Top Ten Tech Skills for Teens

With all that teens are learning as they use digital devices and the Internet, it is difficult to sort through what they actually need to know. Cindy Donaldson in her article on Education.com (August 2013), polled companies in Silicon Valley to find what their leaders thought were skills all teens should master. The skills recommended are typing, word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, eMail, electronic calendars, Netiquette, social networking, basic computer upkeep, using Internet searches properly for research, and use of databases. Other skills suggested related to blog making, photo processing, and making a Web page. 

It seems to me that using critical and innovative thinking skills, learning to work collaboratively, and adapting to new technologies should be added to the list, for these skills will certainly be needed.

Online Etiquette

Part of keeping yourself safe online is watching what you say no matter the social media you choose to use to express yourself. Keeping that in mind, take a look at this list of 6 Rules for Making a Great Virtual Impression. While these are rules for making a good professional impression, there is some spill over into what to do in daily communication. Rule #6? Know when to pick up the phone when more clarity is needed. This is good to remember as the school year approaches.