CMC has landed in the online dictionary

i am shocked and upset to see that OMG, LOL & FYI have been added to the online oxford dictionary. while browsing online i came across this article....http://perezhilton.com/2011-03-25-oxford-english-dictionary-adds-omg-lol-and-fyi-to-its-pages. it's sad to see that we have reached the level where computer mediated communication has take a strangle hold on our English language. i understand that it's what makes us American (unique/different) but i don't see this going in the right direction for us. many people see Americans as unintelligent or lazy due to our language being so non-chalant & "informal" so this can be simply another thing to poke fun of us about. it all started with d'oh being accepted into the dictionary. now it seems we've created a slippery slope

spring break...such a joyous time

so since enrolling in this course i've noticed that social media/networking has become a hot topic in all forms of media. maybe it's been like this for awhile but since gaining knowledge on social media/networking it has become more apparent. it seems that there are stories in news papers on how social media is changing the landscape of business (like how Dana White has made UFC and mainly MMA in general seen to the masses via Twitter) & how it's calling for changes in many aspects (like cyber-bullying via Facebook & Myspace). i'm still shocked to see how social networking played a factor in the last presidential election.

i am glad to see that social media/networking can do good things for people. it's good to see that now a days if a child is abducted or someone wants to raise awareness about events, we now have the power to reach thousands in seconds thanks to Facebook & Twitter & Youtube. it's also good to see that justice is being served to those who have done wrong to others and think it's a good idea to post videos. a bouncer is getting jail time &  sued after an altercation in a strip club & the strip club is being shut down (i posted an earlier blog with the video about this incident). glad to see both good & bad coming from these outlets.

on a side note....did anyone find the website that was a major "help" for the mid term? boy did it help 

Online Education...for real this time

last weeks topic was rather interesting. i enjoyed the video by TED regarding online education and the push for it to become more accepted/used. there were many great points brought up by the speaker but online education is one of those things that has been a "wish-wash" experience for myself. i have taken online courses here at Sac State & at my community college as well. i have taken some that have lectures via the Internet and some that require students to attend a physical location once a week & take test in person. 

Online education is a great alternative to those students who work and/or have other demands that make attending school difficult. it also allows us student to learn in our "comfort zone" and that can help someone who typically doesn't enjoy going to school turn their perspective around. it can let a student learn the material in the best manner that suites them. another thing that was awesome (in my opinion) was the fact that many test were done via the internet it became open note/book. 

like many great things, there is another side that is less favorable in my opinion. the first problem that i see/experienced is that due to it's rather relaxed feeling, the student has to constantly remind themselves to actually do the assigned work. i found it rather easy to "forget" that something was due because i didn't have reminder. another problem is that i ran into was attempting to convert a videotaped lecture into written notes which required to keep up with the professor or have to rewind parts of lectures (if available). to go along with is the fact that you can't directly ask the professor a question and gain an immediate response like one can achieve in the typical classroom setting. 

While Online education may not be my cup of tea, it has benefited many people & will continue to benefit people. i guess i'm just an old school learner in the sense of going to a classroom.

mistake

the blog title from the 25th of February is titled wrong...it should be "Real vs. Cyber" not "Online Education." Took awhile for me to catch this