Virtually in the Classroom

After reading "Learning in Second Life: Virtual Education" and "Augmented Reality vs. Virtual Reality: Which one is More Real?", and considering the fact that I'm a college student who is majoring in Business, let's just say I have mixed feelings about virtual education.

I am aware that many universities embrace online courses and web-based systems like Blackboard to increase revenue while promoting distance learning. But take it a step further...try to visualize virtual education. Don't get me wrong, from an educational and business viewpoint, I thing its a great idea. For instance, the recent blizzards and snowstorms we experienced this winter; with virtual education professors would not have to worry about rescheduling class materials or sessions.

But from a student's point of view or my opinion, I would hate virtual education. If I'm at home, I want to relax and spend time with my family or friends and not have to worry about school. I want to sleep in late, play in the snow or do whatever it is that I felt like doing at the time. Again, don't get me wrong here because I value online classes. At least if or when I registered for the class I knew it was going to be virtual. But if I had to make a conscious decision about registering for a traditional or virtual class....guess which one I'm picking?

LinkedIn has been around since 2003, but I only heard of it like a year ago. I was visiting Seattle with the Road Scholars group and every headquarter we visited encouraged us to use LinkedIn. They were saying that LinkedIn was the new way to network while building contacts. So needless to say that I have a LinkedIn account.

In my opinion, having a LinkedIn account is like having an online resume. Your profile features your experience, education, personal and other additional information. And the best part, your contacts and recommendations. Your recommendations make your profile more valuable and through your contacts you can build and network with potential contacts. Also, I thought its was a great idea to have a LinkedIn account because when I google my name that's the first thing that shows up along with other associated works. So if potential employers google you, chances are if you have a LinkedIn account you won't be so embarrassed.

However, after reading "How to Get the Most Out of LinkedIn" and "How to Change the World: Ten Ways to Use LinkedIn" I learned some interesting things. For example, "People with more than twenty connections are thirty-four times more likely to be approached with a job opportunity than people with less than five". Well, I have 22 connections with 2 recommendations for a year and was never approached with a job opportunity. Apart from updating my profile every once in a while, I've done nothing with my account. So my question to you is...if you have a LinkedIn account, how long have you had it and what have you done with it?

MoSoSo

After a not so welcoming winter break, I'm more tired than ever. I'm actually surprising myself because I had no idea that I could write a blog with one eye open while my brain is somewhat half asleep (some skills huh?). Anyway, let's get down to business before my other eye decides to close. So for this week I read "Thumb Novels: Mobile Phone Fiction" and "Students' new best friend: 'MoSoSo'".

MoSoSo or Mobile Social Networking Software is considered the next big consumer technology shift because these technologies nowadays are so addictive. Its so addictive that we spend more time on cyber-social networks, texting and tweeting, sending photos, watching television and playing games instead of simply talking on the phone.

Despite its success and popularity in the US, Twitter is struggling in Japan. The Japanese youngsters prefer mobile-phone fiction (Keitai shosetsu) rather than texting or updating their social networking profiles. At first, I experienced culture shock just by reading the article. But after learning that their commute averages 2 hours and most youngster don't have a PC, I can understand their passion for reading short-stories via their mobiles.

I appreciate the culture difference between the US and Japan even though we both use our mobiles frequently for other activities rather than talking. And though its a small similarity, I doubt that Keitai shosetsu phenomenon would ever become popular in the west. What do you think?

Corporate Blogging

Hi again, hoped you all enjoyed the beauty and privileges of having snow days. I sure did. But let's not delay and get down to business. For this week, I read "On Corporate Blogging: Interview with Don Martelli of MS&L - Technorati Blogging" and "10 Harsh Truths About Corporate Blogging - Smashing Magazine".

My thoughts on Corporate Blogging....To be completely honest, I consider myself new to the blogosphere. I thought blogging was considered a leisure activity for just about anyone. I thought blogging was an extension for social network, in addition to updating profile status. But after reading the articles above, I learned and realized how companies can use blogging as a marketing tool to build brand awareness.

I learned that corporate blogging is one way to publish a company's story. It allows companies to speak and engage directly with their customers. In addition to increasing brand awareness, companies can test ideas and get feedback from their customers. If you ask me, its a win-win situation because you listen to your customers (needs/complaints) and aim to satisfy their desires. There's no need to guess or assume because these requests came directly from the customers.

However, I have a few questions as usual...apart from building and maintaining brand awareness what other benefits do corporate blogging provide? And do you think that corporate blogging can be considered an extended version of customer service?