Personal Computer Education Essay - Module 8

Computers are not as much of a luxury anymore, they are a necessity. In a world that is becoming increasingly reliant on technology and instant communication. The online computer is now a necessity in most homes. Computers have already proven themselves to be invaluable to me in my education process. I use computers to complete assignments, to communicate with educators, for tutoring and for research. 

            Gone are the days of notebooks and binders. Today most syllabuses are stored online for students to refer to at their convenience. This saves the time and cost of printing, and the added convenience to students for instant perusal. Often I will receive and complete entire assignments online. I am able to complete research and find information for any topic that I have yet to have studied. I can use my computer as a word processor and find, copy and past quotes and statistics to verify that the sources that I used are properly sited. 

            Students used to have to wait for an appointment to be able to spend time with a teacher discussing a specific paper or a specific topic that may have been discussed in class. Now teachers can make themselves available for discussion online. The internet allows me to be able to communicate with teachers regarding questions and comments on some of my assignments. It also allows me to view my profile as a student and communicate with related offices to my tenure as a student. It’s the perfect place to complete school communications, because that’s where the majority of the modern students spend their time.

            I receive tutoring online. I am able to communicate with a tutor who can view my work and comment, and teach me some of the skills that I need to learn. This type of tutoring is best for me as a student, because the internet allows it to happen at my convenience. I don’t have to fit my life into a schedule, but rather I can fit my schedule around my life. I can post my work for review by a tutor and come back and read their corrections and comments at my convenience. It’s the best of both worlds. They do not have to wait for me. I do not have to wait for them.

            I have never had online classes. I know some students who have and they feel that they get the same education or better out of online classes as they would if they were actually and physically in the classroom. These online classes allow students to take classes at their own convenience. If they are able to have a good paying steady job, they do not have to limit or hinder that job, but can take courses online to bolster their career while not adversely affecting that career at all.

            I finished my first two years of college out of the United States. My major was Computer Networks and Operating Systems. Of course these courses relied heavily on computer interaction and knowledge. They taught me not only how by why it is best to work with computers who are linked to provide the best work skills for a job.

            In a world that is becoming increasingly small and connected or as author Thomas Friedman would say- “flat” it is no longer a matter of “if” or “when” computers will be integrated with education, because they already are, and students and school will need to stay current to be able to best provide their students with the abilities that will best equip them to navigate the new webbed world.

The World is Flat - Module 7

Finally, concepts and terms are able to be introduced that answer the questions that have been politically incorrect to ask up until now. The question and concept that underdeveloped or underachieving countries do not seem able to handle or deal with globalization is an idea that has crossed many minds, but has, up until now, been left unasked.

In economics, comparative advantage is not allowed to consider the implications of culture on a countries ability or desire to achieve at the same level or at a higher level than some other countries.

It is not that a c condescending attitude is being taken toward these countries that do not seem able to excel at the same level as other countries, it is just a fact. Just as any other factors into an equation, the ability of a culture to be able to accept foreign or global ideas and to apply them to their own cultural practices is coined as glocalization. This marriage of terms suggest and embraces the idea that cultures that are best able to apply foreign concepts to their own established concepts will be best equipped to survive and thrive in the new and flat world. This idea that local customs can be melded with global concepts to benefit the country is not new, but can be limiting to cultures who are not prepared to accept outside ideas.

One of the things that has drastically changed the playing field in companies is the fact that contemporary consumers are offered the convenience and luxury of being able to customize their own product in a way that best suits them. In the global economy of the internet, consumers are permitted, even encouraged, to the actual price and service directly to their desires. Companies that have allowed such customization have enjoyed the continued success in an ever-changing economy. I would say that I am probably about one half to two thirds completely a self-directed consumer. Much of my purchases are already made on-line. Seldom do I require special attention in an order, however if the need for a custom order arises, I am often put out if my accommodations cannot be met. Many purchases that I make are not important enough to warrant customization, but some are, an in those cases, I believe that I am a self-directed consumer. 

The topic of globalization and the high profile that America has had in the global economy and culture leads to the question of the relevance in globalization of America. I believe that globalization is the next step leading away from imperialism. Just as European imperialism led into American Imperialism, I believe that American imperialism has definitely led to globalization. This globalization may have been conceived in American board rooms, it may look very similar to its American parents, but it has orphaned itself from many American concepts when it chooses to adopt so many foreign ideas. Globalization is not at all Americanization; it is way too much more than that. It has grown beyond the confines of Americanization and is now looking back to its American heritage and revealing the inadequacies of America to fulfill the global concepts that are entailed in globalization.

We can argue the initiation of global concepts and the nurturing of these concepts and the ability of countries to be able to benefit from their presence, but all of the implications of globalization point to the idea that it is morphing on its own and in directions that cannot be predicted or determined. It is our responsibility as “self-directed consumers” to encourage change when it is good and decent and to discourage changes that will ultimately be the demise of this new era. This responsibility does not seem that daunting until one has full view of the terrain of the present and the direction of the future.

