Virginia "Energy Sense" and The Future

The Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has awarded the Energy Sense Contract. "It is vitally important for Virginia Energy Sense to deliver information that strengthens awareness of energy efficiency and conservation, and motivates consumers to take action to reduce electricity consumption," the Virginia SCC website. ttp://www.scc.virginia.gov/procure/index.aspx

Global Link applauds Governor Kaine and the Virginia SCC. For America to use energy more wisely, consumers need to understand their options and have tools to monitor their consumption. The Energy Sense Program will give consumers important new information and help Virginia reach its stated goals.

At the national and global level, consumer education on the value of conservation needs to grow. The surge of investment in green technologies is good news. We need to continue with hybrid cars, energy efficiency, recycling, smartmeters, and other new technologies. As the decade comes to an end, please think about your energy sense and how you can help. Happy New Year!

California to Scrap School Textbooks in Favour of eBooks!

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently said, "It's nonsensical and expensive to look to traditional hard-bound books when information today is so readily available in electronic form." The Governor is looking to cut school text book costs and balance the state budget. He is also leveraging the internet and new ebook technology from Kindle, Sony, and Apple.

The challenge is for teachers and administrators to select new electronic information and blend it into the school curriculum. Many teachers have been running classes for years without text books. Education professionals need to create innovation eCurriculum based on existing electronic materials, secure new materials, and agree national/state programs that can be distributed to teachers electronicially.

Kids who lug 25 pounds of text books back and forth to school every day will be happy. If we do eCurriculum properly, everyone will win.

Mandatory "Worthless" Training

"I'm in training for the next 2 days, but call me anytime. They don't teach us anything, so I can step out and talk to you." Sound familiar?

More and more, traditional training is outdated. Students do not want to travel to a classroom where they are lectured on materials they already know. Many professions (technology, financial, government, and education) require X hours per year and simply schedule training to fulfill the requirements. Management's response is, "sorry, just show up and catch up on paperwork."

With online training, students learn when and where they want to learn. They quickly pick up best practices and return to work more productive. It's a Revolution in Learning. Visit http://www.glsinc.com/ for more information.

SmartPhones Prime for Mobile Learning

Dad was puzzled. "Jessica, tell me why you need a SmartPhone!?!?"

"Dad, with 3G speeds, hi-res screens, and smart mobile devices, I can use a SmartPhone to view lectures and take quizzes. It's easy. And Dad, if you don't get it, you are a dinosaur!"

SmartPhones are changing education. Training & certification is poised to move to SmartPhones. Institutions with tight budgets are looking to improve training with SmartPhones and mobile learning platforms. Apple iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Palm Pre, and Windows Mobile support hi-definition media. Users are able to view rich media training, access knowledge bases, and take tests.

"Dad, it's time to wake up. SmartPhones, 3G, and education rock!"

Your Grandkids May Not Go To College

Your grandkids may not be going to college. At least not moving into a dorm and having weekends at school with college friends. According to a new article, "Undergraduate education is on the verge of a radical reordering. Colleges, like newspapers, will be torn apart by new ways of sharing information enabled by the Internet. The business model that sustained private U.S. colleges cannot survive."

Online learning is changing the college experience. 10 years ago, people laughed at the University of Phoenix. Now families are concerned about costs and jobs after college. Virtual learning with specific focus on jobs is making steady progress. Students study at home using new online tools, work part or full-time, and benefit from distance learning.

The times, they are a changing...