Online learning...on a normal college? Not a good idea

I found an article that talked about the disadvantages of online learning. Here are some of the key aspects:

Disadvantages of online college courses:

1. Discipline and time management skills are mandatory. With few time constraints other than deadlines, online course students are fully responsible for sticking to their own schedule. If you are someone who procrastinates too much and has trouble with time management, an online course may be a disaster for you.
2. Lack of direct interaction with the instructor. Some students prefer this, or don't find it to be a problem. But many students thrive from face-to-face interaction and attention from professors and may not do well without that interaction.
3. Isolation from fellow students. Some students love to sit in their jammies and chat with their classmates online and don't miss the classroom setting at all. Others find this environment to be very lonely. Ideally, classroom settings can become welcoming communities, and it's harder (although not impossible) to replicate that online. If you've been a member of online communities and enjoy this type of interaction, an online course might be for you. If this sounds unpleasant, though, you might be better off in a traditional classroom.
4. Credits may be difficult to transfer. If you are planning to transfer your online course into an existing or future program of study, be very careful. Before taking the class, contact your school and get a definite answer about whether this class will transfer. Research online courses and degrees carefully! Make sure the course is from an accredited institution.
5. Access to and knowledge of technology is required. You don't have to have a computer science background to take these classes, but you do need to be computer literate and comfortable with technology. You also need reliable access to a decent computer system and probably a high speed connection. (Contact the instructor ahead of time to find out exactly what you need.) If computers aren't your thing, maybe the traditional classroom would suit you better.

To see the original text, please see this link:
http://www.suite101.com/content/online-college-courses-a9807

Healthy snacks?

As a normal college student I live in a dorm. As usual, stay awake late at night to finish my homework. Around midnight, I start to feel hungry. I go downstairs to the looby and all I see in the vending machines are cookies, chips, candy and more candy. Do I have to blame the vending machines for my freshman, sophomore, junior and senior 15? Maybe yes. College students gain weight because they do not eat healthy. However, Del Monte Inc.  has launched a very successful campaign. The company has introduced some health snacks dispensers in schools and bus stations. It is a revolution in vending machines. I really hope that this vending machines can get here to Ozarks before I graduate to have some midnight healthy snacks.

To see more information about the healthy snacks technology and PR/Marketing strategies from the Del Monte's Banana Challenge see the following link:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303550904575562480804057778.html

About technology

 New Macbook Air

As a marketer, it is always interesting to see how companies satisfy customer's needs more everytime. A good example of this, is of course, Apple. Its most recent MacBook Air, is a super light weight, high capacity laptop that combines features of the tradictional Mac and the iPad. If you have time, see the link below to read some intersting facts and watch a professional WSJ technology expert talk about the MacBook Air features.

See more at:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304173704575578341059569632.html

Doomsday in 2012?

How do you know if your relationship is in trouble?

If you study Communication, I am sure you are familiar with all the theories about relationships, good listening skills, how to be an effective communicator, blah blah blah blah. However, I have found that if you study Communication, you can learn good techniques on how to be more analitical with your personal relationships. Knowing how to read non-verbal cues can be very useful to maintain friendships, work relations and romances. Yes, romances. As woman, I really believe that any relationship should begin with having a healthy communication. But what about if, you are having good physical contact and social life with your partner when suddenly you start noticing some of the following signals:

1. Less vocal expressivenes
2. Less smiling
3. Interactions don't flow easily
4. Increase physical distance
5. Increase in time interactions
6. Fewer intimate terms
7. Interactions are more impersonal (i.e. How is the weather?)
8. Fewer references to the future
9. Less personal languaje
10. More conflict


Do you think is it easier for women than men to react to these cues? Have you experience a situation in which you gave your best effort in a relationship that, at the end, ended up being just yours?

Reference: Interpesonal Communication. Sixth Edition. Beebe, S., Beebe, J., and Redmond, M. 2008. Pearson. New York

First miner out today!

After 68 days underground, miners are about to be saved tonight. I cannot imagine how anxious they are feeling right now. Feel the sun again, breathe fresh air,and hug their families are the things that they are going to experiment tonight after the first miner is out,thanks to a small capsule designed by some U.S engineers. Definitely, heartbreaking story and an unprecedented rescue strategy.


 What do you think they are feeling right know? Do you think we are taking many things from granted such as walking, hearing the birds sing, etc? Do you think those Chilean miners will need some time to readjust to society?


Please, leave your comments!




http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/12/after-68-days-underground-miners-wait-for-rescue-to-begin/?hpt=T1