The World Is Flat- Module 6

English economist, David Ricardo, developed the free trade theory in which he stated that if each country did what they do best, and then traded with other countries that did the same, it would be mutually advantageous economically. I most certainly agree that free trade is important and in the best interest in the future of America. Isolationism and excluding ourselves from an already quickly moving and changing economy will only hurt us in the long run. To enable our citizens to be able to continue to compete and even to thrive in the new global economy free trade is crucial and should not be threatened.

As we realize our part in this new economy and to maintain a leadership role as the globe redefines economy and trade we need to be able to perform jobs that will keep us in the game. These new middle jobs are less susceptible to downsizing or outsourcing as previous manufacturing jobs were in the past. New middlers are people who can successfully collaborate, orchestrate, synthesize, leverage and explain. They can adapt, personalize, localize. They are green people who are passionate, and often they are people who love math. They are people who are unique and have unique skills to survive as these affects beyond their control take place.

One thing that cannot be taught, however, but most definitely must be changed and addressed in American workers is their motivation. Friedman addresses one thing that cannot be denied about the modern workers in the new flat world. His mathematical equation clearly states their superiority to typical traditional citizens before the world became so flat.

CQ=PQ>IQ

            We often attempt to measure things, in the case of people’s ability to contribute and think has been measured as intelligence quotient. Intelligence is important, but there have been example after example that proves that it is not brain power that matters as much as passion and drive. Friedman proposes that the worker that has curiosity quotient and passion quotient are far more valuable because they are most likely to thrive and survive.

           

            Friedman has explained that to remain major players in our new globally flat economy, we must be able to do things that others cannot do. We must become valuable in ways that others cannot. We must be strongly motivated to find a niche in this economy and be able to thrive. We cannot rely on intelligence this time; we must cultivate curiosity within ourselves and within our children. We must find passion to ensure that we are not a casualty that is abandoned and discarded in a world that is quickly changing.

The World is Flat - Module 5

As Friedman so fluently explains how the global playing field has been made “flat”, he also so astutely explains coming together of technologies and minds in order to bring even more change. 

In his theory so aptly titled the “Triple Convergence” Friedman explains that step one is the actual merging of players, or technologies, that are all on the same playing field. As he describes a product by Konica Minolta called the “Bizhub” that can scan, fax, e-mail, print and copy, we can visualize the concept. 

            The second step of “Triple Convergence” is the utilization of new technologies to allow us to do regular business in a new way. Just as his airline tickets from Southwest were able to be printed out at home and scanned at the terminal, it is a new way of applying this technology to traditional business.

            The third step, and probably one of the most perplexing for humans is the introduction of new players on this “flat” playing field that develop more concepts and capabilities of doing business. Field says, “I believe [it] is the most important force shaping global economics and politics in the early twenty-first century.”

            And considering the heart of the third step of his “Triple Convergence” theory, are the new members joining our technological playing field. As more Chinese, Indian and Soviet nationals are quickly entering the field and trying to make their own mark in what we would call our world, we must require that we attempt to be conscientious players. We must do our best to ensure our own success while ensuring the fair treatment and proper growth of economics and business in this new period.

            Considering the situation of the government of the state of Indiana and the contract won by the company in India to find a way to more effectively be able to process unemployment compensation to workers, we must ask ourselves to fairly inspect the situation and to determine whether this company in India was exploited in any way. From what can be determined, the Indian company did not feel that they were exploited in any way, in fact they still do business with America. The state of Indiana did not feel that they were exploited by the Indian company as they commented on how nice the company was to do business with.  Could it have been then, a matter of mutual exploitation? This term would seem foreign and unobjective, but isn’t this what most business transactions are based on? I do business with you for what you can offer me and for what I can gain from you. You do business with me from what you can give to me in exchange for what you can get from me. Friedman called it “horizontalization in globalization”. 

            One main commodity that must be guarded and protected, however, is the commodity of intellectual property. Simply, intellectual property should belong to whoever develops it. But lines get blurred in our technological day when the question of ownership must be answered. In a case against Yahoo, the family of Lance Corporal Justin M. Ellsworth attempted to gain intellectual property upon his death. They wished access to his electronic files that Yahoo held. We may want to respond emotionally and side with the family, but consider the precedence it would set for others who might be found incompetent or who forfeit their rights and someone decides that they would like to have access to their knowledge. It’s almost the stuff that comic book villains and hero’s are made up of, but it must be considered, and will soon be part of our normal vocabulary just as other concepts have been introduced out of necessity and are easily accepted today.

IT Job Interview - Module 4

     I walked into a tiny corner office. There were two desks, but only one of them was occupied. There were no extra chairs for me to sit in, so I waited patiently while the young lady on the phone had a moment to greet me.

