Here is a list of pointers that I recommend you take into consideration when taking English 304 - Second Life Edition:
1. Make sure you have good equipment to run the SL program - if you are like me and have a terrible, 3 year old computer, I recommend checking out a laptop from the Cooper Library for free.
2. Write down the 'To-Do Lists' that are provided each week. If you write this down on paper and look at it daily, you will always know what's due. It's tough to remember if you don't write it down.
3. Don't talk to anyone on Second Life that you don't know....... there are a lot of sketchy people out there.
4. Make friends with people in your class. It makes it easier to get work done, keep up with work, and to succeed.
5. KEEP UP WITH YOUR WORK. This is one piece of advice I wished I had kept in mind. Once you get behind it is very hard to catch up especially if you are already juggling a full load of classes. If you do get behind, don't panic but do continue to try to catch back up.
6. Don't be discouraged. Second Life is not easy - learning in a chat room is not easy, but if you stay focused and don't try to multi task, I feel you will be able to understand and keep up.
7. Do your best. No matter what, always strive to do you best work. Always participate and try to learn. This class covers a lot of information that is pertinent to your success in the real world.
I hope that you enjoy the class and have fun!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Darfur, Sudan
You may have heard of Darfur, Sudan - you might be able to pick it out on a map, but if you're like me - you may not have done a lot of research or dedicated a great deal of time learning about Darfur and the situation there. The information I found was frankly astonishing. The genocide, the destruction, and blatant disregard for the well being of human beings simply blew my mind. There is so much going on there that my mind could not even fathom could take place.
I now have a greater understanding of the situation in Darfur and I recommend you take a deeper look into whats going on.
Here is a link to a PBS documentary on Darfur - I encourage you to take some time and watch it.
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/sudan/vid22001.html
I now have a greater understanding of the situation in Darfur and I recommend you take a deeper look into whats going on.
Here is a link to a PBS documentary on Darfur - I encourage you to take some time and watch it.
http://www.pbs.org/frontlinewor
Sunday, April 13, 2008
corporate ethics
A person's ethics are directly derived from their character. Of course not everyone in a company can have excellent character, nor can everyone in a company have impeccable ethical judgment at all times. Ethical lapses happen, its a part of business. It was very interesting to read about how these lapse cause friction and distractions that negatively impact the company. This is definitely not good for business, but it is a very valuable piece of information to know, especially as we young professionals begin to venture into the business world.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Writing: Paper or No Paper?
As our culture continues to evolve with the advancements of technology and communication, we are discovering a change in the way writing is done. Now of course there will always be newspapers, there will always be magazines, and there will always be books; however, in recent years, the production of all these in-print writings have declined. Is this due to the ever developing 'I want it NOW' mentality of our society? Are these in-print media sources being made available online? Will there be a need for printed writing in the future? These are all very important questions that don't necessarily have a clear answer, but they all address a critical idea - Which a better way of writing: Paper or No Paper?
Writing done on paper is concrete. It takes time. It cannot simply be edited, erased, or deleted; however, it cannot be simply distributed to the masses either. Writing done on paper is the staple for history - it has been used to document, enlighten, educate, enforce, and communicate. All these things can also be accomplished by writing not done on paper, but there is something about reading from paper and not a screen that comforts, that lets you know it won't change or go anywhere.
Writing not done on paper is flexible. It takes little time. It can be simply edited, erased, and distributed. Although writing not done on paper is a relatively new concept, it can adjust and accomplish the same objectives writing done on paper has accomplished. More and more, writing done on paper is being transferred to non-paper sources. This is a very exciting process; however, if not done correctly much of the meaning of the writing could be lost. It is important to duplicate every aspect of the writing minus the paper. If this can be successfully done, the opportunities and benefits of non-paper writing are immeasurable.
Writing done on paper is concrete. It takes time. It cannot simply be edited, erased, or deleted; however, it cannot be simply distributed to the masses either. Writing done on paper is the staple for history - it has been used to document, enlighten, educate, enforce, and communicate. All these things can also be accomplished by writing not done on paper, but there is something about reading from paper and not a screen that comforts, that lets you know it won't change or go anywhere.
