Collaborative Conversations

It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed. —Charles Darwin

Though Darwin was not discussing Web 2.0 technologies, the point that collaboration is a powerful indicator of success is very relevant to this discussion.  In Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Tools for Classrooms, author Will Richardson argues that modern teaching should be a conversation, not a lecture.  The text goes on to discuss that the integration of Web 2.0 tools has led a shift towards collaboration and conversation and away from lecture as the go-to education tool.  When thinking about this shift through the lens of employee communications in the corporate environment, it seems that the same principles can apply.  Rather than looking at employee communications as a one-way street, we need to continue to develop more tools that engage employees and encourage conversation.  The Web 2.0 tools are just as applicable in this space as in education.  When there are hot button industry issues, a relevant change in government regulations or a need to explain quarterly earnings, I hope we can begin to encourage conversations and questions more and decrease the PowerPoint lectures.  One way I could affect this change is to provide conversation starters to executives instead of full remarks. Rather than remarks followed by questions, a new format could be for the executive to make a few statements relevant to the issue (key points) and then take questions/comments before moving on to the next segment, followed by questions/comments again.  This would admittedly be less formal, but may also encourage increased transparency and developing collaborative solutions as a company.  Helpful technologies include video conferencing, collaboration sites within SharePoint, and real-time document sharing.  We could also provide a wrap up blog post with space for comments as opposed to the follow-up email.

Richardson, Will. Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2010. Print.

Has Web 2.0 resulted in a less educated public?

“The broadcast and digital media has become the most important source of educating the public as to the issues of our time. I say educating specifically because as I see it the purpose of including the press in the First Amendment was the understanding of our founding Fathers that in order to maintain this new type of government they had invented, there was an overarching need for an informed public.” – Mike Spindell

George Orwell once said "In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act."  But what happens when there aren’t enough truth-tellers?  The rise of Web 2.0 technologies has resulted in momentous reductions in news staff around the world.  How does has this affected the public at-large?

Freedom of the press was considered so essential to an informed electorate capable of responsible governance that our founding fathers expressly mentioned in the First Amendment.  A blog post from Mike Spindell in October 2013 builds on that protection by stating “many have declared it essential as a bulwark against tyranny.”  So what then happens when the free press is solely dependent upon advertisers or government support?

As Web 2.0 technologies have blossomed, trained journalists at traditional news outlets have been nearly continuously culled.   And readers have become accustomed to receiving news for free.  The membership of Investigative Reporters and Editors fell more than 30 percent just from 2003-2009.  American Journalism Review reported in a piece from September 2010 that as of September 2010, applications for Pulitzers were down more than 40 percent in some investigative categories, this drop was reflected across journalistic competitions.  The result is fledgling, underpaid journalists without time to fact check or chase down independent leads.

So, can blogs fill the gap?  Jessica Palmer digs into this question in a piece from 2009.  Palmer laments that though there are many good science blogs, we (science bloggers) don’t have access to skilled staff or fact-checkers and that the problems of inaccuracies, over-generalizations and misrepresentations are prevalent in popular science journalism everywhere now as generalist writers have to cover the sports beat, the crime beat, the science beat, the government beat etc.

A Washington Post article from Jeff Bezos shoes a Newspaper Association of America graph demonstrating the slide of print revenues from 2003 to 2012.

An article from The Atlantic’s Alexis C. Madrigal, shows in graph form the decline in writing on Wall Street from 2002 – 2011.  Though the rise of internet reporting and cuts in staff cannot be entirely responsible, I would argue that the decline in staff and average attention spans play a significant role.

Graph from The Remarkable Decline in the Wall Street Journal’s Long-Form Journalism, The Atlantic, April 17,2013

Today’s blogs aren’t a replacement for traditional journalism; they’re a complement to it. And while science blogs (or Twitter, or wikis, or any of a number of other interactive media) may eventually “fill the void” left by the regrettable decline of traditional science journalism, to do so credibly, they’re going to have to evolve into something better adapted to the task. –Jessica Palmer

What do you think?  Is there a path forward for truthful, investigative reporting? Has the dearth of journalists harmed our government?  Our ability to interpret complex scientific data?  Other results?

