Inspiring Social Media Deluge

The world will never lack of inspiration....EVER!!

In my nightly reading, I chanced upon a list of social media tools that anyone can use, mostly free-of-charge. Reading through it, I felt like I was drowning on information overload. At the same time though, the information made me excited and had me glued to my monitor. I chose to highlight some of the social media tools here --- to share with you all --- however you want to use them.

BLOGS:
Not just blogging on public domains, but also blogging within an organization, is an excellent way to disseminate information and teach others. As I work for a post-secondary institution, I was drawn to one of the softwares featured which is EduBlog Campus - a software that not just manages multiple blogs within an institution, but hosts them all in one domain. It is a good tool to promote learning as employees could use blogs to write about lessons learned, project de-briefings, international academic exchanges/partnerships, etc.

Program to use - EduBlog Campus

COLLABORATIVE RESOURCES:
Software that runs on a web browser, so participants with permission can view and edit documents, encouraging them to share knowledge, generate content and learn.

Program to use - Google Collaboration Tools
(Docs, Sites, Conversations and Waves)

CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM:
Building your own web sites and online applications the easy way where you can keep track of every piece of information on your site has been an option that has been out there for years. There are now a number out there that require almost zero technical skills and are free!! I have used Weebly for a personal website I have - www.journeywithcharlie.weebly.com, but there are other ones out there. I have used Joomla as well, but I did not end up finalizing anything with it (as all my friends were using Weebly), and I guess I am not really the 'maverick' that I sometimes think I am...hehe...

Programs to use : Joomla or Weebly

LIVE WEBCASTS/INTERACTIVE WEBINARS:
Imagine having impromptu collaborative learning sessions that can be set-up in a snap! A session where participants can present powerpoint presentations and documents, share videos, audios and web pages. Participants can mark-up documents and use a shared multi-page whiteboard, with no need to install or download software to join in.

Program to use - Dimdim
(includes a free plan with full functionality for smaller groups)


MICRO-BLOGGING:
Twitter, the most used microblogging platform, is highly public, and for organizations that do not find this palatable, there is a secure enterprise microblogging platform. It’s a means for social sharing within an organization through messaging and collaborating.

An organization of isolated employees can be transformed into a network of approachable contacts. Discussions are searchable and so they can grow and serve as an organization's knowledgebase. It is a way to engage and to open communication across an institution.

Program to use - Yammer
(a secure microblogging platform)

MINDMAPS:
Visualization is another way to learn effectively. Mind maps are used for brainstorming sessions, to explain concepts and for creative problem solving.

Program to use - Mindmeister
(free basic browser-based service for creating mind maps through an intuitive interface)

MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATIONS:
Imagine a site where participants watch or listen and then comment via webcam, text, telephone or microphone. Although this does not equate to real-time conversations, it promotes collaboration and creates discussion threads. For example, an employee could create a starter learning event that gets enhanced by the knowledge distributed around the organization and recorded via the discussion threads.

Program to use - VoiceThread

PODCASTS:
Since podcasts can be played on small handheld devices, it is an easy way to distribute information. Features included are audio editing, recording, importing audio files, sound digitization and effects.

Program to use - Audacity
(free downloadable software)

SOCIAL NETWORKING PLATFORM:
Another tool for learning and collaboration where participants can create and join groups, blog, connect with friends, microblog, add pages, upload documents, multimedia files and presentations. Employees can share knowledge across multi-locations or build 'study communities' where they all learn from each other.

Program to use - Elgg
(free social networking and publishing application)

WEB-BASED TALK SHOWS:
Free web-based service where anyone can create, join and listen to live interactive presentations and discussions. Talk shows can be recorded, making them available as podcasts later.

Participants can browse through their list of current and scheduled shows for impromptu learning. Workplace learning can be created by scheduling events and then sending out announcements about them. Examples would be a question and answer session with an in-house expert or a panel discussion using expertise outside of your organization.

Program to use - TalkShoe

WIKIS:
Promote collaborative learning and information sharing by allowing anyone with rights to add content. Imagine your organization's Director of Centre for Information Technology or Director for Computer Services adding tools and tips to an organization’s Wiki after a new software is introduced.

Program to use - MediaWiki
(free and open source Wiki for a large organization)

Much too many choices right????
but FOLLOW YOUR PASSION......and whatever you do will be great!!

Having more Women in your Team will make it a Better Team? Yes? No?

This might get me in hot water with my male friends, but the answer is YES.
Having more women in your team will make it a better, smarter team. Do I hear "and she has the nerve to add smarter"!! So, it is now not only "better", but "smarter" too?!! YES again...

Research studies from Carnegie Mellon and MIT show that if you want a smarter team, include more women in it. They are not referring to mere intelligence, since we all know that men and women are equally intelligent or equally dull (whatever the case may be). Their studies show that for a team to succeed, the members of the team must have high social sensitivity, and women always always score higher in social sensitivity rankings. Once again, there are men who are very much equipped with social sensitivity as well, but with women, social sensitivity is the norm. Being socially sensitive means you maintain an open mind during discussions. The team dynamics you adhere to is that of brain-storming and accepting any negative criticisms that may come your way. It is giving way to those who at the specific time has the best idea and not just barrelling-on with what you initially perceived as the best course. If in a team it is only the so-called "smart" persons who run the show, then it is not really a smart team.

Women are 'nurturers'....and that nurturing attitude transfers to a team in the way they help their team-mates be more collaborative and be more open about what they are passionate about. Who can question the fact that when you are passionate about something, you put your heart and soul into it, resulting in the fruition of whatever goals you've set?!! Multiply this open passion into however many members there are in a team, have them all work in unison and you have a great team in your hands.

The long and short of it is --- women help their team-mates work together in a 'smarter' manner.

Do I still hear mumbled rumblings from the male species?