Writing not done on paper is flexible. It takes little time. It can be simply edited, erased, and distributed. Although writing not done on paper is a relatively new concept, it can adjust and accomplish the same objectives writing done on paper has accomplished. More and more, writing done on paper is being transferred to non-paper sources. This is a very exciting process; however, if not done correctly much of the meaning of the writing could be lost. It is important to duplicate every aspect of the writing minus the paper. If this can be successfully done, the opportunities and benefits of non-paper writing are immeasurable.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Augusta
In under two weeks, arguably the most important golf tournament in the world will be held in Augusta, GA. This tournament is known round the world as The Master's Tournament. As the first major golf tournament of the year, all the tour's best players are practicing and preparing for this important week. However, the players aren't the only ones 'preparing' for the tournament.
Golf patrons from all over the world come to visit the Augusta National this week in April. Due to the prestige and high regard of the tournament, tickets are scarce and patrons will do almost anything to acquire a badge.
Thankfully, my dad gets week-long badges each year. I have had the privilege to experience this tournament for several years now, and I have developed a deep love and passion for this place and tournament. The times spent here have allowed my father, my brother, and me to further deepen and develop our friendships and relationships. We all have very fond memories of the Augusta National and the Master's Tournament.
Golf patrons from all over the world come to visit the Augusta National this week in April. Due to the prestige and high regard of the tournament, tickets are scarce and patrons will do almost anything to acquire a badge.
Thankfully, my dad gets week-long badges each year. I have had the privilege to experience this tournament for several years now, and I have developed a deep love and passion for this place and tournament. The times spent here have allowed my father, my brother, and me to further deepen and develop our friendships and relationships. We all have very fond memories of the Augusta National and the Master's Tournament.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Lying on Resume = Not Cool/Not Awesome
The main part of this article that 'popped' out at me was the statistics from Steven D. Levitt's study that posed that 50% of people lie on their resumes. This stat simply blew my mind. Integrity is a very valuable possession in all aspects of life. Especially in the business world as transactions, relationships, and pretty much all business is dependent on a person's integrity. If someone can't even be honest on their resume, what makes you think they could be honest about anything else.
That being said, I feel a resume is a shiny 'nugget' of ones abilities and accomplishments. Employers know you have worked very hard to succeed and make it to the point of applying for a job. There is absolutely no need to lie on a resume. If you are qualified for the job and the company is ready, you will get the job. The pros greatly out way the cons when it comes to lying on a resume. Just don't do it!
That being said, I feel a resume is a shiny 'nugget' of ones abilities and accomplishments. Employers know you have worked very hard to succeed and make it to the point of applying for a job. There is absolutely no need to lie on a resume. If you are qualified for the job and the company is ready, you will get the job. The pros greatly out way the cons when it comes to lying on a resume. Just don't do it!
SL Business
Our Business Goal = Create Money (linden) Making Machine
------------FALSE------------
The goal of our business is not to make money; rather, our goal is to provide a service that facilitates happiness and enjoyment. Of course monetary support is a necessity of every business, in this life or SL, but it is not the focus or driving force of this organization. The service we will provide is simple - organizing events on SL. These events will include anything from golf tournaments to mountain bike races to skate park competitions - basically any sort of recreational activity. To house these events, we will of course need locations. Cooperation and negotiation will be needed to be done with owners of the golf courses, mountain bike courses, skate parks, and alike. The owners will surely be willing to cooperate as the events will bring in Second Lifer after Second Lifer, which leads to Linden after Linden in revenue. Our revenue will mainly come from Sponsors who, well, sponsor the events. This is a great source of advertising and good publicity. The participants will also be charged a small entry fee to compete in the event.
Please note that these ideas, goals, and plans are just in the beginning stages. We hope to have bigger and better aspirations in the future. This is also copywritten, please don't steal.
------------FALSE------------
The goal of our business is not to make money; rather, our goal is to provide a service that facilitates happiness and enjoyment. Of course monetary support is a necessity of every business, in this life or SL, but it is not the focus or driving force of this organization. The service we will provide is simple - organizing events on SL. These events will include anything from golf tournaments to mountain bike races to skate park competitions - basically any sort of recreational activity. To house these events, we will of course need locations. Cooperation and negotiation will be needed to be done with owners of the golf courses, mountain bike courses, skate parks, and alike. The owners will surely be willing to cooperate as the events will bring in Second Lifer after Second Lifer, which leads to Linden after Linden in revenue. Our revenue will mainly come from Sponsors who, well, sponsor the events. This is a great source of advertising and good publicity. The participants will also be charged a small entry fee to compete in the event.
