54751
Permit No. 3
Menomonie, WI
US Postage Paid
1st Class Mail
In an effort to spark discussion between parents and students about life as a middle school/high school student and college, we have decided to incorporate some discussion questions into our newsletter. We hope they provide a starting point for some great conversations!
What does it mean to take a rigorous curriculum?
What is the value in taking extra math and science courses in high school, even if they are not required to graduate?
What is the value in taking a foreign language course?
Below are some easy ways to combine technology with learning.
• Use GoogleMaps to help plan a vacation or family trip. You can plot the latitude and longitude of your destination, locate rest stops, and determine the quickest route between destinations.
• Try out some mobile apps! Use the ACT Student app on your iPhone or iPad to help your high school student prepare for the ACT test. You can try out the CollegeSearch app from ACT as well.
• Stay on top of your reading with a e-reader (like the Amazon Kindle or Barnes and Noble NOOK) and download all things “e” such as e-books, magazines, word games and more.
University of Wisconsin-Stout – 13 Harvey Hall – Menomonie, WI 54751
(715) 232-1250 www.uwstout.edu/ets
Carolyn Mertz, Interim Director
mertzc@uwstout.edu
Heather Barke, Advisor
barkeh@uwstout.edu
Karen Smolarek, Advisor
smolarekk@uwstout.edu
Jennifer Giesking, Office Associate
gieskingj@uwstout.edu
UW-Stout’s Educational Talent
Search is a 100% federally funded
TRiO Program serving 700+ students annually with $296,548 awarded per budget period
Do you remember what life was like before we were consumed by email, cell phones, texting and iPods? Technology has become such a big part of our everyday life that we sometimes forget how things used to be! Within the past five or so years, technology integration in the classroom has been the trend. Integrating technology into the classroom has helped students gain the skills they need to survive in a global society dependent on technology. It’s a simple fact- technology can make learning easier, more interactive and more fun. It can also foster the skills needed to be an independent thinker and a team player. By using technology in the classroom, students are given more freedom to think critically and explore new academic options in completing assignments. Furthermore, technology also makes it easier for educators to teach to all learning styles and the individual learner.
There are many ways to incorporate technology into the classroom. Educators can use technology to display information, monitor and engage students, and create visuals like charts and videos. Technology in the classroom goes beyond the Internet; more and more educators have SMART boards (interactive whiteboards) that give the students an opportunity for enhanced participation within a lesson and greater visuals.
More examples of technology in the classroom are the use of blogs,
Twitter, wikis, iPads, Smartphones and e-readers.
It is important that students have a willingness to learn these new technologies to make them more successful when it comes to academics and a job search. Knowing how to find and present information in a variety of ways will be very beneficial to students when they get to college. In fact, while teachers, professors and employers used to hand out paper copies of assignments and applications, many of these materials are now found solely online. The more technology the students know the more competitive and marketable they will be in the workforce.
Employers are looking for employees that have top-notch computer skills and are able to use modern technology. So if you think college or a job are in your future (and we hope they are), make every effort to learn and stay current with technology!
W i s c o n s i n ’ s P o ly t e c h n i c U n i v e r s i t y
Educational Talent Search
University of Wisconsin-Stout
13 Harvey Hall
Menomonie, WI 54751

Test Date
December 10, 2011
February 11, 2012
April 14, 2012*
June 9, 2012*
Registration Deadline
November 4, 2011
January 13, 2012
March 9, 2012
May 4, 2012
(Late Fee Required)
November 5 – 18, 2011
January 14 – 20, 2012
March 10 – 23, 2012
May 5 – 18, 2012
• Your ACT score will be between 1-36. This score is used by colleges as one piece of the admissions puzzle.
• The test looks at four areas: English, Math, Reading and Science. There is an optional Writing portion. You should look at the schools you plan to apply to as a senior to see whether or not the Writing portion of the test is required.
• The ACT is a measure of college readiness, not how smart you are!
• There are many easy ways to practice for the ACT. You can log on to www.actstudent.org for practice questions and full tests. A simple Google search will provide practice tests galore!
*This test date is recommended for all Juniors. We recommend students take the ACT twice. Test fee waivers are available- see your ETS Advisor for more information.
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Northcentral Technical College
Madison Area Technical College
Winona State University
Fox Valley Technical College
University of Minnesota- Rochester
University of Wisconsin-Stout
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
University of Wisconsin-Marathon County
University of Minnesota- Duluth
Globe University
St. Norbert College
Rasmussen College
Montana State University
Creighton University
Central Lakes College- Brainerd
The global community we all live in requires us to be able to communicate with people from all over the world.
Sure, taking a credit or two of a foreign language in high school may not be your idea of a good time, but it does make you more college-ready and globally competitive when it comes to applying for jobs. It also broadens your travel opportunities!
*Below is a list of jobs for language majors.
Business
Communications
Education
Humanities
International lawyer, public relations, import/export agent, sales, fashion industry
Editor, foreign correspondent, interpreter, journalist, photographer, advertising, film and entertainment, customer service, foreign travel advisor
Foreign language teacher, study abroad coordinator, overseas corporate instructor, government employee, intelligence officer, immigration and customs agent, textbook author/editor, missionary or volunteer work
Travel writer, travel agent, linguist, historian, critic, theology, philosophy, hotel/restaurant manager or owner
Science & Technology Software localization specialist, medical researcher, nurse, anthropologist, lab technician, researcher, web developer/manager
*For more information about learning a second language, check out On Track Magazine, September 2010 edition.
A visit to UW-Madison with a focus on
SCIENCE!
A trip to Target Field to learn more about career opportunities within the field of athletics
It’s a summer campus caravan to UW-Eau Claire and UW-River Falls!