MAXX Potential

Understanding Large Language Models in Education: A Quick Guide for Teachers

By MAXX Potential

What's the Buzz About LLMs?

Students are increasingly harnessing the power of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT for academic tasks such as research and homework. These AI systems are trained on enormous datasets, making them adept at understanding and generating human-like language.

When used correctly, LLMs have the potential of being a warm-up for creativity or an assistant in brainstorming. This technology is known for making things up so it’s crucial that educators understand how to implement this technology in the classroom.

“There are not going to be shortcuts to the learning process – there are going to be better ways to learn and worse ways to learn,” says Jack Goodman, Studiosity’s founder and chair, in ComputerWeekly. “But you won’t learn to know what you think if you don’t learn to express yourself with language.”

How LLMs Function

In simple terms, these models predict the subsequent word in a text string based on the preceding words. This ability allows them to interact in a human-like way, answering questions, summarizing articles, or even engaging in dialogues. 

“Another important development is the use of pre-training, where a language model is first trained on a large dataset before being fine-tuned on a specific task.” ScienceDirect article points out. This pre-training and fine-tuning process greatly enhances the model’s performance, making it not only more accurate but also more versatile in handling specialized tasks, from academic research to customer service interactions.

Want to learn more about how this technology works? Dive deeper into the subject with our AI Learning Resources.

The Double-Edged Sword of LLMs

The efficiency of LLMs brings both opportunities and challenges. As these systems become more advanced, they pose difficulties for anti-plagiarism tools to differentiate between student-created and AI-generated content. This increasing proficiency can be both an asset and a potential issue, particularly in academic settings.

Other concerns raised are about students and educators relying too heavily on the model, negatively influencing critical thinking and problem solving skills. LLMs have the ability to transform the education landscape, and educators and students need to know how to use this tool best.

An Action Plan for Educators

To navigate this complex landscape, educators should be well-informed about the capabilities and limitations of LLMs. This knowledge will help in formulating educational policies that promote the ethical and effective use of such tools. For actionable insights and comprehensive guidelines, educators can check out our AI Learning Resources.

LLMs provide a great resource for educators to create personalized learning experiences for their students. For example, the models could be used to analyze a student’s writing and provide tailored feedback and suggested resources to assist the student’s learning. This frees up an educator to focus on other parts of education.

Educators can effectively prepare for a future where LLMs will play an increasingly significant role in the educational environment.

 

 

Sources:

MORE POSTS

Understanding Large Language Models in Education: A Quick Guide for Teachers

By MAXX Potential

What's the Buzz About LLMs?

Students are increasingly harnessing the power of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT for academic tasks such as research and homework. These AI systems are trained on enormous datasets, making them adept at understanding and generating human-like language.

When used correctly, LLMs have the potential of being a warm-up for creativity or an assistant in brainstorming. This technology is known for making things up so it’s crucial that educators understand how to implement this technology in the classroom.

“There are not going to be shortcuts to the learning process – there are going to be better ways to learn and worse ways to learn,” says Jack Goodman, Studiosity’s founder and chair, in ComputerWeekly. “But you won’t learn to know what you think if you don’t learn to express yourself with language.”

How LLMs Function

In simple terms, these models predict the subsequent word in a text string based on the preceding words. This ability allows them to interact in a human-like way, answering questions, summarizing articles, or even engaging in dialogues. 

“Another important development is the use of pre-training, where a language model is first trained on a large dataset before being fine-tuned on a specific task.” ScienceDirect article points out. This pre-training and fine-tuning process greatly enhances the model’s performance, making it not only more accurate but also more versatile in handling specialized tasks, from academic research to customer service interactions.

Want to learn more about how this technology works? Dive deeper into the subject with our AI Learning Resources.

The Double-Edged Sword of LLMs

The efficiency of LLMs brings both opportunities and challenges. As these systems become more advanced, they pose difficulties for anti-plagiarism tools to differentiate between student-created and AI-generated content. This increasing proficiency can be both an asset and a potential issue, particularly in academic settings.

Other concerns raised are about students and educators relying too heavily on the model, negatively influencing critical thinking and problem solving skills. LLMs have the ability to transform the education landscape, and educators and students need to know how to use this tool best.

