Workplace Readiness Skill 15 Information Technology

Workplace Readiness Skill

Activity Sheet

Professional Competency

Skill

Information Technology

We use technology a lot in our daily lives – for work, home, fun, shopping,

etc. Technology devices include items like computers, phones, tablets, and

more. When we use the term information technology, we’re talking about a

set of skills that lets us interact with various types of technology devices.

Description of Information Technology

Information technology means maintaining a working knowledge of devices,

resources, hardware, software, systems, services, applications, and IT

conventions.

Examples of information technology:

• Use Excel to create a monthly budget.

• Problem-solve to ﬁgure out why your printer is not connecting to your

work computer.

Menu of Activities

These activities are designed to help families discuss and practice

information technology. Choose one or more activities to complete with your

child.

Activity 1: Website Treasure Hunt: Evaluating Websites

Most occupations require some type of technology knowledge to do the job.

This activity will help your child discover the technology needed for future

careers.

1. Start by visiting the website O*Net (onetonline.org).

2. Select an occupation to review. Use your child’s speciﬁc career goal or

search for an occupation that sounds interesting to them.

3. Find the list of technology skills on the occupation’s summary report.

4. Write down all of the technology skills needed for that occupation.

5. Have your child state if they know or don’t know how to use each type of

technology needed for the occupation.

6. Pick one unknown type of technology and research it to learn more about

that software or piece of equipment. Find out how someone can learn how

to use it.

7. If possible, practice using that technology with your child.

For example: If the unknown piece of technology is an Excel sheet,

then take some time to go through Excel on your computer.

Skill 15: Information Technology Page 2

Activity 2: Problem-Solving Technology

1. Technology issues happen all the time! Work with your child to make a list

of common technology issues that happen in your home (WiFi won’t work,

lights don’t turn on, computer crashes).

2. Together, develop a list of solutions for each technology issue. Some great

examples of common solutions are things like “Check to see if the WiFi is

connected” or “Turn the computer o and on again.” If you don’t know the

solution, try searching for it on the internet. If your child is having trouble

ﬁguring out how to problem-solve, use the problem-solving worksheet

provided for this lesson (found at the end of this activity).

3. Once you have made a list, talk to your child about which solution they feel

comfortable doing on their own and which they might need to practice.

4. The next time you have a problem with technology in your home, have

your child consult the list instead of asking you to ﬁx it!

Activity 3: Telephone Game

1. Create a Bingo board with pictures or names of common technology that

can be found at home. Make sure to mix in some known and unknown

types of technology to make it more challenging. The board can be

handmade or you can use an online template (bit.ly/bingo-board-template).

Here is an example of a technology bingo card (bit.ly/tech-bingo-card)

2. Have your child go through your home and locate dierent types of

technology to get Bingo.

3. You can also just hold up an item and have your child mark o what they

think it is to get Bingo.

4. Afterward, discuss how the dierent types of technology found could be

used in the workplace.

Reection

Review the questions with your child and respond together after completing

the activities.

• Did this information help your family better understand information

technology?

• What was easy or hard about learning and practicing this skill?

• Why is this skill important to use at home and at work?

• How do we continue to practice this skill in the home and in the community?

• What additional information or resources do I need to continue to practice

this skill?

CenterOnTransition.org

The contents were developed under a contract (881-APE62524-H027A190107) from the

Virginia Department of Education. An equal opportunity affirmative action university.