The following five guidelines for teaching machine dictation can contribute to the effectiveness of classroom efforts: develop positive attitudes toward machine dictation; develop proper techniques for using dictation equipment; develop the thought process for dictating; develop procedures for beginning, continuing, and ending the dictation; and…

Students should be trained to obtain employment in any kind of office regardless of the office's size, location, or the duties and tasks involved. Therefore, students should be taught as much as possible about the concept and actualization of word processing. (CT)

Colleges are not currently offering instruction in modern word processing techniques. If the changing needs of the business community are to be filled, flexible courses must be developed. (Author/MK)

In an individualized field trip approach, office procedures students identify an organization in their field of interest and observe an employee on the job to gain insight into job skills and clarify their career goals. (SK)

Interviews with 6 managers and 18 nonmanagers in clerical-administrative positions indicated the following: (1) they saw their role as either intelligent support, technical, advisor, or multiskilled pivotal employee; (2) duties depended on relationships with other workers; and (3) nonmanagers had a narrower vision of competence. (SK)

Examines levels of trait communication apprehension (CA) among students enrolled in college-level office administration (secretarial) programs. Posits that the CA level of these students would be higher than norms reported for other college students. Finds that office administration students are more anxious about communicating than are college…

Of a group of 165 female university support staff, 116 completed the Career Success Map Questionnaire identifying career orientation. Interviews with 20 subjects indicated that (1) none desired hierarchical advancement; (2) most placed family above work; (3) they liked challenging, varied work; (4) on-the-job social contact was motivating; and (5)…

Office professionals (n=490) completed a questionnaire related to their familiarity with database software, availability and type of database software used, how the software package was learned, frequency of use, features and applications used, and type of information stored. Findings show that database software is quickly becoming commonplace,…

Survey responses from 166 (35%) administrative support personnel and interviews with 55 revealed that technology enriched and upgraded their jobs; it enabled them to use thinking skills; and their success derived from overcoming computer anxiety and using initiative, flexibility, and confidence in their ability to learn. (JOW)

Rather than abandoning education in secretarial/office administration disciplines, universities should be leading the educational transformation required to exploit the potential of computer-based technologies. These new careers will require intellectual and skill development for innovation, flexibility for competitiveness, capacity for adjusting…

Compares the National Business Education Association's National Standards for Business Education and the Vocational Technical Education Consortium of States' Administrative Support Occupations Skills Standards. Discusses their use in preparing secondary and postsecondary students for the changing workplace. (SK)

Responses from 75 of 108 business educators indicated that most students took business courses to develop both job and personal-use skills; more than 50% were college bound. A substantial overlap between skills taught in secondary and postsecondary business shows a strong possibility for curriculum articulation. (SK)

The Human Rights Act 1998 is the most significant British statute to have been passed in the last decade. It has already been the catalyst for a series of high profile cases, ranging from the privacy rights of celebrities ("Douglas v Hello!" [2001] QB 967) to the Home Secretary's sentencing powers in murder cases ("R (Anderson) v…

Although word prediction software was originally developed for individuals with physical disabilities, little research has been conducted featuring participants with physical disabilities. Using the Co:Writer 4000 word prediction software, three participants with physical disabilities improved typing rate and spelling accuracy, and two of these…

Stating that mainstreaming is particularly appropriate for a typing class, the authors describe some materials, devices, and methods for teaching handicapped students how to type. They also offer grading and career guidance suggestions. (MF)