     While I waited I took in the rest of the scene. This shared office attached to another office more regal and grander by comparison. But it was obvious that this was where the   majority of actual work took place. It was obvious that the other desk typically was the home of a fastidious person who was also quite astute at their job. Post-it notes were on the calendar reminding of appointments and various other important dates. A professional woman of about 25 was on the phone, and talking with her hands at the same time. She motioned for me to sit in the seat that went with this other desk. So I did, and waited for her to close up her conversation.

     When she finally ended her conversation, she turned to me, and greeted me by name. She knew who I was and had been expecting me. Not waiting for me to muddle the air with information that we had already discussed on the phone. She went on to remind me that her schedule was very tight, and that it shouldn’t take long for her to fill me in on the intricacies of her job.

     She explained that basically, her entire job could be summed up in one task, making the boss look good. It was her job to screen calls that would waste his time, and to keep him focused on doing his job. She explained that all of the office computers were networked together on site, and that they were also networked with other offices in Tennessee, Texas, England and Africa. It was obvious that time was very important to her business, as the desk top on her computer had five different clocks, each one denoting the time at one of the other offices.

     She quickly explained the nature of how this network system worked. “It’s like a huge, massive filing cabinet.” She explained. “I can file something in my ‘drawer’ and someone in England can pick it up, and work on it there. And if we need to, I can have real life conferences with those other workers.” She said that this really did help to allay confusion in language and interpretation when working on a project together. The only thing is that you have to be aware of the time.

     “Often, we’ll run out of time, just because a lack of awareness of where the other person is on the clock.” There phones are internet linked, so that these remote offices can have the same local number as her office and so that customers can reach these other offices without really knowing. “This gives us a much longer work day here, without having to pay for it.” She explains with satisfaction. This had been her idea, and was the most recent reason for a bonus that she received.

     Her job among all of the other organizational and communication related tasks really is to keep her boss on task. Her boss learned a long time ago, that he is easily distracted and that he does most of his best work when surrounded by others working also.

     So he set up his office right next to his assistants, and it is her job every morning to come in early and to lay out his day. He is able to make better use of his time, by simply relying on her to schedule his time for him, and to keep focused on one task at a time.

     Before I knew it, I was gathering my things, and saying goodbye. As I glanced at the local time on her desk top, I learned that all of this had been completed in just over five minutes. As I saw myself out the door, I could hear her on the phone already scheduling a meeting and getting all of the other staff members ready for a conference call including her boss.

     This most definitely was a position that required every skill that she had and every piece of equipment and technology that she could apply.

The World is Flat – Module 3

            Offshoring is to Outsourcing what a ship is to a rudder. This analogy is a fine way to help to define the importance of offshoring. As outsourcing has provided and encouraged open communication and trade, it has turned the direction of manufacturing and literally moved it. As companies are looking for a way to continue competing in this new economy, offshoring has become a vital result of outsourcing. “Offshoring… is when a company takes one of its factories that is operating” in one place “and moves the whole factory offshore” or to another country.  Outsourcing is taking a function that your company was doing in-house and having another company perform that task, and then reintegrating that work into back into your normal operations.

            Offshoring is the magnification of outsourcing, but is also a direct result of it as well. As companies learned the value and the resource in utilizing skills from across the globe, their minds were opened to different cultures and different views. As the manufacturing world became more competitive, it was only natural for them to consider other avenues of manufacturing. It seems only logical now for them to consider moving manufacturing plants where “cheaper labor, lower taxes, subsidized energy and lower health-care costs” can be found.

            In between manufacturing and the consumer lies an intricate consideration in the supply chain. Just as the supply chain has had to morph to accommodate offshoring, Wal-Mart has had to morph their actual supply chain in order to remain the competitive marketer that it is. Wal-Mart, already understanding the value of computers at work and the applications of the use of the internet looked to the computer to meet their unique and individual supply chain needs.

            “Wal-Mart’s theory was that the more information everyone had about what customers were pulling off the shelves, the more efficient Wal-Mart’s buying would be, the quicker its suppliers could adapt to changing market demand.” By incorporating point-of-sale terminals and installing an elaborate satellite system suppliers can link into their private extranet system and how products are moving and when or if it might need to increase production.

            And what the supply chain is to Wal-Mart, Google is to all other companies.  “Never before in the history of the planet have so many people…had the ability to find so much information about so many things and about so many other people.” 

            By providing information and translation, Google is continuing to “flatten” the world and bring people closer together and more quickly. It was Google founders Brin and Page who developed a formula that ranked web pages according to how many other web pages were linked to them. Google then was able to better link web pages with content and provide the better answers to searches the consumers were making. 

            The no class, education, linguistic or virtual boundaries exist in Google, and this equal access to information makes it a huge player in our newly flattened world. 

As so eloquently said by Alan Cohen, the then vice president of Airspace, “Google is like God. God is wireless. God is everywhere, and God sees everything. Any questions…ask Google.”