Field Trips on Second Life

I can see the benefits of a virtual classroom, such as during the snowpocalypse or events that prevent a University from operating, but I would not chose to take a class completely in a virtual classroom. The major benefit of Second Life to me is the availability to take 'field trips' and showcase experiments that would not otherwise be safe or able to be perform in a class.

I really like the thought of being able to see the places that we all learn about, through something besides pictures. I feel like if we were able to experience 'seeing' a country or experiment, the outcome would be so much more educational and leave a more lasting impact on the students. I am really looking forward to checking Second Life out on Wednesday, now that I understand what it is about!

Learning in Second Life: Virtual Education

Virtual world, real money in 'Second Life'

Today's Resume

People used to apply to jobs by going to an interview for a company and bringing them their resumes. That is still mainly the case, but there is a twist, and that is personal branding. You can post your resume on multiple sites online and firms will contact you if they conduct a search and your resume meets their criteria.

We do personal branding without even knowing it sometimes. It's in who you are friends with on facebook and LinkedIn. What interests you list, and how you interact with people online is apart of your brand.


You can connect with others based on how you brand yourself. You can even brand yourself on the relationship sites like eharmony. The internet has allowed people to show people they have never met who they are. Are you proud of the brand you have created for yourself? Are you aware of how people of viewing you by viewing your social media accounts??

How to Get the Most Out of LinkedIn

The Brand Called You

Everyone is a Critic

I realized I read the wrong articles last week, so this post is actually in response to last weeks articles.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on everything today, and with the internet it has become way easier to share those opinions. If a customer has a poor experience it is much easier for them to post on some forum to get their opinion and experience out there, than writing to corporate headquarters. Not only will others actually hear about it, but the business will most likely have some type of response if the forum generates enough debate.

This age of social media is allowing consumers to have more of an opinion on what they are purchasing, and making companies more responsible for the products they are supplying!

How Many Reviewers Should Be in the Kitchen?

Why Conversational Marketing Requires Fundamental Business Change

Stalkers Paradise Beware

So this new phone is kind of creeping me out. I don't understand why you would want an application on your phone that basically stalks where your friends are. If you really want to hang out with someone you will call and make plans. Not look up their location on your phone, and just show up, that's creepy in my opinion.

I get the whole GPS angle and finding restaurants that are close by that is pretty cool, especially if you travel a lot and find yourself in unfamiliar places. But the GPS that is used to basically stalk your friends, family and potentially anyone is just strange. We are getting to the point where people really will have no privacy. Last week we were freaking out because of what people can see of us online because of facebook. Are we really willing to accept a technology that completely exposes you. I am all for developing new technologies, but I think this one is unnecessary and potentially a violation of people's privacy, even if you are allowed to disconnect from it. What if you forget?

For more information on the phone and technology I am talking about visit these links!

Students' new best friend: 'MoSoSo'

A Wireless Street Fight (TIME Magazine)

The Internet is Ruining Culture?

I get that many people post information on the web that might not be credible. Most people who are experienced at researching on the web realize that, but I don't view the massive amount of information on the web as a downfall in our society.

I believe that it allows for challenges to be made, against societal beliefs and views. Blogging has become a cultural phenomenon in my view. There was a movie made from a girl who blogged about cooking, did you ever hear about Julie & Julia? Blogging also has made it so that people are aware of situations that the news may not be reporting on, it is those grassroots movements that expose situations to the world. It is my personal belief that Web 2.0 may be changing the world of reporting and research, but only for the better!

Nobel Laureate Says The Internet Makes Us Dumb, We Say: Meh

The Digital Emperor Has No Clothes