An Action Plan for Educators

To navigate this complex landscape, educators should be well-informed about the capabilities and limitations of LLMs. This knowledge will help in formulating educational policies that promote the ethical and effective use of such tools. For actionable insights and comprehensive guidelines, educators can check out our AI Learning Resources.

LLMs provide a great resource for educators to create personalized learning experiences for their students. For example, the models could be used to analyze a student’s writing and provide tailored feedback and suggested resources to assist the student’s learning. This frees up an educator to focus on other parts of education.

Educators can effectively prepare for a future where LLMs will play an increasingly significant role in the educational environment.

 

 

Sources:

Tech Exploration: the Student’s Key to Charting a Career Path

How Students Prepare for Their Future Career with Tech Exploration

By MAXX Potential

Are you ready to discover how tech exploration can benefit students as they charter a career pathway?

Work-based learning allows students to sharpen essential skills, explore various tech career options, and develop their confidence in tech. From gaining valuable expertise to nurturing imagination, this exploration holds the key to unlocking a world of opportunities.

3 Benefits of Tech Exploration for Students

Embarking on a journey in Information Technology and Career and Technical Education as a student brings forth a plethora of benefits that can shape a future tech career pathway in an extraordinary way. Students who understand their interests and develop essential tech skills early will be ahead of their peers within the tech industry. Hands-on, work-based experiences enhance technical abilities, problem-solving aptitude, and critical thinking prowess, equipping students with the tools to excel in any tech-related role.

Whether interested in software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, or UX design, students can work on projects that focus on each. This exploration opens up different paths and paves the way for students to follow their interests into a fulfilling and dynamic career.

Work-based learning nurtures innovation within the safety of an explorative environment where students can experiment with new ideas and push boundaries.

Developing Essential Tech Skills

From coding and programming languages to data analysis and problem-solving, students who explore areas of technology in middle school or high school create a strong foundation of technical skills for the rapidly changing industry. 

Hands-on experimentation expands student skills, and they develop tech-related skills that will power their future careers. A key mentality for many technologists is their problem-solving capabilities alongside curiosity to discover solutions. Students who tap into their curiosity and perseverance for solving technical problems are sharpening a much-sought-after skill.  

The ever-evolving tech industry needs people who are ready to pivot with the rapid changes and continue to learn. Tech exploration with work-based simulators is a transformative journey that equips students with essential skills, nurtures creativity, and prepares students for a dynamic career pathway in the tech industry.

Exploring Tech Career Options with a Simulated Work Environment

A simulated work environment is a great option in Career and Technical Education for students because it allows students to immerse themselves in different career options and gain valuable insights into each role. This simulator allows students to work on a project in roles like the following:

  • Information Security Analyst
  • Network Administrator
  • System Administrator
  • Network Incident Response Specialist
  • Security Incident Response Specialist
  • Scrum Master
  • Software Developer
  • Quality Assurance Specialist
  • Help Desk Technician
  • Data Governance Specialist
  • Business Intel Analyst

The student discovers what each position does in a day-to-day capacity. Students learn about the intricacies of coding, the power of data analysis, the importance of securing digital systems, or the art of creating seamless user experiences. They also step into the real challenges of working on a team, deadlines, and communication differences.

Tech exploration before choosing a tech pathway for continued education can help students better understand their career options. 

Nurturing Creativity and Innovation in Work Simulators

Tech exploration not only helps students develop essential skills and explore career options but also nurtures creativity and innovation. The world of technology is a playground for imagination, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and inspiring new ideas.

During a work simulator, students are encouraged to think outside the box, experiment with new concepts, and challenge conventional thinking. Students interact with projects for clients and face surprise challenges that simulate the tech environment. While they strive to create a great solution for their “client,” this is also a safe environment for trial and error.

The work simulator fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration where students share ideas and build upon each other’s work. Students develop hard and soft skills that will become applicable to their future careers. 

Tech exploration as a student is not just about developing skills and exploring careers; it’s a catalyst for creativity and innovation. It empowers students to think differently, challenge norms, and contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of the tech industry.

