In fewer than three months, Jake is already introducing Indira into the wide world of Python programming.
Indira learns the importance of white space and practices overriding her first class method.
During the baby name research, comprised of reading the tens of thousands of names out loud, I thought a lot about the power of names. Having a common last name, I am hoping to find and select something unique. Also, because of the Googling phenomenon, which most computer users use to look up everyone from potential employees to blind dates, I started Googling possible name combinations to see how many others are already out in the Web universe. In doing so I encountered an article about how new parents are gobbling (or Googling?) up URLs for their new baby.
Hmmm. OK. So maybe you want to start a blog when the baby arrives for pictures and updates for friends and family. But, really, what’s the child going to do with the URL that is their namesake? Is this something for parents to use in the interim and then pass along to the little one when they are ready to develop baby’s first Web site? Readers who have purchased a vanity site their their baby on board, write and let me know what you’re planning to do with it.
The use of Internet technology exploded during my college years in the late 1990’s. Years later, I have become very comfortable with Googling, using various e-mail accounts and interrupting work to immediately respond to an instant message that pops up on my screen. The next generation is more savvy than that, exchanging information, both business-related and social, through social networking sites, all during the business day.
Traditional learning techniques, such as lecture, are still successful, but the instructor must now be part entertainer to keep the audience enthused. In many cases rote learning went the way of the abacus. Considering that kids and young adults learn new skills via video games, podcasting, computer-based training and more, it creates a challenge for those training this generation for the workforce, according to a recent Training magazine article, “Generational Series, Part 3: Biz Kid.” Tapping into an attention-grabbing resource, such as the gaming environment, or holding conferences through MySpace or Facebook, where young adults spend a lot of time anyway, could be two ways to keep interest and help this generation focus on what’s important – learning – and preparing themselves for the workforce where they can use these skills to help a company take its products and services to the next level.