Web 2.0

The use of the Internet as a tool for communication and learning continues to move forward as more advances are made on the technological front. A term has emerged known as "Web 2.0", which describes the Internet as a place where users can share information. Web users are able to communicate interactively, through new sites like Facebook, MySpace, Wikipedia, and YouTube. I recently read an article discussing this idea of Web 2.0 in reference to today's business schools, and their uses of it as a tool to further and facilitate learning.
Recently, INSEAD opened a virtual campus in the three dimensional computer world of SecondLife (http://www.secondlife.com/). They claim that this virtual campus allows more ready access to students around the globe, and makes communication much simpler. A student in Texas needs only to log into the campus to meet with a professor who lives in Spain, or India. Through this medium, more people have access to this type of education than before.
I think it's really interesting how far along technology has moved to allow us to interact and communicate with others. The possible benefits of having an online campus are enormous. From a logistical view, now people can meet and discuss more issues without dealing with travel or distance problems. Also, programs like SecondLife help make this online communication as real as possible. I know I'd enjoy an interview better if I was looking at a person instead of chatting with text online. However, call me old fashion, but I still think there's value in meeting and discussing issues face to face. It allows for more direct interaction, than through a computer screen. But who knows, maybe in ten years, technology will have moved so far forward to make what you see on your computer look just like the "real world".
Whitney Stanat
References: "What to Know about Web 2.0." BizEd 6.4 (2007): 64-5.

Word Processing

I have a fairly good grasp of the uses of the Word Processing program in Microsoft Office; however, I'm still learning where the commands are in the new Vista setting. Until now, I have only been familiar with Microsoft XP. I understand the different applications of setting up and editing a word document, like checking for spelling errors, using the grammar applications, and inserting different commands (ie. footnotes, page numbers, etc.). I could use some review of the commands in Page Layout, manipulating margins and changing the spacing of text in the document. I'm also unfamiliar with converting a Word document into HTML format for a web page. Hopefully, I'll soon have an understanding of all these things.
Whitney Stanat