Top 3 ATE/NSF Information, Geospatial, and Security Technologies Blogs
The 39 centers of the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program lead dynamic, productive partnerships among industry, community colleges, and other education sectors. The National Convergence Technology Center in Frisco, Texas is one of eight centers that fall under the “Information, Geospatial, and Security Technologies” focus. All of the centers’ core functions include business engagement, low-cost mentoring, curriculum and professional development, recruiting strategies and student success.
The knowledge required of the centers is substantial but available if you know where to look. Publishing content on a blog is in many ways like putting a human face on your brand, differentiating you from your competition and educating prospects and clients within your network of best practices. Regardless of your position (educator, business professional, or student) you will find crucial industry knowledge at the blogs listed below!
I have chosen my three favorite blogs that are relevant to the “Information, Geospatial, and Security Technologies” discipline, to share with all of you. If you are interested in any of the other ATE Centers or Programs you may visit atecenters.org/centers for a complete list of all 39 centers as well as a link to their website.
1. BATEC: batec.org
This non-traditional blog is centrally located on their home page and consists of numerous articles regarding upcoming events including workshops, professional development opportunities and news. The Publications section of the website is also a wealth of knowledge including pieces on “Computational Thinking Rubric 2012”, “Tech Apprentice Manual- Community College”, and “BATEC Information Technology Workforce Skills Study”. This website is packed with useful information that you will not want to miss.
2. MPICT: mpictcenter.blogspot.com
Blogger James Jones (Executive Director of MPICT) elaborates daily on multiple topics such as ICT education, jobs, pathways, industry news, workforce development and much more on a highly professional platform. The blog also provides formal invitations for opportunities to attend webinars, utilize applications for after school programs/in-school electives such as “Mouse Squad”, and obtain free access to LabSim. This blog is for an audience with a serious determination to learn about the latest technologies and incorporate them into academia without spending hours completing research.
3. ICT Center: www.ictcenter.org
Last but not least is a blog full of “bite sized”, fun, useful information. The ICT Center blogs feature articles on topics such as open WiFi network security and the lack thereof, displaying hidden Mac files, tips for references on resumes, and how kids are spending a quarter of their life watching a screen! The contemporary feel allows you to skim through the trends and topics that interest you the most without sacrificing quality, necessity or the professionalism of the material. Not only is the blog a fantastic read, but it is literally surrounded by social media content that is all accessible from the homepage. I enjoy the casual writing styles on the page and appreciate that the content is still pertinent to the industry. This is a must-follow blog.
Did you notice anything you would like to see going forward on the National Convergence Technology Center Blog? Please share your suggestions below.