How to Develop a Tech Exploration Program for Students

Schools, such as CodeRVA in Richmond, Virginia, understand how crucial it is to offer students the opportunity to dive into tech to determine their future career pathway through work simulation and experiential learning. Incorporating Career and Technical Education into the very core of the school system can transform future generations.

At a baseline level, STEM teachers can challenge students to take advantage of online resources and to build their own applications and programs. One of the best ways to learn about technology is to interact with it online, and the rapidly changing nature of technology means textbooks can’t keep up.

Together, we can help students be more ready for their future. MAXX Potential believes in providing work-based learning and mentorship to equip people from all backgrounds for their tech careers.

Is your school district ready to jump into career exploration with a focus on work-based learning to empower students for their tech career paths? Schedule a consultation today at MAXXpotential.com/schedule-a-consultation.

MORE POSTS

Tech Exploration: the Student’s Key to Charting a Career Path

How Students Prepare for Their Future Career with Tech Exploration

By MAXX Potential

Are you ready to discover how tech exploration can benefit students as they charter a career pathway?

Work-based learning allows students to sharpen essential skills, explore various tech career options, and develop their confidence in tech. From gaining valuable expertise to nurturing imagination, this exploration holds the key to unlocking a world of opportunities.

3 Benefits of Tech Exploration for Students

Embarking on a journey in Information Technology and Career and Technical Education as a student brings forth a plethora of benefits that can shape a future tech career pathway in an extraordinary way. Students who understand their interests and develop essential tech skills early will be ahead of their peers within the tech industry. Hands-on, work-based experiences enhance technical abilities, problem-solving aptitude, and critical thinking prowess, equipping students with the tools to excel in any tech-related role.

Whether interested in software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, or UX design, students can work on projects that focus on each. This exploration opens up different paths and paves the way for students to follow their interests into a fulfilling and dynamic career.

Work-based learning nurtures innovation within the safety of an explorative environment where students can experiment with new ideas and push boundaries.

Developing Essential Tech Skills

From coding and programming languages to data analysis and problem-solving, students who explore areas of technology in middle school or high school create a strong foundation of technical skills for the rapidly changing industry. 

Hands-on experimentation expands student skills, and they develop tech-related skills that will power their future careers. A key mentality for many technologists is their problem-solving capabilities alongside curiosity to discover solutions. Students who tap into their curiosity and perseverance for solving technical problems are sharpening a much-sought-after skill.  

The ever-evolving tech industry needs people who are ready to pivot with the rapid changes and continue to learn. Tech exploration with work-based simulators is a transformative journey that equips students with essential skills, nurtures creativity, and prepares students for a dynamic career pathway in the tech industry.

Exploring Tech Career Options with a Simulated Work Environment

A simulated work environment is a great option in Career and Technical Education for students because it allows students to immerse themselves in different career options and gain valuable insights into each role. This simulator allows students to work on a project in roles like the following:

  • Information Security Analyst
  • Network Administrator
  • System Administrator
  • Network Incident Response Specialist
  • Security Incident Response Specialist
  • Scrum Master
  • Software Developer
  • Quality Assurance Specialist
  • Help Desk Technician
  • Data Governance Specialist
  • Business Intel Analyst

The student discovers what each position does in a day-to-day capacity. Students learn about the intricacies of coding, the power of data analysis, the importance of securing digital systems, or the art of creating seamless user experiences. They also step into the real challenges of working on a team, deadlines, and communication differences.

Tech exploration before choosing a tech pathway for continued education can help students better understand their career options. 

Nurturing Creativity and Innovation in Work Simulators

Tech exploration not only helps students develop essential skills and explore career options but also nurtures creativity and innovation. The world of technology is a playground for imagination, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and inspiring new ideas.

During a work simulator, students are encouraged to think outside the box, experiment with new concepts, and challenge conventional thinking. Students interact with projects for clients and face surprise challenges that simulate the tech environment. While they strive to create a great solution for their “client,” this is also a safe environment for trial and error.

The work simulator fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration where students share ideas and build upon each other’s work. Students develop hard and soft skills that will become applicable to their future careers. 

