Week 4: Clear, Web-Based Training

Web-based training (WBT)is a topic that should be very clear to everyone involved in this course. As a computer-based training program, it is composed of different application software on the Web and Internet technology. It is used in business and in schools for teaching in a way that allows for active involvement. A part of this is called distance learning where the material is taught at one place, but is received in another. E-learning is the delivery of education through some type of electronic method that includes blogs, e-mails, chat rooms and discussion boards. Electronic learning makes distance learning easier for instructors to provide all materials and information needed. A major advantage of WBT is that it can save money by eliminating traveling and staying cost, it helps with time conflicts and doesn't constrict you to one location.
Web-based training is important in the business environment because as I earlier mentioned, it can be used in businesses and industries. Employees can get instructions for a project or be taught new skills at their own pace. With travel being a need in some jobs, this would help a lot because the employee would be able to stay on task and not fall behind by not being in the office.HERE is a web site that list some advantages and disadvantages of using WBT.

Week 3: Clear, Communicating through the Internet

The Internet has become a very important part of my life. Not only do I use it for entertainment reasons or for school, it is one of the main ways I communicate with other people. This week e-mail and instant messaging was very clear to me because I constantly use them both. E-mail or electronic mail is the transmission of messages and files through a computer network. They can be comprised of text or include any attachments like images, videos, documents and audio. On the other hand, instant messaging is an Internet communication service where you are capable of talking with one or more people through an exchange of messages while you are all online at the same time. Some IM services like Skype give people the ability to have video conversations if they have web cams.
E-mail and instant messaging is very important in the business environment because it allows a better way of communication. There are some cases where individuals want things to be strictly business, so they only converse through e-mail or IM. The live chat part of IM is also helpful when business meetings can not take place and this can replace an actual office meeting. SKYPE is very popular and continuing to grow because it not only lets you chat live, but you can also text or call someone’s phone for a fee. The link shows a short video on how to use and navigate Skype when making a video call.

Week 2: Clear

Computer usage is a topic that I understood clearly this week. There are a number of ways that people use computers everyday. The five discussed in the text were home users, small office/home office users, mobile users, power users and enterprise users. Home and mobile users is a category that I know best because I feel that I fit into both. Home users have various activities to conduct on computers that include entertainment, communications, education, and financial management. As a home user I talk to friends and family online, complete course work and research, watch movies, download music and pay bills. In the same way, mobile users use computers for most of the same reasons. The difference is that mobile users are away from their office, home or school. The notebook computer and smart phone are the two main devices I use as a mobile user.
Home and mobile users are important in the business environment because technology is continuing to change and expand. There may be very few business jobs, if any, that don’t require you to be up-to-date with technology and computer usage. Also, it may be necessary to work outside of the office and conduct work on your smart phone or laptop computer. HERE is a link to a press release by Meta Facts on how mobile users are continuing to grow in numbers. There were surveys conducted to see thing like who the users were and what type of activities they conducted.

Week 1: Clear

This week copyright is a concept that is clear to me. Copyright is a law where only the owner can use their own work. Pictures, books, plays, movies, music, text, and videos are some of the many things that can have a copyright placed on them. In order to use any copyrighted material, permission must be granted by the owner, and most of the time that involves money. One of the most important things to know about using copyrighted work is that you can only copyright the form of an idea takes, not the actual idea. Duration on copyright has expanded to a lifetime plus 70 year and for companies 100 years. The only leeway in this law is for fair use. In this instance, a small amount of the work may be used to teach, for news reporting, parody or critical comment.

These laws placed on work are very critical to the business environment. Copyright is being taken more serious and as a law, it can cause companies major problems if not followed correctly. Especially for businesses, it would be best to pay someone for permission than to use it without their consent and end up without a business at all. HERE is a link to an actual court case between Warner Brothers Entertainment and RDR Books. RDR had a suit filed against them because they published a book very similar to one of the Harry Potter series books. The case summary gives you enough details to see how big businesses can be affected by copyright.