

the other people’s namesTell people 3 interesting things

about yourself: 2 of them true, 1 you made up

Guess which of your classmates’ statements are true, which are lies

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ExampleA. Rides a HarleyB. Knows the MayorC. Enjoys GardeningWho do you think

is the lie: A?, B?, C?

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Unit 1 ObjectivesDescribe strategies to adapt to life changes.Identify how attitude affects personal

success.Describe strategies for personal motivation.Identify ITT Tech school-level resources.Identify and access components of the ITT

Tech Student Portal.Find academic program and career resource

information on the ITT Tech Roadmap.Identify the major components of the ITT

Tech Virtual Library.

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Reading AssignmentStrategies: Building on Your

Best for Career Success Chapter 1, “Getting Started at ITT”The book has more information than

can be presented in one classRead the book to get all the helpful

information you can from the course

You are encouraged to read ahead in the book

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Lab AssignmentLog on to the network, student

portal, your ITT email, and send emails

You will get complete details and as much help as you need to complete the assignment

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Changes

The purpose of this unit is tohelp you deal with change, set goals, and get motivated

Going back to school is usuallyone of the biggest changes you have made in your life

This class will help you make that change successfully

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What’s in this Course for Me? Successful learners accept

responsibility for their actions and their lives, deal with events in a positive manner, and have built-in drive and determination

Most have friends who work together to succeed together, a teacher they trust, and an advisor who supplies good information

This course helps you adopt these characteristics of success

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$ Money $Many students go back to school to

earn more money and/or to start a stable career in a field they enjoy

A degree does more than just produce a better income, thoughMore confidence – higher self esteemMore independence and optionsRole model and mentor for family and friends

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What can hold people back?The “I Can’t” syndromeApathy, or the “I don’t care”

syndromeClosed-mindednessUnfounded anxietyFear of taking chancesLoss of motivationThe “Let someone else deal with it”

syndrome22

What do people expect?Punctuality and attendanceTeamwork and participationPersonal responsibility and positive

attitudeEthics and credibilityThe details depend on the situation, but

school, work, family, and friends place these expectations on you

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ChangesThe world, the Information

Technology (IT) industry, and your life are constantly changing

The next slides list just a few of the changes that may have had a major impact on your life

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Global ChangesWhat do some people believe are

events that changed history since WWII?

What would add to this list?

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Discovery of the Structure of DNA28th Feb 1953 – Watson and Crick:

Nobel Prize Winners

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The First Moon Landing21st Jul 1969 – Neil Armstrong and

Buzz Aldrin

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Fall of the Berlin Wall9th Nov 1989 – Symbolic fall of

U.S.S.R. and the end of the Cold War

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Invention of the WWW6th Aug 1991 – Primary Developer:

Sir Tim Berners-Lee

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9/1111th September 2001

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What did we leave out?Other changes may have had, or

ARE having, a greater impact on your life, like:

War in IraqHigh gas pricesOutsourcing??????

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Changes in Communication and Related TechnologyMajor advances in communication in

the last 150 years have changed the way people live and interact

The following slides introduce just a few of those changes

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History of the Internet and Related Technology1836 – TelegraphRevolutionized (tele)communications. Morse Code used a series of dots and

dashes.

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1946 - EniacElectronic Numeral Integrator And Calculator

First electronic computers – vacuum tube based

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1957 - USSR launches SputnikFirst artificial earth satellite. Start of global telecommunications. Satellites play an important role in

transmitting all sorts of data today. In response, US forms the Advanced

Research Projects Agency (ARPA) within the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish US lead in science and technology applicable to the military.

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1972 - Hand CalculatorMiniature computer circuitsCost hundreds to thousands of

dollars at firstCalculators common by mid 1970s

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1984 - MacintoshClick on icons with mouse instead of

typing text: Graphical User Interface (GUI)

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1991 - World-Wide Web (WWW)

WWW released by CERN; Tim Berners-Lee developer.

Originally developed to provide a distributed hypermedia system for research papers over the Internet

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1995 - Computer Animation First completely digitally animated

motion picture

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Growth of the InternetJan 2010 -750,000,000+

Domain Hosts

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Personal ChangesPersonal changes can be a source of

stress as well as joy The following slides summarize a

few important changes that you might experience

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Changes in FinancesGetting a new jobLosing a jobBuying a carMissing a car paymentFinally getting health insuranceMedical bills

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Changes at WorkGetting used to homeworkLagging behind in homework

assignmentsStarting a careerEnding a careerGetting a promotionGetting passed over for a promotionEnjoying your coworkersWorking with losers

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Changes in FamilyNew significant otherBreaking upGetting marriedGetting divorcedHaving a babySick family memberAging parentsStupid siblings

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Changes in Personal Health and SafetyGetting wellGetting sickLosing weightGaining weightStopping smokingStarting smokingStopping drug abuseAbusing alcohol and drugsRisky behavior

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The only thing that is constant is CHANGE!Some changes are out of your control,

but your response to these changes are within your control (War, recession,

oil prices, etc.)Many changes are within your control,

even if at first they seem not to beSuccessful people set goals and decide

what changes they need to make to take the steps required to reach their goals

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Reactions to ChangeSome reactions are negative,

including:NervousnessStressFearFatigueGuilt and denialAngerDepression

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Positive Reactions Renewed sense of excitement Heightened awareness Energy Sensitivity Optimism Belongingness Happiness YOU control YOUR

response to change48

Intentional ChangesSuppose you want to intentionally

change something in your life – like “improve my study habits”

There are five steps you can follow that can make your plans for change be successful

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Change Implementation Model 1. Determine what you need or want to change and

why.2. Research your options for making the desired

changes and seek advice and assistance from a variety of sources.

