Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Is Technology Literacy Important to You?

Technology literacy is not just about knowing how to use technology for word-processing, spreadsheets, and Internet access. Fundamentally, it is efficiently and effectively utilizing computer and information systems to meet productive goals in a competitive environment. We live in a world that is increasingly dependent on technology. It is particularly important in this technological world that people understand and are comfortable with the concepts and workings of modern technology. From an individual's standpoint, people benefit both at work and at home by being able to choose the best products to meet their needs (e.g. tracking expenses, keeping a budget, list management or troubleshooting). Technology literacy is the ability to use, manage, and problem solve, using technology.

Ask yourself, "Am I a confident computer user?" People approach computers tentatively and with little confidence, even if they have been using computers for years. This paradox derives from the lack of true understanding of the technology. Most training programs concentrate on using the tools and less on applying those tools to actual processes and or problem solving. When something goes wrong or a new application is available, people with such backgrounds are at a loss to know what to do and often experience frustration. They find themselves in a situation where they must get help further adding to their feeling of anxiety and of not being in control. Usually the help they receive treats the immediate problem without imparting more basic knowledge thus perpetuating the problem.

This is where TAB Training & Consulting has developed a niche of providing technology workshops and training programs that help individuals learn technology to assist them with their daily professional and personal routines. It's more than knowing spreadsheets, word-processing and database programs. It is the knowledge gained on how to use these applications to become more efficient, effective and productive in today’s competitive society.

Monday, October 19, 2009

What is Technology?

Technology comes in many shapes, forms and sizes. It ranges from MP3 players, that we listen to our favorite songs on, to large screen (plasma, LCD or DLP) televisions that we enjoy to watch our favorite sports and movies. Technology also refers to the netbooks, "miniature" laptops that have become today's rave, to laptops with 20" screens that put to shame the small DVD movie players from just 10 years ago. Technology is also the science of innovation and having the ability to perform what were once manual tasks to being automated.

Technology has many different "flavors" and the flavor that I have focused on is technology as a tool more so than as a source of entertainment. Technology and technology literacy are important tools to have as a means for human capital development. Let's further explore the importance of technology literacy to you.

What is Human Capital?

There are many ways to define human capital, but they all have a similar message. The underlying message relates to the knowledge, experience and skills that a person obtains, usually through employment, that can be utilized for that person to become more efficient, effective and productive in his or her life.

To increase my personal human capital, I decided to learn about computers and how to use them to obtain employment. After realizing how much I enjoy sharing information with others, I began to focus more on learning how to teach others to embrace computers and technology into their daily lives. I would eventually show individuals how to use this new knowledge to become more effective, efficient and productive in their professional and personal lives. This lead me on the path to becoming a trainer; something that I have been doing since 1994.

What is your human capital? How do you plan to increase/enhance your human capital to meet your own personal goal(s)?

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Owner of TAB Training & Consulting Acquires New Certification

Please share in my recent accomplishment, as I continue to pursue the goal of TAB Training & Consulting becoming the #1 provider of Microsoft Office Application Certification Training to the residents of inner-city communities throughout the continental United States. I recently added the distinction of becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainer to go along with the other certifications previously acquired. These credentials include, Certiport Professional Instructor (CPI), Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS - Office 2007) Master Instructor, Microsoft Office Specialist Master Instructor (MOSMI - Office 2003) and an IC3 Authorized Program Instructor.

I am starting this blog to help educate and share information on the importance of using technology (specifically Microsoft Office Suite applications) as a means for developing a person's human capital. This enhancement in human capital leads to increased efficiency and productivity.

Please feel free to share and/or submit your questions or comments on Microsoft Office Suite application certification.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

TAB Training & Consulting welcomes everyone to our Blog

As the President & CEO of TAB Training & Consulting, I wish to welcome you to our new blog space and I look forward to sharing, entertaining and even debating technology as a tool for developing and enhancing human capital. Below is a brief overview of TAB Training & Consulting and I look forward to chatting with you soon.

Vision: TAB Training & Consulting is focused on bridging the gap between technology and inner-city communities.

Mission: Our mission is to help individuals reach their maximum potential by developing their human capital through technology literacy. TAB Training & Consulting will accomplish this by partnering with community-based organizations and local businesses to offer training programs and specialized workshops on computer and information technology.

Objective: TAB Training & Consulting will work with resident groups, community based organizations, local businesses and city agencies to identify the technology literacy needs of the community and use our workshops and programs to address them.