Connectivism for business

In continuing the conversation on Skype, it's been a great tool to connect with co-workers and share information on processes.  This week, my colleague and I had a Skype meeting instead of the normal call to check in.  It was much easier to share information when we could chat and share our screens.  It was also quicker than my colleague having to take several screen shots to show me the new way to pull a report and create supporting graphics.  I will use Skype for meetings again as a way to more quickly and accurately share information and connect with colleagues I don't get to see on a regular basis.  Through increasing meaningful virtual connections, I expect a more efficient sharing of information and learning from my colleagues.

Is connectivism actionable today?

The wikispaces blog here discusses the learning theory, connectivism, which considers knowledge and learning as a formation of connections and the ability to share knowledge with others is more critical that what we, as individuals, can know.  The wiki raises an important question asking if introverts are at a disadvantage under the connectivism theory as they are less likely to work to make an abundance of connects (but would likely take in what is shared and make meaningful connections with a relatively small group).  I also question connectivism's lack of "oversight" and worry that the big picture will become lost in the network of intricate, piece meal knowledge sharing.

I agree that making knowledge connections are critical and that learning to navigate networks to gain information is more important than ever.  In the end, connectivism as a theory is valuable to consider, but need additional work to allow for some of the aforementioned weaknesses.

Skype can do much more for you, if you let it

In a departure from IP, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the potential of Skype for business, education, improving personal communication and learning through our network.  I recently read an article from the social media site Mashable discussing tips for better utilizing Skype and realized I have a ways to go!  Though the article is a few years old, these are options I hadn't previously thought about. The applications of the five applications discussed: screen sharing, skype extras, call forwarding, checking on house/pets while away, and Skype as a customer service tool are wide-ranging.  These are ways I certainly hadn't though of using Skype and I can see valuable applications in my immediate work.  In particular, the screen sharing function is a way to simply explain a process and get real-time feedback.  And on a personal note, think I'll be setting up my computer to live-cast my pups more often.  Tell me your thoughts, are there other ways we can use Skype to better relate new ideas to colleagues or students?  Can you see application for the call forwarding function?

Another, more recent article, from Skype's official blog discusses group chat within Skype.  I can see this being used by small teams of employees and students as an alternative to Google Hangouts.  I like the functionality and organization allowed by Skype's group chat, do you?

Need a quick IP lesson? Check out The Patent Podcast

I wanted to share a great podcast I recently listened to from The Patent Podcast titled What is a Patent? US Patent Basics.  Though admittedly a dry subject matter, the podcast succeeds in taking the listener through utility patents, design patents and plant patents in a clear and straight forward manner.  In looking to see what was out there covering IP in podcast-land, I looked at several others and found a few helpful Planet Money podcasts and a number of shows devoted to specific issues, but I liked this one in particular because it offers an overview of what a patent is, how to obtain one, what maintenance is needed, and what to do in the event of patent infringement.  Additionally,I liked that this podcast is very succinct and to the point.  I would argue that this podcast series is a convenient way to quickly brush up or learn more about IP whilst commuting or folding laundry :) - happy listening!

You can check it out here: http://thepatentpodcast.com/what-is-a-patent-patent-basics/

IP and Flickr

As part of the class I'm taking that prompted this blog, we are to blog on Flickr.  In attempting to keep with the original blog subject matter, I'm sharing this thought provoking image that succeeds in being a cross between the "your brain on drugs" posters that peppered the Jr. High hallways of my youth and the James Montgomery Flagg "I Want You" army enlistment posters; you're welcome.  I like that the image, courtesy of Tom Gherke a.k.a. Digital Monkey (you can check out more images and clever commentary from him here) efficiently communicates that often protecting intellectual property requires action.  The image also succeeds in immediately explaining that IP is quite simply a creation of the mind.

Check out the Creative Commons portion of Flickr for additional images that are clearly organized and presented with information for how to cross-post an image for non-commercial purposes outlined on each photo.  Although the types of uses allowed and not allowed are clearly defined, direct permission should also be sought before utilizing an image that catches your eye. Any quick google search will turn up many stories discussing mis-use of Flickr photos for commercial and non-commercial purposes.  A 2007 New York Times article additionally discusses the differences between photographer's and subject's rights and demonstrates how complex, and weighty, misuse of images can become.