Valley adult ed offers online course

Valley Regional Adult Education has announced the launch of a new online class, Introduction to Windows 8, through its online partner ed2go. 

Students will learn how get the most from the Microsoft Windows 8 operating system, including managing apps, programs, photos, files, and folders. 

Participants will also learn how to organize photos, protect their files, and browse the Internet with Window 8's new Internet Explorer.

This course is part of Valley Regional Adult Education's growing catalog of more than 300 instructor-facilitated online courses. 

Through well-crafted lessons, expert online instruction, and interaction with fellow students, participants in these courses gain valuable knowledge at their convenience. 

They have the flexibility to study at their own pace combined with enough structure and support to complete the course. And they can access the classroom 24/7 from anywhere with an Internet connection.
New sessions of each course run every month. They last six weeks, with two new lessons being released weekly (for a total of 12). The courses are entirely Web-based with comprehensive lessons, quizzes, and assignments. 

A dedicated professional instructor facilitates every course; pacing learners, answering questions, giving feedback, and facilitating discussions.
To learn more, call 203-924-6651 or visit http://www.vrae.org and click Online Learning under Enrichment Programs.

Valley Regional Adult Education provides educational services to residents of Ansonia, Derby, Monroe, Seymour, and Shelton.

Visit www.vrae.org or call 203-924.6651.

This information was taken from a press release from Valley Regional Adult Education.

When it rains it does indeed pour

I was unable to post here yesterday because some gremlin playing an early Halloween trick thought it would be funny to take away our Internet, TV, and phone connection.

I wasn't laughing.  I couldn't file a story, check or send e-mail, check Facebook messages, or post here on the blog.
I felt like the proverbial fish out of water.

I wasn't laughing.

I'm typing this at a friend's house. He had to pick me up, because my car decided to expire yesterday afternoon. I was a half-mile from home and smoke started to come out from under the hood. So I stopped, parked, and jumped out of the vehicle. Fortunately I have AAA service, and so the car was towed.

I wasn't laughing.

Are you sensing a pattern here?

The cable company customer service person said if our service doesn't return, someone would be out between 1 and 3 p.m. today.

But as you might guess, I have plans at 1 p.m. I made an appointment for an interview. My husband is available today to drive me to the interview, but then no one would be home to greet the cable guy.

I'm not laughing. 

And I've yet to call the service station about my poor little car. I really don't want to hear any bad news right now.

I'm not laughing.

Oxford's Talking Finger does more than talk

The Talking Finger staff includes co-founder Erik Granato, social media strategist Dana Bereza, graphic designer Chris Durso, and co-founder William DeRosa. / Contributed photo

 
Congratulations go out today to local social media marketers, Talking Finger.

The Oxford-based business placed third in a recent Facebook fan page competition sponsored by Social Media Examiner, which calls itself “the world’s largest online social media magazine.”
The contest had more than 1,800 entries.
 

Bill DeRosa of Oxford, who founded the business with Valley native Erik Granato, said last week he was thrilled the business made the Top 10. And he expressed his gratitude to the 70 people who took the time to write about their experiences with Talking Finger.

DeRosa and Granato started Talking Finger in 2010. The men say it is vital for businesses today to have a strong social media presence, and they help them achieve that presence.

However they warn that companies cannot abandon traditional marketing strategies.

Talking Finger offers seminars through the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce in Shelton. The business will be at Thursday's 2012 Business Showcase at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport.

DeRosa and Granato, as well as staffers Dana Bereza, and Chris Durso, are to be commended on their success in a less than welcoming economy.

I wish them the best as they continue to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk.