Since we are supposed to make a video for this entry, I've decided to film some snippets of my post-birthday outing last night. This entry is quite late because I couldn't think of anything to film. Luckily, there were some celebrations going on for my birthday. My Macbook has been with me for over 2 years and this is the first time I am using iMovie. However, I can't say that I haven't had any experience with video production - given that I have tried working on Windows Media Player on my previous laptop.
COM125 from Aimee on Vimeo.
It isn't much but I hope you will enjoy watching this amateur and shaky piece of work :D
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
E-learning
E-learning is starting to emerge on its own right now. I remember I was in Secondary 1 when I had my first contact with e-learning. That happened during the SARS period. Students were all stuck at home and I guess my school decided to go with the e-learning method so we would not miss out on our day-to-day learning. In my own opinion, I felt that the whole e-learning experience was a massive failure simply because this method was something new to both the school and us students. The school did not fully utilize the portal and also, the teachers didn’t really go through the work with us in the end. After that, the portal wasn’t used very often when I last checked.
The second time I met up with e-learning was when I entered poly. My poly was keen on us getting our own laptops as its specialized problem-based learning was partially dependent on the whole idea of e-learning. Various forms of digital tools were being used in our lessons. As a communication student, it was superbly useful in my own learning. I picked up on certain techniques or concepts much faster with the use of e-learning.
With e-learning, there is the question of virtual classroom vs physical classroom:
What exactly is a virtual classroom? Basically a virtual classroom is an online learning environment. The environment can be web-based and accessed through a portal. The teacher and students are logged into the virtual learning environment at the same time. It's pretty similar to a real classroom since both teacher and students have to be present. Students can participate through video streaming and produce their own questions in the forum.
I am generally fine with e-learning. There are definitely advantages on using e-learning and being present in a virtual classroom.
However, I wouldn't prefer being in a virtual classroom over a physical classroom. Being well-aware of my capabilities, I am more suitable to be in a physical classroom. I have this tendency to not understand certain things and it might even be possible that I might get misunderstood if I post questions but frame it in my own way - in which the teacher or other students will interpret it according to their understanding. Thus, I would prefer to be in a real classroom and have a one-on-one interaction with the teacher or classmates.
The second time I met up with e-learning was when I entered poly. My poly was keen on us getting our own laptops as its specialized problem-based learning was partially dependent on the whole idea of e-learning. Various forms of digital tools were being used in our lessons. As a communication student, it was superbly useful in my own learning. I picked up on certain techniques or concepts much faster with the use of e-learning.
With e-learning, there is the question of virtual classroom vs physical classroom:
What exactly is a virtual classroom? Basically a virtual classroom is an online learning environment. The environment can be web-based and accessed through a portal. The teacher and students are logged into the virtual learning environment at the same time. It's pretty similar to a real classroom since both teacher and students have to be present. Students can participate through video streaming and produce their own questions in the forum.
I am generally fine with e-learning. There are definitely advantages on using e-learning and being present in a virtual classroom.
However, I wouldn't prefer being in a virtual classroom over a physical classroom. Being well-aware of my capabilities, I am more suitable to be in a physical classroom. I have this tendency to not understand certain things and it might even be possible that I might get misunderstood if I post questions but frame it in my own way - in which the teacher or other students will interpret it according to their understanding. Thus, I would prefer to be in a real classroom and have a one-on-one interaction with the teacher or classmates.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
E-commerce
Given that technology is constantly advancing, it is no secret that e-business is starting to become very prominent in the market. People, like you and me, are shopping very frequently online, which leads to increasing sales figures over time.
Take for example, Amazon owns about 10% of the e-commerce market and other retailers like Apple and Walmart own another 10% of the pie. The costs associated with virtual retail are comparatively low, so ultimately it becomes easier to turn a profit selling online than offline. Companies such as Everlane are making use of the online platform to sell their products instead of depending on opening physical stores.
Here are 6 simple ways on how to be successful in the e-commerce market:
1. Understand your customer.
The question to ask is why do they go to the competitor's store instead of ours?
2. Sell products consumers want to buy.
Once you understand your customers, be sure to sell products that meet their needs. Watch for upcoming trends. But remember that once a product is a best seller, you’ve probably already missed that trend.
3. Do not play Wally with your customers.
It is important to be found by your customers. One good way is to invest in search engine optimization, advertising, blogging, social media, and other marketing activities to drive qualified traffic to your online store. Always be sure to diversify your traffic sources so you can direct the traffic towards your site.
4. Personalize every customer interaction.
You can start by using first names in every email promotion. Strive to deliver a unique shopping experience within the capabilities of your ecommerce platform. Build a solid community through social media, events, or other online activities. Participate in conversations wherever your target customers are.
5. Fresh content.
Refresh your content, post seasonal messaging and offers, provide timely insights, and provide incentives for return visitors to your stores. Consider seasonal themes around your store to give it a fresh look.
6. Always think mobile.
Shopping online is already a huge thing. The next biggest thing will be mobile websites and apps because these few will be where consumers end up shopping in the future. Go mobile now. Most smartphone owners already use those devices to shop online.
These are a few ways to get some success with e-commerce. Start with one or two and see how things work out!
Take for example, Amazon owns about 10% of the e-commerce market and other retailers like Apple and Walmart own another 10% of the pie. The costs associated with virtual retail are comparatively low, so ultimately it becomes easier to turn a profit selling online than offline. Companies such as Everlane are making use of the online platform to sell their products instead of depending on opening physical stores.
Here are 6 simple ways on how to be successful in the e-commerce market:
1. Understand your customer.
The question to ask is why do they go to the competitor's store instead of ours?
2. Sell products consumers want to buy.
Once you understand your customers, be sure to sell products that meet their needs. Watch for upcoming trends. But remember that once a product is a best seller, you’ve probably already missed that trend.
3. Do not play Wally with your customers.
It is important to be found by your customers. One good way is to invest in search engine optimization, advertising, blogging, social media, and other marketing activities to drive qualified traffic to your online store. Always be sure to diversify your traffic sources so you can direct the traffic towards your site.
4. Personalize every customer interaction.
You can start by using first names in every email promotion. Strive to deliver a unique shopping experience within the capabilities of your ecommerce platform. Build a solid community through social media, events, or other online activities. Participate in conversations wherever your target customers are.
5. Fresh content.
Refresh your content, post seasonal messaging and offers, provide timely insights, and provide incentives for return visitors to your stores. Consider seasonal themes around your store to give it a fresh look.
6. Always think mobile.
Shopping online is already a huge thing. The next biggest thing will be mobile websites and apps because these few will be where consumers end up shopping in the future. Go mobile now. Most smartphone owners already use those devices to shop online.
These are a few ways to get some success with e-commerce. Start with one or two and see how things work out!
Saturday, March 1, 2014
The future of social networking
We are all familiar with social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. I am sure that you, the reader, have a comprehensive knowledge at the back of your hand. As much as we are enjoying the accompaniment of these sites right now, other companies are building new ones because we know these trends will fade away in the near future (like Friendster and myspace).
Let me introduce you to an upcoming social networking site:
My sister recommended Tinder to me because she mentioned that there is a lot of hype among her friends at the moment. Even though Tinder is known to be an online dating application, it can also be used as a platform to get to know new people and make friends. Basically, Tinder gathers users' basic information by using their Facebook profiles and analyzes each user's social graph to match potential candidates that are likely to be compatible based on their geographical location, number of mutual friends and common interests.
Oddly enough, this app allows people to judge each other at face value. Whether someone approaches your profile or not solely depends on looks (as they only see your picture). It is not entirely detailed like how you stalk other people's Facebook profiles and find out things like which schools they attend or what music do they like.
Why is it so appealing? The creators have designed the app to make rating faster and also, in a more subtle way. Instead of tapping on the big red "X" to pass over someone, users can simply flick the photo aside, as if the person has been dismissed by a wave of the hand. Users get to know if people they find "cute" will like them back. You won't have that fear of suffering the agony of rejection. Since Tinder often shows people at random, you could come up with the excuse that a handsome or beautiful stranger has not liked you back because they haven't come across your photo. I guess in a way, you will find out what kind of people you tend to attract.
Let me introduce you to an upcoming social networking site:
My sister recommended Tinder to me because she mentioned that there is a lot of hype among her friends at the moment. Even though Tinder is known to be an online dating application, it can also be used as a platform to get to know new people and make friends. Basically, Tinder gathers users' basic information by using their Facebook profiles and analyzes each user's social graph to match potential candidates that are likely to be compatible based on their geographical location, number of mutual friends and common interests.
Oddly enough, this app allows people to judge each other at face value. Whether someone approaches your profile or not solely depends on looks (as they only see your picture). It is not entirely detailed like how you stalk other people's Facebook profiles and find out things like which schools they attend or what music do they like.
Why is it so appealing? The creators have designed the app to make rating faster and also, in a more subtle way. Instead of tapping on the big red "X" to pass over someone, users can simply flick the photo aside, as if the person has been dismissed by a wave of the hand. Users get to know if people they find "cute" will like them back. You won't have that fear of suffering the agony of rejection. Since Tinder often shows people at random, you could come up with the excuse that a handsome or beautiful stranger has not liked you back because they haven't come across your photo. I guess in a way, you will find out what kind of people you tend to attract.
It is a refreshing idea for the social networking scene. You could say that Tinder is like a guilty pleasure app. Aside from the fun you may get from using this app, please be wary of who you make friends with through this application. Some people might not appear who they are in the pictures.
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