Please note that these ideas, goals, and plans are just in the beginning stages. We hope to have bigger and better aspirations in the future. This is also copywritten, please don't steal.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Mock Interview Reflection
To be honest, I was a little bit nervous going into the Second Life mock interview. I really didn't know what to expect, I didn't know what I was going to say, I didn't even know what I was supposed to wear! However, once I sat down and actually began the interview, I was comfortable. I expected to continue to feel nervous and even uncomfortable, but I found that I wasn't nervous at all, I was actually quite comfortable. I feel the 'jitters' left me simply because I was in a comfortable place - I wasn't dressed up - I wasn't in front of a interviewer...... I was simply alone, in a computer lab in front of a computer screen. Granted, it was a 'mock' interview, but it was the most stress free interview I have ever experienced.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Spring
My favorite part of the year is upon us, Spring time. Trees start coming back to life, the sun starts 'hanging around' longer, bears come out from hibernating, and I get the most ridiculous itch to play some golf.
Golf is one of my passions. I love every aspect of the sport: the skill, the focus, the quietness, the challenge, the competition, the excitement, the disappointment. I have learned a lot about life and myself while playing this game. I have found that I am very determined - I strive very hard for perfection at things I love. I have also found that, when applied, my imagination is very powerful and creative.
My favorite part of the game is the singularity of the sport. There is only one person on the team, there is only one person that can be credited for an achievement, and there is only one person who can be blamed for a mistake. I can't blame anyone or anything else for an error but myself. This is huge motivation factor to improve and limit these errors.
This passion is sometimes not such a great thing. As the weather becomes more ideal for play, so does the idea for 'skipping' class to go play. It is very hard for me to pass up a beautiful spring afternoon playing golf for an indoor, boring lecture class. Luckily, my dad shares my passion for golf so he is very lenient when I can resist the temptation.
I apologize for the breifness of this post, but I have a tee time to make. Toddles.
Golf is one of my passions. I love every aspect of the sport: the skill, the focus, the quietness, the challenge, the competition, the excitement, the disappointment. I have learned a lot about life and myself while playing this game. I have found that I am very determined - I strive very hard for perfection at things I love. I have also found that, when applied, my imagination is very powerful and creative.
My favorite part of the game is the singularity of the sport. There is only one person on the team, there is only one person that can be credited for an achievement, and there is only one person who can be blamed for a mistake. I can't blame anyone or anything else for an error but myself. This is huge motivation factor to improve and limit these errors.
This passion is sometimes not such a great thing. As the weather becomes more ideal for play, so does the idea for 'skipping' class to go play. It is very hard for me to pass up a beautiful spring afternoon playing golf for an indoor, boring lecture class. Luckily, my dad shares my passion for golf so he is very lenient when I can resist the temptation.
I apologize for the breifness of this post, but I have a tee time to make. Toddles.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Cover Letters
The link provided a great deal of valuable information pertaining to cover letters. The different tutorials were packed with the “do’s and don’ts” of cover letters, but surprisingly they had more to offer than I had first thought.
I agreed with the tutorial that suggested that a cover letter should be used only as part of a limited, targeted campaign to reach employees. It suggested that one should invest time into research and understanding of a company before committing in paper or email to a prospective employer.
I also agreed with the tutorial that the cover letter should not be about you, rather it should be about the individual company you are targeting. I agree that you should define what your product (you and your skills) can do for the customer (the company) and what your customer will need to by your product. A successful cover letter is a marketing tool used to move your customer one step closer to buying your product. I agree that you need to fully understand and be able to articulate your personal value proposition. This type of cover letter will pay back far greater returns than the simple “introduction to me” letter that most people use. The investment of time, energy, and resources when studying a company is valued by prospective employers.
I did not agree with the tutorial dealing with Post Scripts. This “extra splash” is not needed in your cover letter; remember, its not about you, its about the company. All your achievements, skills, and attributes are covered in your resume.
The most useful section of this article was the Cover Letter Checklist. This is the most practical and helpful area for me. It sets up and outlines the entire neccessities of a cover letter. it is a very valuable resource to have.
I agreed with the tutorial that suggested that a cover letter should be used only as part of a limited, targeted campaign to reach employees. It suggested that one should invest time into research and understanding of a company before committing in paper or email to a prospective employer.
I also agreed with the tutorial that the cover letter should not be about you, rather it should be about the individual company you are targeting. I agree that you should define what your product (you and your skills) can do for the customer (the company) and what your customer will need to by your product. A successful cover letter is a marketing tool used to move your customer one step closer to buying your product. I agree that you need to fully understand and be able to articulate your personal value proposition. This type of cover letter will pay back far greater returns than the simple “introduction to me” letter that most people use. The investment of time, energy, and resources when studying a company is valued by prospective employers.
