Alumni
Dates Set for All-School Reunion
Mark your calendars, the next All-School Reunion will be held July 1-4, 2011.
Plans are also being made to hold Armour’s 125th Anniversary celebration during the reunion.
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Armour Students Reach Out to Alumni
March 20, 2009
Armour second through eighth graders are currently sending letters and e-mails to graduates of the Armour School District as part of their current lessons about technology. In their correspondence, the students are sharing information about the kinds of technology they are studying. For example, second graders are learning how to create PowerPoint presentations.
In an effort to create a “real world” connection, students are asking Armour alumni to share how they use technology in their daily lives. Whether it’s at home or work, how is technology a part of your life? Please respond in the comments.
{ 18 comments }
I just wrote a whole comment and lost it! That’s technology too I guess…
Anyway, thank you to my niece Justine Hartmann for remembering me in this project of how alumni use technology. (If what I wrote a moment ago somehow actually got submitted please delete this.)
I live with my husband Jeff and sons John and David in Taichung, Taiwan. We are here teaching English. I teach 2nd and 3rd year students ages 6-11. Jeff teaches college students.
I use the internet quite a bit in preparing my lessons for my classes. For example this month my 2nd year students are studying endangered animals, ie. panda, Galapagos giant tortoise and tiger. We also studied Taipei Zoo, San Diego Zoo, Galapagos Island and Tiger Island in Australia. It’s so great to go on-line and get real airline information, a picture of the airplane (including interior and the food!). I also got photos of the entrance. We blew up the zoo maps and attached pictures of actual animals in the zoos onto the maps. We talked about entrance fees and zoo rules. My students know how to get to the San Diego Zoo and what to do once they arrive. I told them everyone speaks English there. They groaned. I told them, “So do you!” They cheered.
My 3rd year students are studying weather so we down load the forecast and the students fill out their weather charts. They are learning about barometric pressure, humidity, dewpoint, wind, etc.
Jeff teaches English and Bible at a Bible School. He founded “To the Ends of the Earth Ministries” when we were ministering in the Philippines and he continues to add interesting information to our http://www.totheends.com website. You can read about the seminars, questions and answers, articles he has written on Israel, Bible, creation science, historical geography, dinosaurs in the Bible. He has even posted his book on Revelation for anyone to read. Check it out.
We also enjoy using Skype to keep in contact with friends and relatives living abroad. Not only can we talk to them on-line we can see them talk back to us on our computer monitors! The future is here. Our daughter is in China and my parents Paul and Mildred Hartmann are in Armour. We can talk to them easier than we could talk to neighbors on the telephone when we were kids!
Greetings to all the people of Armour! God bless you.
This message is from Whitney Wright.
I use telephones or cell phones everyday to keep in contact with family and friends while I am away…
I use computers to pay bills, email friends/family, search for information, and even to look at different cites I have accounts on:)
I use cameras to recap moments and places I’ve been…remembering friends and sites I see
I use my ipod for all the music I listen to when I’m going to the gym or running down the street
I would like to encourage any Alumni to post a response for the students even if you did not receive an email or letter from a student. As of today 4 classes have sent out letters or emails. Thank you in advance for sharing with the students and helping them by using technology to make connections with their academic courses.
Thank you to all Armour Alumni in their letter writing contributions. Technology is a huge part of education today and it’s ever growing advancements will help pave the way for our next generation of leaders
Thank you!!!
Austin,
As a nursing student, I use all kinds of technology every day. At Avera Queen of Peace, where we do our clinical practice, we are experiencing the integration of computerized charting. This means that instead of writing out of our patients’ information on paper, we type it into a special computer system. This is helpful, because instead of having to hand deliver the patients’ information to the doctor, etc, they can access it from their office at any time. This also presents some challenges, because if the computers aren’t working, we can’t access much of the information we need. Also, it is hard to get used to for the experienced nurses who for many years were used to writing everything on paper.
Another aspect of technology I see at the hospital is as simple as our vitals machines. They provide more accurate readings of our patients’ pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and temperature. They are fast, easy to use, and save us a lot of time.
If I have a diabetic patient, I have to do a test on them callled a glucometer. This tests the glucose levels in their blood and determines if I have to give them a shot of insulin. Today’s technology makes it so simple that it only takes five minutes. I scan their patient identification band, insert a special reading strip into a machine, prick their finger to draw a drop of blood, and the machine tells me within seconds what their glucose level is.
One of the classes I am taking here at school is completely online. It is called Community Health and Disease. It takes a lot of self discipline, but it is really helpful to do an online class. I can do it any day I want, as long as I turn in my work by the deadline. We go through a chapter each week. Our teacher communicates with us through e-mail, and every week we post discussions in an online bulletin area for our class, where we also communicate with classmates about the material we are covering. Generally, I prefer to have regular class face to face with a teacher, but this class fits well with my schedule and so far is turning out beneficial.