3. Identify the obstacles to change and determine how to overcome them.

4. Establish a plan by outlining several positive steps to bring about the changes you identified….AND……..

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DO IT!!!5. Implement your plan for bringing

about the desired change. Focus on the desired outcome. View problems as positive

challenges. Turn fears into energy by reducing

anxiety through physical exercise, proper nutrition, and stress management strategies.

Associate with positive and motivated people.

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Values and GoalsA goal is a deliberate change in your

life that you work towardTo help you set goals, you want to be

clear about what is important to youOn your homework sheet,

rate the importance of the things listed

1 is low, 10 is high, and no ties allowed – you must decide

Page 10 in book52

Record Your ResultsThis self-assessment, where you

learn something about yourself, is part of your written homework

Record the results on your homework paper, which you will turn in next week

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Compare ValuesValue High (10) Low (1)Personal GrowthMoneyRelationshipsEducationCommunityPlayFamilySpiritualityHealthWork

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Pattern of SuccessSuccessful people know what is

important to them despite what anyone else may have thought about their ideas

They set their goals and priorities around their unique skills and desires and motivated themselves to achieve their goals

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Kinds of GoalsIndividual goals – for yourselfCollective goals – for a groupShort term goals – less than a year

Smaller, simpler stepsLong term goals – more than a year

More complicated, harder to reach

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“SMART” GoalsAre your goals - ”SMART?”Specific:

Is your goal defined and detailed?Measurable:

Can you tell when you reach your goal?Aggressive

Is the goal not too easy, but worth the effort?

Realistic: Can you honestly expect to reach the goal?

Time-Sensitive: Do you have a (flexible) deadline for your

goal? 57

Goal SettingBreak your goals down into steps

Set sub goals that are satisfying Develop needed skills

Many new skills require hard work and practice

Develop personal responsibility and a strong work ethic If it’s to be, it’s up to meYou are responsible for your own success

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Some Goals Are ImpossiblePlay pro football for the Jets

You are 5 foot tall girlBe president of the USA

You were born in Canada and are a Canadian citizen

Be an airforce pilotYou were born with 20/400 vision

Be a school bus driverYou are a convicted pedophile

You must know and accept limits that your previous actions may have set on your goals 59

Don’t Be Afraid of Lofty GoalsYou want to run Microsoft

Someone will do it – why not you?Set intermediate goals that are

attainable and satisfyingThe Feds may break up Microsoft and your dream job may disappear

With properly chosen intermediate goals, you are in a position to adapt your ultimate goal

Take over Dell Computer instead!60

Think of Two GoalsOn your homework paper, write down

your most important short term goal (less than 1 year)Which of your values help motivate you to reach that goal?

On your homework paper, write down your most important long term goal (more than 1 year)Which of your values help motivate you to reach that goal?

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A Motivated Person:1. Recognizes Desire2. Faces Fears3. Moves out of Comfort Zone4. Sets Goals in Life5. Becomes Highly Disciplined

External motivation comes from an outside source, like a teacher

Internal motivation is better. It comes from within a person (A Fire Inside)

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Find SupportAssociate with people who

support your goalsSucceeding at ITT takes a lot of hard work

Old friends and family may be jealous of efforts to improve your life, and try to drag you downThey don’t have what it takes to succeed, and they don’t want you to leave them behind

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Study Habits for Success

Know the course schedule.For each day, create a list of tasks to

accomplish. Set aside dedicated time each day to

complete the tasks. Do not procrastinate.Build a buffer into your

schedule to handle unexpected circumstances.

Come to class!Do your homework!

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Questioning TechniquesAsking questions is an important

tool for learning – maybe the mostQuestions can help you confirm and

clarify your understanding of material

If you don’t understand, its not your fault – it’s the instructor’s!

You are expected to ask questions in class, and yourteachers are expected to answer them! 65

CommunicationE-mail is my preferred method

of communicationDO_Leary@itt-tech.edu 516-314-8644 (cell phone)I check my email frequently, phone

messages less frequentlyAny time you see me, feel free to

stop me and talk to meIf I have a class to teach, we can set up a better time later on

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ParticipationTo keep motivated, you have to be

willing to participate in class.The strangers around you will turn

into friends and helpers if you let them.

As an ITT student, you are expected to help any other student when you can.Welcome to your new family!

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We grow, learn, mature, adapt… all our livesITT gives you a fresh start –

you can be anyone you want to be - starting now

What you will be in the future depends on you

If it’s to be, it’s up to me(and sometimes it’s up to me to ask for

help!)68

Sources of Help at ITTCheck your orientation handbook for

detailsDeans and Department Chairs

Advice on courses and academics…Student Liaison

Car pool, housing…Financial Aid

Student loans, grants…Career Services

Jobs, internships, resumes…Ask any teacher where to turn to for help

It is up to you to ask for help!69

AssignmentsSave ALL your handouts and home

work in a notebookBuy a three ring binder NOW before

you start to become disorganizedInvest in a USB thumb drive ($5-

$10)You need a thick binder for

Strategies and Problem Solving

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HomeworkFor homework, decide on

important personal and global changes

Fill in the two change wheelsWrite a short story about changes in

your lifeOr: Draw a story board about changes in your life

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Lab AssignmentYou will practice logging on to the

network, explore the Student Portal, send and receive email

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Unit One SummaryGet involved and direct the changes in your

lifeKeep a sense of humor and joyUse the power of positive thinkingWork hard to step outside your comfort zoneBase your goals on what you valueFocus on the positive aspects of change and

growthTalk to family and friendsDon’t give in to adversity or defeat

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