Tech exploration as a student is not just about developing skills and exploring careers; it’s a catalyst for creativity and innovation. It empowers students to think differently, challenge norms, and contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of the tech industry.

How to Develop a Tech Exploration Program for Students

Schools, such as CodeRVA in Richmond, Virginia, understand how crucial it is to offer students the opportunity to dive into tech to determine their future career pathway through work simulation and experiential learning. Incorporating Career and Technical Education into the very core of the school system can transform future generations.

At a baseline level, STEM teachers can challenge students to take advantage of online resources and to build their own applications and programs. One of the best ways to learn about technology is to interact with it online, and the rapidly changing nature of technology means textbooks can’t keep up.

Together, we can help students be more ready for their future. MAXX Potential believes in providing work-based learning and mentorship to equip people from all backgrounds for their tech careers.

Is your school district ready to jump into career exploration with a focus on work-based learning to empower students for their tech career paths? Schedule a consultation today at MAXXpotential.com/schedule-a-consultation.

From Classroom to Career: How Career and Technical Education Transforms Students into IT Professionals

Equipping the Next Generation of IT Professionals

By MAXX Potential

From Classroom to Career: How Career and Technical Education Transforms IT Professionals

For students interested in the tech industry, CTE programs transform the trajectory from classroom to career through work-based learning experiences.  

During the 1960s and 1970s, vocationally-based education reached a high point, and then in the 1980s, the focus shifted to college course preparation. A growing body of career and technical education research and data revealed that jobs are changing and new skills are required for tech careers.

“Young people used to follow a path right out of school to the factory with just a little bit of job training, [but] those jobs are not there anymore,” said Neil Ridley, director of the State Initiative at Georgetown University’s Center for Education and the Workforce, in an article about modernizing career and technical education. “High school shouldn’t be seen as just a pipeline anymore; it’s a building block.”

As of March 2022, the Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE) conducted a study on CTE in the state of Florida that revealed that there’s a skills gap of 54% of jobs that require skills training at the educational level between high school and college. Meanwhile, only 45% of Florida workers possess this level of training.

To prepare students for their future careers in tech, CTE is crucial.

How CTE Transforms the IT Career Pathway

Career and technical education goes hand-in-hand with traditional education by elevating technical skills and professional abilities through real-world work and experience. Students who participate in CTE programs step into an environment that prioritizes in-depth technical training alongside company partnerships. 

Students of all abilities benefit from CTE programs. Over the years, CTE research studies have revealed that students with disabilities who participate in CTE programs are 5% more likely to graduate from high school on time and 20% more likely to be employed after graduation. 

Students Experience Cutting-Edge Technology

CTE information technology programs allow students to experience cutting-edge technologies and industry trends for projects. It means working on hard and soft skills for real-world tasks rather than just being exam ready. 

“People have such outdated and just wrong impressions of what career education is,” Paul Fain said in a CTE basics article. “It’s not for dirty jobs, as many people think – drill press operator comes to mind. Many of these roles are in high-demand, high-tech fields.”

Internship is often a part of CTE programs, and some employers see it as the key to developing their team, so that entry-level individuals can learn while they earn. The tech industry offers a lot of opportunity for people without traditional education because the industry changes so rapidly.

Students who participate in CTE programs build out their resume and acquire high-demand professional skills, including communication, collaboration, and leadership 

Students Learn How to Collaborate and Solve Problems

“They didn’t give me the answer, but they gave me the support.” Kume Goranson, Ed.D., Executive Director at CodeRVA, and Rob Simms, MAXX Partner discuss what makes work-based learning experience so important for today’s students who are gearing up for their careers.

When students take on a long-term, work-based project along with a team of classmates, they’re working for a client, whether real or simulated. The client often has an idea of what they want, and the students must figure out how to meet the client’s expectations, project manage, troubleshoot, and interact professionally.

What makes work-based learning experiences so different from a school group project is that the team of students face real-career frustrations. They may face a client who says one thing, but after seeing the rough draft, realizes they want something else.

A real part of any job is facing a project that has no instruction manual.

Students Take Risks in a CTE Program

A CTE program allows students to gain real-world experience through work-based learning that’s either a work simulation or an employer partnership. 

