Reflect on what you have learned in the class and how you will use it professionally as both a lifelong learner and an instructional systems professional (or whatever field you're in).
Before starting this class, I had no idea what was in store for me. Sure, I knew what Web 2.0 was and I was comfortable using it, but I was interested to know how to better leverage it to support learning and performance. Additionally, I was hoping to learn how to do this realistically within the constraints of a typical organization - How do you overcome the culture of the organization that doesn't support the use of web 2.0? How do you combat resistance from upper management and those who are uncomfortable with new technology and change?
While this class didn't directly address these questions, my interactions with my classmates gave me some insight into the resistance. The only difference being this wasn't within the context of an organization, so the element of culture was lacking. Overall, being exposed to the other perspective helped me to take a step back. It made me realize that I may need to approach introducing technology differently, more slowly and be patient. Very patient. Reinforce small successes.
Last Friday was my last day as an instructional designer at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV). Monday was my first day at my new job. Now, I work for a government contractor doing front-end analysis for Marine Corps training. In terms of using web 2.0, my new job is far from being ready for it. While HSMV was definitely behind the private sector, it was years ahead of my new work environment. Today, while doing some basic online research, I stumbled across the USMC's Twitter site. Excited, I clicked it, hoping I had found a small sign that web 2.0 may very well make its way into my new work environment. However, the company had blocked Twitter. :( Strike 1.
Thus, if I'm ever able to integrate web 2.0, it won't be anytime soon. For now, I'm going to do my best work, learn everything I can about my new environment and how things are done, all while keeping web 2.0 in the back of my mind.
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteIf you are interested in trying to get your new company up to speed on Web 2.0 perhaps this site will help. It contains an online database of different company's social media policies. Perhaps your company has very tight security issues, but there may be some other organizations facing similar issues who have figured out how to fit web 2.0 into their environment.
http://socialmediagovernance.com/policies.php
Jen- Hang in there. Even slow change is still change. For many organizations, the fear of an information security breach trumps all experiments with opening up to social media. For government agencies, the charge that employees are "goofing off" with Facebook while feeding at the public trough terrifies the executive office. Your challenge is to show them how to use collaborative tools in such a compelling manner that they see the the potential benefits are worth the perceived risks. Try to figure out how to introduce a wiki or a mash-up of info sources they already attend to, then build from there. Good luck! And pace yourself, its a long ride.
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