Tools, Tools, Tools!

“The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.” Bill Gates

I agree this is not the most creative title I could think of, but it works. When it comes to evaluate the Web 2.0 tools I have a mix of feelings. In one hand I truly enjoyed learning to put a blog together, but in the other I did run into some technical issues. My first blog seemed so easy that I wondered how come I never tried before. That was until I tried to re-entered my blog and found out that I could not access it because I probably did something wrong during the creation process (yes, that is why was so easy and so fast!) So I let that one hanging there somewhere in cyberspace and started another blog. I was more successful in the process of creating my second blog; However, I don’t think it can be a popular blog. The content is limited and more a reflection writing style that a reader oriented page. I suppose as I practice I could learn more ways to make my blog interesting and appealing.
The second tool we learned to use in this class was the wikis. The wikis it is a tool that help people to interact in “real time” and it works good for group collaboration. I liked, especially the way it helped us to put our team project together. I had used a different tool called Google document in a previous class. Google Document allows you to do corrections and update the document but it works different that the wikis. One thing I liked about wikis was the way our leader color coded our names to indicate where our part of the document needed to be.
Finally, we also used the Blackboard chat room. This tool has taught me a lesson. I was unable to access it from the Bellevue Library because of the security system. That was very surprising to me. I thought that a product that is part of the Blackboard system will be easily access from a location that supports Blackboard. After talking on the phone with the tech I learned that because Java is a third party sometimes the security of the library system does not allow the downloading. I must also mention that I am not computer wise and I don’t have the latest gadgets, or the fastest connection, and newest program. All those details played an important role in how effective the tools are. In other words, I think the collaboration tools are efficient to support collaborative work, but their effectiveness varies, depending of the level of knowledge, the quality of the equipment, the speed of the server and how modern your programs are.
After reflecting on this I had made the decision of holding on in my next online class until I can afford a Laptop with a newer program than my computer. That way I can go to places that have Wi-Fi to get my work down rather than depend on the library or on my home computer!

Web 2.0 ups and downs!

Well I have made it to week 7 on this class. It is interesting and fun and I am really enjoying the learning. That was until last night when I have to meet on the chat room with my classmates and I could not download the Java Bridge. It was an embarrassing experience, but I guess it is another way to learn. Any way, the team meeting was successful and my team members posted the information to keep me on track. I am worry about the wiki project so I better try to learn how to use that before next week. I'll keep you posted!

Growing As A Family: A Big Challenge!

My work place is related to education. Before I worked in there, I was a student at the same place. It used to be a small University where everybody knew everybody. Kind of a family type of enviroment.

Few years ago the place went under major changes. Their online programs started to attract not only students but also corporations. In a way, this is a good thing, because business is flourishing. The place have efficient and knowledgeable people, which helpes to make the transition smoother.

However, there is one area that worries me. Because of its continues growing,the place is leaning toward a "corporation" type of enviroment. Will that special "family" environment will be lost with the growing?

I know that my work place is constantly trying to improve by listening, researching and innovating the way they do business, but I feel they should focus in this particular topic:
is there a possibility to have the best of both worlds, the family environment and the growth at the same time? It is possible to use the P.O.S.T. system, and give people what they need? This is a big challenge because in today's business world you are either a big corporation or a small business. Yet my employer is an innovator and have tackle bigger challenges before.

Getting Acquainted with technology

Welcome to the Technology of the 21st Century! I was so excited about this class I hardly could wait to start! This is because I am not very acquainted with Technology. The first week of this class was interesting and we started with a relatively fun project. The class had to set a personal Blog in the web and then submit the URL address into the online classroom. I was very excited about learning and went and set up a fine looking account…

Well, I am learning a lot about Blogging lately. For example, you can set an account the wrong way and you will not be able to log back in! This is my second attempt to set a Blog account, and I really hope it works this time. I love my privacy and I am worry about living my tracks all over the internet, but this is fun to learn.

I look forward to interact with other 21st century learners and share experiences, exchange ideas and concerns, and move forward into the new technology. Happy learning everyone!