Hello students,
Computers are not only a modern convenience in my personal life for things like banking, photos, communication, e-mail, maintenance on my vehicles, and numerous other things, they are absolutely critical for my job. Without them, my job would be impossible.
As a airline pilot, I fly a Boeing 767 to all corners of the earth. In the old days, the aircraft I flew simply couldn’t fly as far and as long as we do know. The airplanes were flown by hand and the they didn’t even have a single microchip on them. The ultra long haul flying that we do and the complexity of the aircraft that I fly now require computers to manage the incredible number of calculations required to navigate long distances and monitor the condition of the aircraft. The computers on the airplane allow me to use satellites to navigate, make telephone calls to our operational control center, enable me to look at worldwide weather LIVE, troubleshoot the mechanical systems on the aircraft, and compensate for atmospheric changes that enable me to stretch the efficiency of the aircraft to stay aloft for as much as 20 hours by maximizing every pound of fuel that I have.
While I was in the Air Force, I flew for group that would fly through hurricanes to collect the weather information inside the storm. We would collect information like wave height, barometric pressure, wind and rain velocity, wind shear, and many other items and process it with computers and then send the data via satellite right from the hurricane to the National Weather Service so they could predict how bad the hurricane was going to be and where it might go so they could evacuate people out of the storms path.
Hi Courtney,
As a General Manager for Regus (selling and managing executive office space), I would not be able to do my job without technology. My company is based in Europe and is primarily web based. All company communication comes via email. When our internet service is “down”, production grinds to a screeching halt!
Currently, we use Excel for most formats, but also Access, Word (of course), and Publisher. My employees actually punch in on-line to record time for their paychecks. I spend about 60% of my day working on a laptop responding to clients and my corporate office (reports, sales database management, employee records, etc.)
Personally at home, I am lost without internet service. You can’t find anything in a city without using it, it seems.. Good luck with this project and absorb all the technology information you can…the future will require it.
Tay and I look forward to seeing you in less than two weeks!! = ~ )
Hunter,
I use a lot of technology in my personal and professional life. As a Mechanical Engineer, I design objects and systems that we use every day. I utilize my computer daily to run 3D modeling/design software, finite element modeling/analysis software, test data recording & analysis software, Excel spreadsheets, MatLab/SimuLink programs, email, and the internet. Many have commented on the wonderful uses of technology, but I will twist the view a little and give you my thoughts on its limitations.
Although technology is a great help, there are many instances in which it doesn’t give you exactly what you need. I frequently run into situations where computer modeling/simulation only takes you so far, and requires real-life/hands-on testing in order to be confident in the results. Basic engineering concepts and long-hand calculations are still used to check the computer’s results. Many of the structures that engineers design can result in serious injury or death if they fail—so fully relying on technology is not a common work practice.
Overall, the software and technology that I use allows engineers to push the design envelope to the edge. It saves HOURS of work, and enables us to reach to heights that we never thought were possible. What you (and others) need to remember is that the computer is only as smart as the person running it!
Hi Nina,
Technology is used in most aspects of my life from playing games on the computer (one of my favorites), using the cell phone while away from home, at work and at home. Life as I know it would be completely different without technology. It is great to know that you are learning to use computers in the lower grades at school.
This letter is to Jack Hartmann.
Dear Jack,
Thanks for including me in your school project on technology in your daily life or job.
I will talk about technology used in my job. First of all as you know I am an Emergency Vehicle Technician for Sioux Falls Fire Rescue. Which means I am one of the mechanics that takes care of the maintenance and repair of the fire trucks and fire equipment for the Sioux Falls Fire Department.
One way we use technology is with a pressure sensor on the fire pump that keeps the firefighters safe.
Here is how it works; lets say there are six firefighters spraying water onto a fire, two on each of three hoses. The firemen always work in teams of at least two or more. Another fireman is running the truck and the best pressure to pump to the hoses is 100 psi (pounds per square inch) and all of a sudden one hose has to be shut down. This would cause the other two to get too much pressure and that could injur the firemen trying to hold the hose.
Here is where the technology comes to help. The pressure sensor feels too much pressure in the fire pump and it sends an electronic signal to the engine to slow down. As the engine slows down it slows the pump down and lowers the pressure so nobody gets hurt.
That is just one of the many ways technology helps firefighters.
I hope you have fun learning all about technology it is very important to our lives and very interesting how it works.
Good luck,
Uncle Dan
Hi Ryan, thank you for including me in your project. Tell your friend Dexter hi too (his mom and I are very good friends). I am the Vice President of Human Resources at Sioux Falls Federal Credit Union. I live in Sioux Falls with my husband Kerry and my three sons – Walker(6th gr), Wyatt(3rd gr) and Hayden(almost 4 yrs old). My job responsibilities center around using the computer and internet. Even though my company is relatively small, we communicate with one another by e-mail because it is quick and very efficient and it allows us to share information in a variety of ways. A lot of the things I do for our employees use different software programs or websites. For the most part, I use Microsoft Word and Excel for almost every project I work on. Occasionally I will put together Powerpoint presentations for our employees’ training. Of course, my family uses cell phones to communicate with one another throughout the day and typically text instead of call one another because it is less noisy/disruptive. I also use my e-mail at home to stay in touch with my sister Carla and my brother Mike since they live in different time zones from me. My family loves sharing our photographs through an online photo website called Shutterfly. I think it’s great that you are interested in learning more about how to use technology and that it will help the alumni connect with one another. Best of luck!