This hands-on learning helps students test the waters of their potential future IT career under the watchful eyes of CTE program facilitators. CTE information technology mentors are available to students to discuss difficult challenges within their long-term project. Students can take risks within the safety of the program without possible career repercussions.

CTE programs often rely on partnerships with local companies to provide industry information, examples of tech challenges, and other supplemental instruction. From these partnerships, students expand their knowledge and their network.

Future Trends and Opportunities in CTE for IT Professionals

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) career pathways are vital for future economic growth, societal adaptability, and innovation. The rapid changes within the tech industry means that traditional programs fall behind the cutting-edge advancements, and CTE programs have the ability to allow students to see what’s happening in tech careers right now.

Emerging technologies mean that textbooks cannot keep up with industry trends, and traditional education needs to find ways to help students be prepared for their futures beyond the typical user experience of smartphones and computers. CTE programs help students explore evolving tech career paths while prioritizing lifelong learning. 

Is your school district ready to jump into career exploration with a focus on work-based learning to empower students for their tech career paths? Schedule a consultation today at MAXXpotential.com/schedule-a-consultation.

MORE POSTS

From Classroom to Career: How Career and Technical Education Transforms Students into IT Professionals

Equipping the Next Generation of IT Professionals

By MAXX Potential

From Classroom to Career: How Career and Technical Education Transforms IT Professionals

For students interested in the tech industry, CTE programs transform the trajectory from classroom to career through work-based learning experiences.  

During the 1960s and 1970s, vocationally-based education reached a high point, and then in the 1980s, the focus shifted to college course preparation. A growing body of career and technical education research and data revealed that jobs are changing and new skills are required for tech careers.

“Young people used to follow a path right out of school to the factory with just a little bit of job training, [but] those jobs are not there anymore,” said Neil Ridley, director of the State Initiative at Georgetown University’s Center for Education and the Workforce, in an article about modernizing career and technical education. “High school shouldn’t be seen as just a pipeline anymore; it’s a building block.”

As of March 2022, the Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE) conducted a study on CTE in the state of Florida that revealed that there’s a skills gap of 54% of jobs that require skills training at the educational level between high school and college. Meanwhile, only 45% of Florida workers possess this level of training.

To prepare students for their future careers in tech, CTE is crucial.

How CTE Transforms the IT Career Pathway

Career and technical education goes hand-in-hand with traditional education by elevating technical skills and professional abilities through real-world work and experience. Students who participate in CTE programs step into an environment that prioritizes in-depth technical training alongside company partnerships. 

Students of all abilities benefit from CTE programs. Over the years, CTE research studies have revealed that students with disabilities who participate in CTE programs are 5% more likely to graduate from high school on time and 20% more likely to be employed after graduation. 

Students Experience Cutting-Edge Technology

CTE information technology programs allow students to experience cutting-edge technologies and industry trends for projects. It means working on hard and soft skills for real-world tasks rather than just being exam ready. 

“People have such outdated and just wrong impressions of what career education is,” Paul Fain said in a CTE basics article. “It’s not for dirty jobs, as many people think – drill press operator comes to mind. Many of these roles are in high-demand, high-tech fields.”

Internship is often a part of CTE programs, and some employers see it as the key to developing their team, so that entry-level individuals can learn while they earn. The tech industry offers a lot of opportunity for people without traditional education because the industry changes so rapidly.

Students who participate in CTE programs build out their resume and acquire high-demand professional skills, including communication, collaboration, and leadership 

Students Learn How to Collaborate and Solve Problems

“They didn’t give me the answer, but they gave me the support.” Kume Goranson, Ed.D., Executive Director at CodeRVA, and Rob Simms, MAXX Partner discuss what makes work-based learning experience so important for today’s students who are gearing up for their careers.

When students take on a long-term, work-based project along with a team of classmates, they’re working for a client, whether real or simulated. The client often has an idea of what they want, and the students must figure out how to meet the client’s expectations, project manage, troubleshoot, and interact professionally.

What makes work-based learning experiences so different from a school group project is that the team of students face real-career frustrations. They may face a client who says one thing, but after seeing the rough draft, realizes they want something else.

A real part of any job is facing a project that has no instruction manual.

