Are Wearable Computers the Future?

About the Author:
Logan Harper is a digital strategist for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's MPA@UNC: Master of Public Administration and MBA@UNC: Master of Business Administration programs. In addition to higher education, he is also passionate about travel, cooking, and international politics. Follow him on Twitter @harperlogan.

From subway riders of New York City to celebrities in Palo Alto, wearable computers are popping up in our everyday lives.

Currently, products mainly consist of eyewear such as goggles or watch-like bracelets. And for some tech enthusiasts, these new products may just be the natural progression of technology. But for many, the possibility and longevity of wearable computers can certainly be questioned.

Leading companies like Google, Apple and Nike are investing their success in these innovative product lines to persuade current smartphone users to stop staring down at their personal technology and instead experience the world around them.

Nike developed Nike+ so athletes can better track training sessions, mileage, times and overall improvement in their workout sessions. Microsoft recently filed a patent application for a product that can provide real-time data at sporting events.

Google's Project Glass eyewear that seeks to allow wearers to continue online searches, conversations and even identify a best route to their destination - all while looking straight ahead on their path.

And Apple is rumored to be designing the iWatch, which is a combination iPod touch and piece of jewelry. These product developments are just the beginning and we can expect an influx in additional wearable computers as consumers get over Bluetooth and further into tech.

Steve Mann has advocated for wearable computer products, such as eyewear, since the 1970s and even designed the "EyeTap Digital Eye Glass" in 1999. That Eye Glass design looks impressively similar to today's Google Glass update and judging from the current media coverage, consumers seem to be ready for it. Of course there are many questions regarding privacy, pricing and the simple argument of being "too connected." But it does not seem like we should expect these fears to slow down product development.

The potential benefits of wearable computers include better health monitoring, decrease in technology-based accidents like car crashes and increased grassroots management of global development projects.

Eventually, we may see the full immersion of these wearable computers. Similar to how smart phones and tablets quickly dispersed throughout populations. Wearable computers are already finding homes all over the world.

The trends of wearable computers are clearly toward further development and immersion into our everyday lives. It will definitely take some time before you are personally using Google Glass while driving to avoid the latest traffic jam in Los Angeles, but it will certainly happen sooner rather than later. The more hype around these products produces increased pressure to distribute them quickly.

5 Skills of the Successful Healthcare Administrator

If you watch television, listen to the radio or read the newspaper, you've heard that careers in the healthcare field are booming. Having a career in healthcare doesn't mean that you have to get hands-on with patients if you don't have the desire to do so. There are dozens of careers in the healthcare field that you may enjoy. If you have a mind for numbers and an eye for detail, you may enjoy a career in administration. Here are the five skills that successful healthcare administrators possess:

1.Communication

In order to be a great administrator, you've got to have excellent communication skills. You'll need to be able to speak to department heads, workers, customers and peers with respect and honesty. You'll need to utilize your communication skills to establish relationships with industry executives and co-workers. You'll also need to facilitate positive relationships between workers and help build successful interactions between managers and employees.

2. Professionalism

As an administrator, you will need to maintain a cehospirtain level of professionalism. While there's nothing that says you can't have fun at your job, you do need to maintain the respect of those that you work with and those that you supervise. Your professional attitude should be carried with you outside of the office as well. There should be no doubt in the eyes of the healthcare community that you are well-skilled at your profession. Remember that you represent your hospital both on and off of the clock.

3. Knowledge of the Field

To succeed as a healthcare administrator, you obviously need to have knowledge of the field. You'll need to know the ins and outs of policies, the latest advances in technology and what makes good hospitals better. It will be up to you to seek out educational opportunities that will give you the knowledge to be better at your job. The more you know, the more your hospital or clinic will benefit and you will as well. The more knowledge that you gain, the further you can advance in your career.

4. Leadership

Every great administrator is able to lead a team of people effectively and fairly. You must be able to create goals for your team and lead them towards the fruition of objectives. To lead people effectively, you've got to treat them with fairness and respect. Rather than applying a drill sergeant attitude, lead by example. You'll find that you gain more respect and admiration if you are willing to get down in the trenches with the people who work for you.

5. Flexibility

The world of healthcare is an evolving one; you've got to be able to roll with the punches and adjust your thinking when necessary. If you remain stagnant in your thinking and refuse to change, you'll quickly become redundant in the eyes of your employers. You need to be comfortable with change, or at least willing to adapt to it, to find success in the healthcare field. The good news is that flexibility is something that you can practice; if you aren't good at it now, start practicing thinking outside of the box and changing your attitude towards change.

Healthcare administrators are an important group of people doing good work. If you have an interest in the medical field and possess the five qualities above, there's very little doubt that you'll find success in healthcare.

Anne Smith is a full-time writer for higher ed blogs and journals nationwide. Several schools offer degrees in the health field, including University of Southern California and Berkeley University