Tonight I was reading some blogs from our 4407 Instructional Tools blog mates.  I couldn't help but think about networking and a PLN.

While working at my previous job in banking, we developed a new tool for R&D.  Back then technology was computer that had DOS and Word Star for word processing and that was COOL but they only ran banking programs and a bit of what we called word processing back then.  Technology was not yet advanced enough to be cost effective or efficient as far as networking.
The project was called "Street Walker".  Back then we could have a sense of humor and the phrase  "politically correct" was not yet "politically correct".

The Street Walker program was a very good tool for building business and building connections.  The person selected such as a Commercial Loan Officer,  New Accounts Representative, or Consumer Loan Officer would go out to other businesses each week.  They would go to at least 1 new entity each day, and on their way stop at businesses, even other financial institutions, to make a connection.  You would go out and visit the entity.  You would ask them if they liked their bank, if so, why, what did they not like, why they did business with them, if they needed anything that their bank did not offer.  If you stopped at another bank you would talk to them about their products, you would see what they offered, see if they had customers that may need a product they did not offer, you would compare products.  Many times when you revisited them you would just see how things were going and you made a working relationship.  Not to be in direct competition but to learn about them.  To see what they had to offer, to see if you could perhaps refer customers to each other, or even to just let them know that you were there.  If nothing else, to be a name that they were familiar with and could relate to.

The "Street Walker" program was a huge hit.  It increased our visibility and our volume.  It was nice to have a network that was so connected.  When I look at the technology tools, I think of the "Street Walker" program and my PLN back then.  I didn't realize it but I had a great PLN.  I had connections and I developed new outreach programs such as going out to the high schools with checkbooks and teaching high schools students how to budget their funds.  I would give each student a checkbook and savings ledger with an amount already in the starting balance.  Then I would have them draw a "life scenario" out of a bowl (Very high tech?) and they would have to go with that scenario for that week.  They could have had an accident and needed to use their savings and didn't get a paid, they could have received a promotion, or they could have had a child or bought a home.  It was good for them to see that many of life's events are not planned for and could happen to anyone.  It was a great tool.

I look at my current PLN and although things have changed immensely since then, we still need to create that network of connections and tools. Things have changed but then again, the basics are the same.  We now have a more advanced PLN but we always had one.

techtooljule
#techhrd

http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2015/06/11/index.html

http://www.edweek.org/ew/toc/2015/06/11/index.html

Flipped Classroom: A New Education Model Enabled by Technology

Flipped Classroom: A New Education Model Enabled by Technology



#techhrd

Cut, Paste, Embed, Copy, Draw

This week I learned so quick ways to "pretty" up my blog post.  For many years I have cut, pasted, inserted, and embedded.  This week I learned some new ways and found short cuts to what I was doing. 
I was fun to look at Dr. Robin's blog and see what she had created and how she created the engaging bits she added to her blog.
This weekend I will be able to explore this in more depth and practice some. 

This week I was able to create a video to help students to complete a travel form.  I was able to post it to Youtube and it was fun. 

What did you enjoy about this week?  I think it has been a super fun week.

Julie

  

I just made a screen cast of a form that I want to show some students how to fill out.
The link is  http://youtu.be/dXOgWiD2s1A a

I like screen-cast- o-matic except that you cannot go back and edit it.  If you make a mistake you need to start over.  If you do a long screen cast such as 15 minutes, it is painful to have to start over.  
On the other hand, it is super easy to make a screen caste with Screen-cast-o-matic, and it is free.

techtooljule

#techhrd

This evening I am learning about inserting pictures into my blog and I am also thinking back on what I have learned about blogging.  I think that one of the things that I learned about blogging is Blogging  does not need to be employment or academically  oriented.  A blog can be on any topic you think is interesting.  Dr. Robin Lindbeck, our professor has given us some really good links that are copy right free and this link is one of my favorite ones http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp

 Some of the things I am interested in are antiques.  Like this pocket watch.  


Another interest I have is yard work and landscaping.  I love flowers.



 The diversity of topics you can blog is amazing.  If I am interested in the topic, blogging is fun and I can spend hours reading other people's blogs.  Some people make any topic interesting and informative and I like that.  I like knowing that I am learning something that I can use.  I am enjoying reading the blogs from class because there are lots of good ideas on how to increase the value of my PLN.  Some posts also relate to something I am not sure I like about a PLN, such as "putting" my personal information out there, online.  I can see that there are times I would want to put more information about me online and sometimes, not.  It was nice to see that it is okay to "cull the herd" and unsubscribe to some blogs or quit following someone because the information being received back is either too much, or is not helpful.

I find that the people in my group are very helpful and have great blogs, both visually, and in content.

Thanks for helping to make my experience a great one.

techtooljule
#techhrd

LinkedIn

LinkedIn

My experience on LinkedIn has been good but I do not use it to it's full potential.  I do not fully utilize it as I could to network. You can connect with others and in specific types of entities.  You can connect with others you happen to cross in training, at work, or in class.  Linked in gives you a chance to promote others and their skills. You can follow people, entities, and Associations, etc.  I follow some but do not keep up with them on a regular basis

The drawback is I have had people that I have never met recommend my skills.   Sometimes the skills are not what I excel in or are not skills that I have.  I do not believe that you should promote any one's skills unless you know they possess those skills and excel in them.  LinkedIn rates your profile on others promoting your skills and on how many people viewed your profile.  The views can be tracked.  Due to the fact that your rating is being based on skills and views, it reminds me of a popularity contest.  People can promote your skill and then other people that you may or may not know, pop up with suggestions on skills you should promote them for. If you do, you may be hoping they will promote you in return.  I think that is how a couple of people have recommended a skill that I do not have.  If someone really is promoting a person they know and their skills, it would be nice if LinkedIn required you to write a recommendation.  The recommendation should describe the skill, how they utilize that skill, and how you know they have that skill.   If LinkedIn did require us to write about the person as opposed to clicking a spot that just pops up with a pre selected skill, I would be more inclined to rely on the ratings and skills listed. 

You can solicit people to recommend you and your can do that by including a request to your connections globally.  I am not sure that is an appropriate way to ask for recommendations.  It is a "canned" request and not personal at all.  It does not tell what specifically they want to be recommended for.  A recommendation could be written differently depending if they want to apply for a job for a position or if they want you to recommend them for an award, etc.  I don't think that sending out a global request will give you results that will be useful for a potential employer.

I do not list my place of work and do not list the town I live in.  I list general skills and positions I have held.  If I was seeking employment and using LinkedIn as a tool I would be more specific.  I do not feel comfortable enough with putting that information out there for the "world" to know.

techtooljule

#techhrd