Students Take Risks in a CTE Program

A CTE program allows students to gain real-world experience through work-based learning that’s either a work simulation or an employer partnership. 

This hands-on learning helps students test the waters of their potential future IT career under the watchful eyes of CTE program facilitators. CTE information technology mentors are available to students to discuss difficult challenges within their long-term project. Students can take risks within the safety of the program without possible career repercussions.

CTE programs often rely on partnerships with local companies to provide industry information, examples of tech challenges, and other supplemental instruction. From these partnerships, students expand their knowledge and their network.

Future Trends and Opportunities in CTE for IT Professionals

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) career pathways are vital for future economic growth, societal adaptability, and innovation. The rapid changes within the tech industry means that traditional programs fall behind the cutting-edge advancements, and CTE programs have the ability to allow students to see what’s happening in tech careers right now.

Emerging technologies mean that textbooks cannot keep up with industry trends, and traditional education needs to find ways to help students be prepared for their futures beyond the typical user experience of smartphones and computers. CTE programs help students explore evolving tech career paths while prioritizing lifelong learning. 

Is your school district ready to jump into career exploration with a focus on work-based learning to empower students for their tech career paths? Schedule a consultation today at MAXXpotential.com/schedule-a-consultation.

5 Timeless Talents for a Shifting Tech Landscape

By MAXX Potential

A shifting tech landscape demands that technologists center themselves in strong mental models while growing their timeless talents to ensure their career longevity. One of the constants in technology is change. 

This resiliency in thinking and skills will help technologists to excel in their tech careers no matter how the tech industry changes, grows, or pivots.

How Mental Models Make You A Stronger Thinker

“For me, it’s like, how do you picture and put things in your brain?” Rahim Islam, MAXX Potential Solution Delivery Manager, shared. “That’s how I think of mental models.”

Farnham Street explains that, “A mental model is simply a representation of how something works. We cannot keep all of the details of the world in our brains, so we use models to simplify the complex into understandable and organizable chunks.”

What we can learn from this is that as we each continue in our careers we can build on our mental models for analyzing problems.

first principles image

A Popular Mental Model: The Concept of First Principles

According to Farnham Street, First Principles is one of the core mental models because, “First-principles thinking is one of the best ways to reverse-engineer complicated problems and unleash creative possibility.”

“It really comes from philosophy.” John Dlugokecki, MAXX Potential Partner, shared. “So breaking things down into indivisible axioms is the very academic explanation, and then using those axioms to create foundational truths for building your solution.”

This way of thinking is not how many adults choose to think. In fact, most people lean into the established “this is how it’s always been done.”

Believe it or not, the humans that think best in the concept of first principles are children.

Children rely on the question “why” to understand the world around them. Their constant litany of “why” often annoys their parents, babysitters, teachers, and nearby adults. Yet, this technique of exploring the world helps children make connections.

Bringing the concept of “why” into the boardroom can frustrate coworkers, and it can get to the root of a problem. When a team of people are willing to follow the “why” to its root, great things happen.

5 Timeless Talents for a Shifting Tech Landscape

Beyond mental models, we’ve determined five timeless talents to help technologists in an ever changing tech industry. We believe that strengthening the following talents can help you ride the changes in tech: communication, adaptability, problem solving, lifelong learning, and collaboration.

Communication

Being able to explain an idea through words, whether spoken or written, is an essential skill for technologists who plan to make tech their long-time career. The key component clarifies confusing information and streamlines project collaboration.

Adaptability

Technology is known for its rapid change, and with that knowledge, technologists must exercise their adaptability. How quickly do you pivot to new ideas? Are you willing to try different styles and systems of doing things? What do you do to stay relevant in an ever-changing environment?

“As long as you’re comfortable being in a state of not having everything mastered and you’re comfortable with that, you tend to open up a lot more to learning more, to feedback, to new ideas.” Rahim observed.

Problem Solving

When it comes to problem solving, John pointed out that, “Using the right tool for the right job may sometimes mean using older, more established tools. If you’re just upgrading or replacing for the sake of replacing, that’s not necessarily good problem solving.”

