Task 23 - Summary

Well, I kind of rushed through the tasks simply because there are several important things happening at the same time at work. I could have postponed this again but thinking there would never be a time when I have the luxurious of just concentrating on this program alone. So I went ahead and did it.

Having said the above, it is no doubt an interesting experience. A few technologies I had never used beforem. By playing with them I could see the potential usage both from personal and work point of view.

Some people are worried that these "social networking" technologies make people less likely "talking" to each other face to face, their communication skills in terms of dealing with people face to face at work as well as outside work may even deteriorate. But I think these technologies are not really replacing face to face social networking, they are like other technologies that they provide people with more choices. These choices make it possible to suit different communication styles from different people. We need to learn these technologies in order to understand and communicate with those customers who use the technologies. In my opinion it is not very professional to turn away our customers simply because we don't know the technologies.

On the topic of self-directed learning, I like doing things this way. I like to be in control and pace my time and pace. I am doing another course in a similar way and I think I enjoy it too.

Forgot to mention that the thing that I think most useful to me was Google Maps. I am really bad working out my route to a new place, now with the help of Google Maps it is really easy.

All in all, this is a good program, it would be good if it offers refresher course sometime down the track or even a short up-date session.