information technology curriculum and practical opportunities in automation
As previous advances in technology have made their way to the factory floor, they have historically been met with corresponding adjustments in qualifications and training. Yet, a survey of two-year college catalogs reveals that the proliferation of information technology in automation has apparently failed to fully trigger such a paradigm shift. This may well be due to the misconception of familiarity with the technology, yet an analysis of IT issues in such a department-legacy equipment, sustainability issues, network and system policies-reveals that this may be the most dangerous aspect of the deficiencies. As IT instruction is prevalent and available at the community college level, the expansion of its influence and reach into traditional automation curricula is an immediate answer. A more forward looking possibility is the integration of the technicians themselves at the factory level.
integration information technology instruction industrial electronics curriculum expansion automation technician