Dexter and Kera,
I use technology daily at work in the form of email and phone to keep in contact with coworkers and clients, a computer network to work on files, and Power Point for presenting to clients. At home I use technology to keep in contact with friends and family by utilizing the telephone and computer, and to manage day to day household chores.
Kendra,
I work as a partsman at Noteboom Imp. I use a wireless headset so I can type on my computer and look up parts and also check inventory behind the counter at the same time. The equipment I sell parts for can be equiped for GPS systems and AutoSteer programs. That means the equipment can go up and down a field without a driver, but can not turn around on its own.
To Brended VanDerWerff and the Armour Sixth Grade Class;
Technology is used in many ways in fuel wholesaling and trucking businesses. Petroleum rack prices change daily for each supplier (Cenex, BP, Shell, Flint Hills, etc), at each terminal location (Sioux Falls, Yankton, Wolsey, etc) and for each product (unleaded gas, ethanol blend, premium unleaded, diesel fuel, propane, etc). Every afternoon, we receive thousands of prices that are automatically imported into a SQL-database. These prices can also change during the day when a market is strongly moving up or down. This database software will automatically sort (among the various suppliers and supply points) to determine the best delivered cost for a customer. Each customer’s database information contains the specifics relation to freight cost from various terminals, state and federal taxes, etc. This automation of the pricing database has saved countless hours. 10-years ago, each price was manually typed into an Excel spreadsheet using faxed pricing information from the supplier.
Another way technology is used is automated tank inventory monitoring. For a few years now, we have been adding locations to our website… such that we can better-monitor the number of gallons remaining. When the tank is getting low, we can see exactly how many gallons they can hold in each tank. This allows the truck to be dispatched with the maximum amount of the highest-demand product.
We are currently investigating a new piece of hardware to place in the cabs of semi-trucks. These onboard computers will likely be Windows XP or Windows CE based. When the truck driver is delivering to a location, he or she is responsible to obtain both beginning and ending inventory readings. some of these miscellaneous bits of information are mailed back to the office. With a new in-cab system, we hope to image-scan the information for immediate processing. Another advantage of recent technology improvements is that the new system will likely be Wi-Fi compatible (802.11-g or newer). Historically, data transition from trucks was only possible through cell phone-based or satellite-based communication providers. Those services can be quite costly when sending large file-sizes via those means. The new system can make the decision not to send the information until it has linked into a Wi-Fi network – then send those large files at no additional cost. If the truck does not come in contact with a WiFi network after a number of hours, the computer can then make the decision to send via cellular connection once the file becomes too old (any number of hours we would designate as the file age limit).
We are excited about technology applications at Harms Oil. These technology improvements should allow us to become more accurate and efficient than in the past.
Good luck, Brenden, with your project!
I use computers at work to document patient care, how they are doing and all of their demographic information. I also use it after procedure to let the doctor know how they are doing. We also use the computer to schedule patients. Our time clock is computerized and takes our fingerprint rather than a name and if it doesn’t work it takes our picture. At home I use the computer for communications, resumes, applications and also to get information about any and everything. I often get the news from the computer. I use my cell phone to take pictures, call people and to text people. Much of my truck is computerized. It tells me the oil status, how many miles I have left with the gas I have and converts the seats etc back to my settings if some one else drives the truck. My MP3 player connects to the computer to get me new music. These are just a few of the resources technology has given me.
Jordan, I am using technology to say hello to you. Love ya –Aunt Lana
My daily work in the Air Force involves a lot of technology.
When I’m working in the training office in my squadron, I’m responsible for tracking over 300 Airmen’s training and currency for flying. I use a PC and printer to generate training documents that are placed in the Airman’s training folder that track all training and evaluations for their career.
When I fly on my plane (the E-3 Sentry AWACS), I use computers to detect, identify, and report all air traffic flying within the reach of our airborne radar. I also use radio’s and satellite communications to pass information to ground and airborne agencies.
This is just a small part of all the technology that I use in my every day life but I can’t imagine living without it.
A response to Hayden from Jon Coler.
I am a senior at the University of South Dakota technology had been a very large part of my education. Daily I must use email in order to keep up on activities in my classes. Writing papers makes a computer a very useful tool. I also use a program through the university called D2L that gives us a links to our classes where I can have access to many different things such as class notes or additional reading that is required. My cell phone is another technology that I use quite often.
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