What have been your prior experiences with Web 2.0 technologies? Do you consider yourself a leader or follower in this realm, or something else altogether? Why? Also, discuss what you hope to get out of this class.
Being a Gen Y-er, I grew up using various Web 2.0 technologies, particularly social networking sites and chat. Technology was (and still is) my friend. Today, I have a hard time without my laptop (unless I'm on vacation, of course). When I'm unsure of anything, my first instinct is to Google it. When the power goes out during a storm, I'm at a loss for what to do.
However I'm not sure that I'm a leader in this realm per se, but I don't feel as though I'm a follower either. I think it depends how you look at it. I don't blog (aside from this) and the only sources I currently contribute to regularly are social networking sites (mostly to stay connected to friends and family). So, I wouldn't say that I have many (if any) virtual followers. However, I use Web 2.0 technologies everyday. I read blogs on occasion (when I have time), especially when I'm looking for certain information. I use FB (MySpace once upon a time) to keep in touch with friends and family. I've stored pictures on Photobucket an accessed others' pictures on Flickr or Smug Mug. I have a LinkedIn account for professional networking (which I do a terrible job at updating). I use Gmail for my personal email and to chat with friends. I don't typically tweet, but I follow a handful of people. And I love to video chat with friends I haven't seen in awhile! I'm sure I could go on because I can't actually recall each and every Web 2.0 technology I use since it's so much apart of my everyday Internet experience. So, when it comes to promoting the use of Web 2.0 technologies at work where many of my colleagues aren't used to using such technologies, I would consider myself a leader.
For me, being able to instant message a coworker to ask a quick question is not just a luxury, but a necessity. If I had a nickel for every minute of off-topic conversation in a supervisor's office, I'd be rich! Walking down the hall to ask a quick question, while a nice break from whatever it was I was doing, is really a huge distraction. It gets me out of my zone and takes me awhile to get back down to business. And I would venture to guess that the loss of productivity due to this is higher than you would think. So, I would like to gain more knowledge regarding how to seamlessly integrate Web 2.0 technologies into a work environment, particularly, what convincing information is there for getting a supervisor on board with this and how do you allay a boss's concerns over the misuse of Web 2.0 while on the job?
Jennifer- I like your entire post but I think you scored a bulls-eye with the very last sentence. There is no question that very many people spend a hugh amount of time "off task" but "on the clock". This is terrifying to a supervisor.
ReplyDeleteThe advice I have given to supervisors who are responsible for a teleworker for the first time is that they have to try to manage the work and not the person--make reasonable time estimates and establish milestones and clear expectations. Maybe this will help the supervisor whose employees have access to W2.0 technologies as well?
In some arenas (e.g. government employment), the audit trail is sound even if auditing itself is slow, so the stakes CAN become quite high for the manager.
I telecommute for my current job and I personally love it! Give me a deadline and I'll meet it - I'm a student, so that's how I'm used to working. But sit me at a desk for 8 hours and I'm bored out of my mind and feel like I spend a considerable amount of time trying to get myself to focus. I think my supervisors understand that. They're great at managing the project and not micromanaging me!
ReplyDeleteBut, when I'm in the office I'm not *supposed* to use Web 2.0 tools like GChat, Skype, or Facebook chat. I can understand the agency's concern over their misuse, but they can also be extremely helpful. The other day a coworker asked me about a file conversion that I was unsure of. Google inundated me with various software downloads, which we are not authorized to do. So, I found a friend on Facebook who was able to give me a better solution and much faster than Google. Sure, I could socialize and be 'off-task,' but is that really any worse than just staring at my computer screen willing my brain to focus?