I did not agree with the tutorial dealing with Post Scripts. This “extra splash” is not needed in your cover letter; remember, its not about you, its about the company. All your achievements, skills, and attributes are covered in your resume.
The most useful section of this article was the Cover Letter Checklist. This is the most practical and helpful area for me. It sets up and outlines the entire neccessities of a cover letter. it is a very valuable resource to have.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Avatar Interview Advantage?
Job interviews help to guide the employer in their decision making during the hiring process. It is a time where interviewer and interviewee can communicate, interact, and gain a better understanding of each others skills and personality. Typically, the 'job interview' takes place that is most convenient/comfortable to both parties; however, the location is also very dependent on the job itself.
The article found at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1385 is very interesting. This article talks about a new location for the typical job interview, cyberspace. Second Life is a very powerful communication and networking system where people, in the form of their avatars, interact with one another. There was a job fair on SL where employers from different companies read resumes and interviewed many people through their avatars for real life jobs. This raises a very important question, is there an Avatar Interview Advantage?
We must first break the 'job interview' down into its main criteria and the main difference between a cyber interview and a personal interview. The main and most important difference is the communication. In normal conversation, 7% of the message is communicated by words, 38% is communicated by tone of voice, and 55% is communicated by body language. In the sense of a typical job interview, the interviewer bases 93% of his interpretation on the interviewees nonverbal communications. A job interview on SL simply cannot emulate nonverbal communication. Because this is such an important aspect of an interview, it cannot be left out and summed up in only text communication.
Having job interviews in a virtual world is a very innovated and potentially powerful hiring tool. However, it cannot be substituted for a real-life personal interview - there are simply too many unknown factors about both the interviewer and the interviewee. But, as technology and SL continue to progress, there may be sometime in the near future where cyper interviews and personal interviews will become interchangeable with one another.
The article found at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1385 is very interesting. This article talks about a new location for the typical job interview, cyberspace. Second Life is a very powerful communication and networking system where people, in the form of their avatars, interact with one another. There was a job fair on SL where employers from different companies read resumes and interviewed many people through their avatars for real life jobs. This raises a very important question, is there an Avatar Interview Advantage?
We must first break the 'job interview' down into its main criteria and the main difference between a cyber interview and a personal interview. The main and most important difference is the communication. In normal conversation, 7% of the message is communicated by words, 38% is communicated by tone of voice, and 55% is communicated by body language. In the sense of a typical job interview, the interviewer bases 93% of his interpretation on the interviewees nonverbal communications. A job interview on SL simply cannot emulate nonverbal communication. Because this is such an important aspect of an interview, it cannot be left out and summed up in only text communication.
Having job interviews in a virtual world is a very innovated and potentially powerful hiring tool. However, it cannot be substituted for a real-life personal interview - there are simply too many unknown factors about both the interviewer and the interviewee. But, as technology and SL continue to progress, there may be sometime in the near future where cyper interviews and personal interviews will become interchangeable with one another.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Letter From Birmingham Jail
Comparing Dr. King's letter from Birmingham Jail to anything else is a very difficult task. His writing was passionate, intelligent, political, religious, and powerful. However, I have selected a piece of writing that I feel can be compared to Dr. King's work, if only in the smallest degree.
An article written by Peter Singer in which Singer analyzes the voter turnout and loyalty in Australia. Although this article lacks the political and cultural magnitude of Dr. King's letter, both employ similar persuasive techniques. Singer presents his audience with facts, raw facts just as King. After establishing facts, both authors analyze the current situation of the public and line out different options that reader (their audience) has to consider. However, Dr. King directly involves his audience by asking questions, getting them to think and give more thought to the idea he wishes to convey. The biggest difference in the two items is the length and detail. The letter from Birmingham Jail was much longer and very detailed. Singer's article was detailed and focused but not to the degree as King's.
I found this exercise to be more difficult than I had expected. Dr. King's letter is just such a powerful and influential piece of work and history that it is very hard to find any other sort of persuasive document that falls in a such a unique category. The letter not only provoked emotion and response from the intended audience, but also from our nation. With such a powerful and lasting impact as this letter and all of Dr. King's other works, it is 'difficult' to compare it to anything much less an article relating to my major. However, I did enjoy reading the letter and broadening my knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement, a truly powerful and important part of our country's history.
