U-Blog 6

I recently read an article from computerworld.com. This article was pertaining to the Microsoft company. And of course the problems everyone is experiencing, including Microsoft, due to the recession. It is said that the profits of Microsofts operating system has fell for the third quarter in a row. There are also other areas in the Microsoft company that experience a downfall such as the Office productivity suite. And with all of this happening they don't see it getting better until around the end of the year.

The operating income for the Windows Client division was 2.5 billion. It may seem like a lot but this is 19% DOWN from where it was last year. An 8% fall in Office has also been reported. Through all of this there has to be a reason for it. As we know the economy is really messed up, which has caused many businesses to close. As a result Microsoft blames that earnings are low because of the decreased sales of PCs to businesses.

As we see even some of the biggest businesses are suffering from the suffering economy. As a result of the smaller companies falling out or closing, some of the bigger companies suffer because some of there business may actually depend on them.

U-Blog 5

Recently I was reading an article from IT World. This article was focusing on the company, Cisco. Cisco designs and sells networking and communications technology and services. As we know our economy is currently experiencing troubled times. And as a result many companies are having to down size.

In this article, it is said that Cisco is could possibly exhibit a 10% reduction in employees. This 10% is equal to about 6,600 employees out of there 66,000 employees. Which is a great deal of people. Cisco hasn't committed to this cut, this is just a possiblity. If this was to take place, Cisco could save about $900 million yearly. All of this came about because of two Cisco competitors, which are Juniper Networks and F5 Networks. These two competitors are said to have lowered there sales projections and recorded a drop in networking purchases by their customers.

The troubled economy is messing with all types of jobs in some way. So, I hope that the economy is corrected by the time I graduate. It may improve or increase the job field.

U-Blog 4

This class is proving to be a very different learning experience. Being that the majority, if not all, of my classes were face to face, its different with e-learning. Especially when it comes to group projects. With group projects in a e-learning class you have to be more strict. Everyone has to take the initiative. Everyone is waiting on someone else in the group to contact you. Then this results in time dwindling down. So these past few weeks have been somewhat beneficial in that aspect.

U-Blog 3

I read the article on Informal Learning. This article was somewhat interesting. This article explained the difference between informal and formal learning. Both of them are somewhat the same. Though formal learning is more intended for newer employees or members. The informal learning is better for those "seasoned" employees or employees who have been there for a great period of time. Informal learning is better for them because it allows them to learn only what they need at that time. Informal learning for them is somewhat like an upgrade. They are just updating themselves to the newest trends or knowledge.

U-Blog 2

I read an article on company or corporate training. In this article its says that companies tend determine there training goals on a midterm basis. They say that large companies tend to just hire new employees instead of training there current employees on newer concepts. I think this may be effective in some companies but not all. In some instances for it may be better to just train the current employees and maybe just changing there position, if need be.

U-Blog 1

This class has been very interesting. I have always seen online courses or e-learning courses and others taking them but I have never taken one myself until now. This course is very different from others but I like it. I'm a person that tends to kind of teach myself and be more hands on. So with having to use the computer to get the course information and complete assignments, this course is great for me. I can somewhat teach myself or learn in a way that's easier for me.

Workplace Learning

After reading various articles about trends in workplace learning and the need to train America's workplace to stay competitive I see that this is very common. Jobs have to continue to train and learn new strategies and practices to remain competitive. An example is technology. Technology is constantly changing and getting better and better. So in order for a business that uses a great deal of technology to continue competing with others, its employees have to be properly trained on the newest practices. So workplace training is very much a neccessity if a business wants to survive.