Lifelong Learning

Part of technology is constantly learning new ideas, systems, and possibilities. The more tools you understand and are exposed to, the better for knowing what tool works best in different situations. When you’re a technologist, you’re committing to a career filled with unending learning.

Collaboration

Engineers and technologists need to consider the people aspect of their projects and solutions. When you’re working with a team or a client, technologists prioritize how the end users will interact with the final product. The newest trends and technologies are exciting, but if no one can use it, what’s the point?

Partner with MAXX to invest in the future

Are you ready to work with eager and talented MAXX Apprentices who exhibit these five timeless talents? Partner with MAXX Potential today at MaxxPotential.com/Business-Solutions.

MORE POSTS

5 Timeless Talents for a Shifting Tech Landscape

By MAXX Potential

A shifting tech landscape demands that technologists center themselves in strong mental models while growing their timeless talents to ensure their career longevity. One of the constants in technology is change. 

This resiliency in thinking and skills will help technologists to excel in their tech careers no matter how the tech industry changes, grows, or pivots.

How Mental Models Make You A Stronger Thinker

“For me, it’s like, how do you picture and put things in your brain?” Rahim Islam, MAXX Potential Solution Delivery Manager, shared. “That’s how I think of mental models.”

Farnham Street explains that, “A mental model is simply a representation of how something works. We cannot keep all of the details of the world in our brains, so we use models to simplify the complex into understandable and organizable chunks.”

What we can learn from this is that as we each continue in our careers we can build on our mental models for analyzing problems.

first principles image

A Popular Mental Model: The Concept of First Principles

According to Farnham Street, First Principles is one of the core mental models because, “First-principles thinking is one of the best ways to reverse-engineer complicated problems and unleash creative possibility.”

“It really comes from philosophy.” John Dlugokecki, MAXX Potential Partner, shared. “So breaking things down into indivisible axioms is the very academic explanation, and then using those axioms to create foundational truths for building your solution.”

This way of thinking is not how many adults choose to think. In fact, most people lean into the established “this is how it’s always been done.”

Believe it or not, the humans that think best in the concept of first principles are children.

Children rely on the question “why” to understand the world around them. Their constant litany of “why” often annoys their parents, babysitters, teachers, and nearby adults. Yet, this technique of exploring the world helps children make connections.

Bringing the concept of “why” into the boardroom can frustrate coworkers, and it can get to the root of a problem. When a team of people are willing to follow the “why” to its root, great things happen.

5 Timeless Talents for a Shifting Tech Landscape

Beyond mental models, we’ve determined five timeless talents to help technologists in an ever changing tech industry. We believe that strengthening the following talents can help you ride the changes in tech: communication, adaptability, problem solving, lifelong learning, and collaboration.

Communication

Being able to explain an idea through words, whether spoken or written, is an essential skill for technologists who plan to make tech their long-time career. The key component clarifies confusing information and streamlines project collaboration.

Adaptability

Technology is known for its rapid change, and with that knowledge, technologists must exercise their adaptability. How quickly do you pivot to new ideas? Are you willing to try different styles and systems of doing things? What do you do to stay relevant in an ever-changing environment?

“As long as you’re comfortable being in a state of not having everything mastered and you’re comfortable with that, you tend to open up a lot more to learning more, to feedback, to new ideas.” Rahim observed.

Problem Solving

When it comes to problem solving, John pointed out that, “Using the right tool for the right job may sometimes mean using older, more established tools. If you’re just upgrading or replacing for the sake of replacing, that’s not necessarily good problem solving.”

Lifelong Learning

Part of technology is constantly learning new ideas, systems, and possibilities. The more tools you understand and are exposed to, the better for knowing what tool works best in different situations. When you’re a technologist, you’re committing to a career filled with unending learning.

Collaboration

Engineers and technologists need to consider the people aspect of their projects and solutions. When you’re working with a team or a client, technologists prioritize how the end users will interact with the final product. The newest trends and technologies are exciting, but if no one can use it, what’s the point?

Partner with MAXX to invest in the future

Are you ready to work with eager and talented MAXX Apprentices who exhibit these five timeless talents? Partner with MAXX Potential today at MaxxPotential.com/Business-Solutions.