An article written by Peter Singer in which Singer analyzes the voter turnout and loyalty in Australia. Although this article lacks the political and cultural magnitude of Dr. King's letter, both employ similar persuasive techniques. Singer presents his audience with facts, raw facts just as King. After establishing facts, both authors analyze the current situation of the public and line out different options that reader (their audience) has to consider. However, Dr. King directly involves his audience by asking questions, getting them to think and give more thought to the idea he wishes to convey. The biggest difference in the two items is the length and detail. The letter from Birmingham Jail was much longer and very detailed. Singer's article was detailed and focused but not to the degree as King's.
I found this exercise to be more difficult than I had expected. Dr. King's letter is just such a powerful and influential piece of work and history that it is very hard to find any other sort of persuasive document that falls in a such a unique category. The letter not only provoked emotion and response from the intended audience, but also from our nation. With such a powerful and lasting impact as this letter and all of Dr. King's other works, it is 'difficult' to compare it to anything much less an article relating to my major. However, I did enjoy reading the letter and broadening my knowledge of the Civil Rights Movement, a truly powerful and important part of our country's history.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
What would I like my life to look like in ten years?
I would like to be alive in ten years – living, breathing, and with all my hair. Honestly though, given the bare necessities, in ten years I plan to be successful in the career path I choose (I say ‘career path’ mainly because I have yet to figure out the age old question of ‘what I want to be when I grow up). I hope to enjoy my job – that is very important to me. I hope to look forward to going to work and to be excited and committed to doing my very best. I would also love to have enough free time to play golf frequently and hopefully to fulfill a childhood dream to play the top ten courses in the world.
In regards to my personal life, I hope to be happily married to the woman that always makes me smile, that loves me for who I am, the woman who makes me a better man. I hope to have children, but if not, a wiemerriemer pup will do. I hope to live with my family somewhere in the Piedmont area.
I hope to have traveled the globe in ten years time, having visited
Although this is an abbreviated idea of what I would like my life to be like, I believe it is relatively accurate and on par as to the direction things are currently headed. If I don’t accomplish everything I have listed above in ten years, I won’t be disappointed as long as I have tried my very best.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Web 2.0
The Web 2.o video was very interesting, and I felt like it brought up a lot of good points in regards to the way our culture has, and is continuing to develop with cyberspace. They title of the video, Web 2.o, gives me the impression of one of those old informational videos we used to watch in high school biology classes, "Bio 2.o"; however, this video proved to be much more interesting and a lot more thought provoking.
The video definitely brought up several good points that can be related to someone preparing for the workforce. It brought up the point that everything you put up on the internet can be seen by someone - this is a little bit frightening but a reality. People already in the workforce can relate to Web 2.o as well. As more and more of the business world becomes paperless, the workforce must adapt and continue to educate themselves to further in the digital sense.
As far as one the video's boldest statements, "We will have to rethink everything", I feel the author is fairly accurate. Our culture has to adjust its legislature, business, education, lives, and world to continue to be able to keep up with the ever changing Web 2.o.
-db
The video definitely brought up several good points that can be related to someone preparing for the workforce. It brought up the point that everything you put up on the internet can be seen by someone - this is a little bit frightening but a reality. People already in the workforce can relate to Web 2.o as well. As more and more of the business world becomes paperless, the workforce must adapt and continue to educate themselves to further in the digital sense.
As far as one the video's boldest statements, "We will have to rethink everything", I feel the author is fairly accurate. Our culture has to adjust its legislature, business, education, lives, and world to continue to be able to keep up with the ever changing Web 2.o.
-db
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
a bit about myself....
Hi, my name is David Bleckley. I am a junior majoring in Marketing.
I am from Spartanburg, well north-Spartanburg in the town of Boiling Springs. Growing up I played a bunch of sports and I have continued to play here in intramural. Although I am not outstanding by any means, I enjoy the competition, camaraderie, and friendships involved in sports. My favorite sport is golf.
I'm glad you now know a little about me and I hope to learn more about you as we begin this course together.
-db
I am from Spartanburg, well north-Spartanburg in the town of Boiling Springs. Growing up I played a bunch of sports and I have continued to play here in intramural. Although I am not outstanding by any means, I enjoy the competition, camaraderie, and friendships involved in sports. My favorite sport is golf.
I'm glad you now know a little about me and I hope to learn more about you as we begin this course together.
-db
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)