| Your Training Connection
Black Hills State University Educational Outreach
October 2009 - Vol 1, Issue 3 |
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| Greetings! |
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 Black Hills State University welcomes you to the latest issue of Your Training Connection from the Educational Outreach office. Our goal is to keep you informed of non-credit opportunities that can enhance your professional as well as your personal life.
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The world is at your fingertips! |
BHSU's partnership with Ed2Go gives you access to more than 300 online non-credit short-term courses. These instructor-facilitated courses cover every topic that you can imagine - from Creating Web Pages to Accounting Fundamentals, Speed Spanish to Grant Writing, Medical Terminology to Real Estate Investing, and much, much more! They are informative, fun, convenient, and highly interactive. You won't find any tutorials here! The instructors are famous for their ability to create warm and supportive communities of learners. It's no wonder that many long-lasting friendships have formed in the lively discussion areas. Each course runs for 6 weeks (with a two-week grace period at the end) and consists of 12 lessons. A new section of each course starts monthly. Courses are project-oriented and include lessons, quizzes, hands-on assignments, discussion areas, supplementary links, and more. You can complete any course entirely from your home or office! Any time of the day or night! Ask questions of your instructor at the times most convenient for you! All you need to get started is Internet access, an e-mail address, and a Web browser. Additional requirements, if any, will be listed with the course description. Browse the course catalog to find out what you've been missing!
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| Developing extraordinary websites |
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 Looking for a way to make your website stand out from the crowd? BHSU can help! Check out our online non-credit Website Design training program. This nationally recognized program focuses on the fundamental technical and aesthetic skills required for this challenging field. You'll gain proficiency in the software programs that every Web designer needs to know: Adobe Photoshop, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, and Flash. You'll learn how to create digital images and animations, and build standards-compliant Web sites using either HTML/CSS hand-coding or Web editing programs. Hands-on projects focus on essential skills and provide experience in professional Web design project scenarios. Class assignments include include digital retouching and compositing, XHTML page markup, CSS-based layout and typography, home page and navigation design, Flash graphics and animations, mouseover effects, competitive analysis, site maps, wireframes, mood boards, color palettes, blog layout, and portfolio site design.
Learn how to:
* Prepare bitmap images for print or the Web using basic Photoshop retouching and correction techniques, collage, and compositing.
* Create standards-compliant Web page layouts by hand-coding using HTML and CSS.
* Publish Web pages to a Web server using Dreamweaver FTP.
* Develop Web page and site layouts using Adobe Dreamweaver and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).
* Gain a basic understanding of creative and career options in the Web design field (optional elective).
* Utilize the fundamentals of color, typography, and composition in developing page layouts.
* Design Web layouts, graphics, navigation buttons, and banner ads using Adobe Fireworks.
* Design basic Flash page graphics, animations, ads, and promotional sites.
* Develop a systematic approach to Web design projects using site maps, wireframes, usability, and competitive analysis.
* Develop a creative approach to Web design projects using mood boards and design comps. * Transform comp layouts into valid HTML/CSS Web pages using hand-coding.
* Design Web page layouts for a range of different types of business clients.
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| Five Tips for Startups and Entrepreneurs |
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Don't focus on growth; focus on cash preservation
David Cowan, Bessemer Venture Partners, recommends companies move toward cash preservation rather than growth. "Spend less time worrying about what competitors will do in terms of features, it won't be your biggest problem because competitors will have same issues in terms of growth," he said. "Move toward cash preservation."
Work out how to monetize social networks
Mahaney said the opportunities he sees are in social networks. "At the moment, no one has figured out how to monetize them, but they can - absolutely," he said.
Don't make new commitments, look for opportunities in mobile technology
Cowan also recommends to avoid new commitments, and to make money he suggests looking at new ways to use media. Taking out his iPhone, he played a tune for the audience using the new Ocarina application. "Six people developed this and it's sold tens of thousands." This is only one idea; there are lots of creative ways to use the Internet and mobiles.
Strike while there is less competition
Tai sees opportunity in going forward, and is most excited about Internet technologies, mobile and open source. "Everything is bigger and happens faster when stuff hits in this environment," he said. In the environment of a few years ago, you'd have 20-50 competitors; in this market you have fewer competitors and an opportunity to shine.
Look to the virtual world and expect to nurture your product for 7 - 8 years
Basil Horangic, North Bridge Venture Partners said that they're seeing excellent growth in companies that are working on social networks, virtual world space and the monetization for virtual goods. "There is a lot of innovation in those areas," he said. As for startups looking to be acquired, he tells the audience that the data shows companies go public and get sold at seven or eight years of age.
*ReadWriteWeb Blog, November 2008.
There is still time to take advantage of BHSU's Entrepreneurship Series.
Sessions are just $39/each.
You have the vision - let BHSU help you make it a success.
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| Everything that you always wanted to know about Homestake |
Come to the Adams Museum on November 19th to hear two area experts discuss Homestake: Its Past and Future. Steven T. Mitchell, author of the about to be published Nuggets to Neutrinos: The Homestake Story, will explore the rich history behind Homestake Mine then Dr. Jose Alonso, Sanford Underground Laboratory at Homestake emeritus director, will address Homestake's future. The presentation will be held at the Adams Museum, 54 Sherman Street in Deadwood on November 19th from 1 pm to 3:30 pm. Space is limited and registration is required. The fee is $49 per person.
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Educational Outreach extends the resources of
Black Hills State University
by providing excellent non-credit opportunities
for life-long learning for community and professional development,
economic growth and personal enrichment.
Educational Outreach welcomes your comments and questions.
Contact us with your suggestions for future non-credit opportunities.
We can be reached at 605-642-6321 or Cheryl.Templeton@BHSU.edu |
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| Save $10 |
Black Hills State University invites you to experience learning the way it was meant to be: enjoyable, clear, uncomplicated, fast, and convenient!
Try any $99 Ed2Go online course for $89.
To take advantage of this offer, just register by November 16th for the November 18th session. You must pay for the course by check - not by credit card online.
Register at www.ed2go.com/BHSU
and then attach a copy of this coupon
when mailing in your registration and the $89 payment. |
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Offer Expires: November 16, 2009. Good only for a $99 Ed2Go class - November 18th start date. |
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