Week 13 Reflection

Well, I guess is the last reflection I have to write for this class.

I like talking about offshore outsourcing. I think it does have some merits. But if U. S. companies continue to offshore outsourcing for IT purpose say for the next 8 to 10 years why would Americans want to go into the IT field if there are no jobs. I think what we have to look at is why are there less qualified people in America. I guess our education systems somehow the root of the problem. We are not engaging our students in math and science at an early enough age for them to choose an IT profession. I am not sure what the answer is.

I have learned a lot this class. Since this was my first course at UMUC, it took me a while to figure out how to pace myself. I found working on the group project challenging. My research paper was another challenge because I will not be able to take the graduate research library course until this summer. The last time I did a research paper was in one of my under graduate course 25 years ago. It took me awhile to figure out what I was doing. I now look forward to taking the graduate research library course.

Week 12 Reflection

Week 12 is my least favorite topic so far. The only time I did programming was when I was in college. When I was first out school, I considered becoming a programmer, but quickly change my mind. I was writing HTML in the late 90's. But when I started using the web authoring program Dreamweaver, I stop writing HTML code. HTML coding is not the same as writing a php program. I guess I never really liked programming. My department has created programs with PHP. Other than that we do not do a lot of programming. Our IT department is where you will find programmers. The IT department supports all our revisions of PeopleSoft.

Week 11 Reflection

I found Fedscope (http://www.fedscope.opm.gov/) hard to navigate. It took me awhile to figure out the different links. It could be I am not use to this type of tool. I did find it very interesting once was able search the data.

One question that I think would like to speculate more about is the Dot-com Failures. I still think the Dotcoms would have a better survival rate now with our more advanced technology. We forget how slow the internet was back in the 90’s.

What I also find amazing is how long it has taken some major companies to be online. Such as Wells Fargo Financial, you can only pay your mortgage. You cannot check your mortgage balance. I know this would detour perspective customer. Online banking is a huge business now. I will not use a bank that does not have an online component

Week 10 Reflection

I am still bothered by use of data mining. I feel that some of my freedom is being taken away. Data mining is important for tracking criminal and terrorist. When you think about how all the reward cards you have from different businesses you are being data mined. The difference is businesses are disguising the data collection with promotions and coupons. Basically must people do not realize that this is purpose of reward cards. I was unaware of what these cards are use for. I think I am going to cancel some of my rewards cards. I wonder if credit card companies use data mining to offer promotions. I guess with information age you loose some of your information privacy.

Week 9 Reflection

I find it very interesting that the topic this week was on a tool that we are using more to communicate outside the school them inside. Just the other day, our computer lab was used to host a webinars for PeopleSoft. The group consisted of several other departments. All I did was set up the equipment. I did not attend the meeting. I have watched vendor demos using this teamwork tool. I have also participating in webinars, such as, a webinars on a course management system call Moodle. Our distance learning instructors are being encouraged to use this teamwork tool in their online course.

What I like most about this course is that what I studying directly or indirectly pertains to what I am doing at work.

Week 8 Reflection

I found the chapter on electronic Business quite interesting. One of my responsibilities is figuring out what type of hardware, software, and instructional tools we need. Once I determine our “wish list”, I have to find the best place to buy the items. Using the web make this process a lot easier and faster. 95% of our purchases are done online. I can save a lot time by using the web for a product search rather trying to look for it in catalog. I think if a business does not have some type of presents on the web they are missing out on a large customer population.

I buy some things the web, but I still like to go into a store for purchases. Before I became an Educational Technologist, I entertained the idea of starting own e-business. Maybe after I finish school I will try to set up an e-business.

I thought this is a great Dear John cartoon.

Week 7 Reflection

On the topic of ERP's, I found myself questioning our school's ERP. I know we need to reevaluate our plan. I think sometimes schools neglect planning in general.

Out group met on Sunday, March 11 we discussed the project timetable. I think we will finish our case study before the due date. I fine one of the most challenging parts of the group case study is coordinating our group chats through 3 time zones. It seems we always want to meet during my dinner time. I finally solved the problem by using my notebook. I can chat cook at the same time. And now with day light savings tim, I can chat and barbeque at the same time.