Harnessing Web 2.0 Technologies for Department Chairs Academic Chairpersons Conference Presentation

Harnessing Web 2.0Technology for Department

Chairs: Technologies toEnhance Collaborative and

Effective Leadership

Gonzalo Bacigalupe, EdD, MPHAssociate Professor & Chair

Department of Counseling & School PsychologyUniversity of Massachusetts Boston

gonzalo.bacigalupe@umb.edubacigalupe@gmail.com

Legal Disclaimer

The author has no financial relations with any ofthe companies mentioned in this presentation

The intention of this presentation is not topromote any technology product

The author views on technology products arebased on his own personal experience, otherfaculty and administrators, and research whenavailable

Personal Disclaimer

Technology (hardware, software, etc.)choices, preferences, and biases areprobably temporary

Decisions about products I choose, like, orhave to live with, are often driven byvariables not all under my control

Technology per se is not the problem. Whatthe IT folks see as the problem is probablynot what may get us stuck

Technology may help

Why this workshop?

We confront innumerous challenges, havefew resources, and little time to addressthe daily administrative decisions aswell as the larger strategic demands ofour leader role. (the nature of our work)

Technology is often defined as a tool forteaching and/or research . Its use foracademic leadership and management isoften an afterthought.

Workshop GoalsTo identify what we may effectively tackle with

Web 2.0 technologies

To address in a safe context questions abouttechnology and our feelings of inadequacy

To explore the usage of popular web-basedsoftware.

To strategize how to think less about what wedo not know and think effectively about ouruse of rapidly evolving tools

Change

Technology changes rapidly: choices orrecommendations will change

Despite not knowing, Department Chairsset a tone for tools adoption

Knowledge exists in unexpected places

If this is what it feels like

You are not alonehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/arollinger/2172141461/sizes/o/

What is in your mind?

• If I were the expert on questionsabout technology and the chair role,what would you ask me?

• What would make the time spenttogether worth your time?

This gadget is everything (cartoon)

http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/

Wheeler, et.al (2008).

Be aware of technological developments and usethem efficiently

Encourage technological literacy and training

Use technology to facilitate outcomes, assessment,and accountability

Develop plan for resource allocation

Adopt emerging technology prudently

Consider the impact on student services

Department Chairs’ Ideas

•Technology Devices and Web 1.0

•Web 2.0

•Others :-)

http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/2008/11/23/return-of-the-cartoon-blog/

Device and Web 1.0 Technologies

Excel.  I make spreadsheets for everything.  Classscheduling, when faculty need to be evaluated,budget lines, etc.  Use it for grading too: plug in allthe assignment and test grades, and formulas,calculate grades, etc. (rockprof, 09/03/08)

A really fabulous Administrative Assistant, whomanipulates the software with aplomb.  (…) OutlookCalendar and its Notes function too. (anthroid,09/03/08)

Copernic Desktop Search: Finds everything I needwith the right search terms. (resis, 01/13/09)

Device and Web 1.0 Technologies

Chairs should not be permitted to use the digital callforward messaging function to send chippermessages to all the phones in the department. It'sjust evil. (mendeddr, 9/3/08).

While I understand the wish we all have—we eviladministrators—not to actually interact with ourcolleagues, we can do that much more effectively—ornot, as the case may be—by email.  Why should weactually have to commit our voices to some kind ofvocal message? (anthroid, 9/3/08)

Multiple computer monitors! … cheap way to increaseproductivity. (engineer, 9/5/08)

Device and Web 1.0 Technologies

Some kind of system that allows you to track yourTo Dos and current projects-(pippiek,10/20/08)

A Calendar System that's synched to your cell phone.… a Palm Treo Software is so intuitive.  I use thecalendar function on my office computer for all mymeetings, and then synchronize them every couple ofdays.

I-Cal to build the schedule (about 40 faculty membersand almost 600 majors).  I made a new calendar foreach room and then overlay selected rooms to seehow things were interacting.  (losemygrip, 10/22/08)

Department or a Tool?

Is there aperfecttechnology?

A TARDIS would bea very usefultechnology for adepartment chair.(elsie, 09/03/08)

Photo credits: http://www.rachelgeorge.co.uk/files/rep_Tardis_500.jpg

Digital technology is more than a depository (Web 1.0);it is a space for collaboration (Web 2.0)

Cartoon

Basic Assessment

Where is my list of contacts and calendar?

Is my crucial data stored in only onematerial device?

How do I work across various computersand digital devices?

Where do I keep my links?

In Sync

Does your email, calendar, and notes syncthrough your devices and a server(Microsoft Exchange or other)?

Does your Blackberry, Ipod, or personalelectronic device sync your informationacross your computer(s) with access atany connected device?

Web 2.0

Doodle for scheduling meetings.(jon_margerumleys, 09/04/08)

With web-based collaboration tools I had mixedresults--hard to get everyone to sign in andparticipate. (csguy, 09/06/08)

Wikis and GoogleDocs for joint writing projects.It beats the heck out of sending attachments ofWord documents back and forth and gettingyour versions confused. (larryc, 09/06/08)

What is Web 2.0?

http://kosmar.de/archives/2005/11/11/the-huge-cloud-lens-bubble-map-web20/

AssessmentWhere does your programmatic information

“lives”?

How does the updating of informationoccur?

Are FAQs answered in a strategic way?

Have I set up systems to worksynchronously and asynchronously?

Web 2.0 Examples

Links

Scheduling and Admissions

• Transparency

• Scaling (start with one, spread)

• Tracking & Planning

• Data in one place

• Faculty review in meetings or alone

• Longitudinal data (actual enrollment)

Google Docs Directory

Google Docs: Scheduling

Student Communication

• Student orientation

• Ongoing interactions

• Internship/Work Connection

• Graduation Rituals

• Alumni relations

Social Networking Tools

• Be mindful of privacy settings

• Networks (FB)

• Who is your “friend”?

• Access to information

• There is no right/wrong privacysettings but need to learn them

FB Department

Student Orientation Example

Communication: RSVPs

Social Networking:Department, Programs, Faculty

Social Networking:Department, Programs, Faculty

Programmatic Life

• Student and Faculty Portfolios

• Accreditation

• Internship

• Forms

• Instructions

• Strategic Planning

E-Portfolio Example

Wikis

• Easy to use

• Interactive

• Flexible

• No upfront cost

• Paid subscription add specificfeatures

Wiki Program Info

Wiki: Accreditation

Wikis

wikis

ArchivingPhotos andVideo Clips(embedding)

Wikis: Strategic Planning

Wikis

• Work well with other tools

• Faculty find them helpful since itallows for creativity, control, andvarious degrees of collaboration.

Google Doc linked to Wiki

Lessons

• Tools can be combined or use alone

• Learning one tool facilitates learningothers.

• Most popular tools may not be the mostuseful but change can take time becausethe power of the tool is largely based onits ability to attract users

Privacy, reputation,security

These issues should concern us but shouldnot scare us (Do you know exactly whohas access to your physical belongingson campus?)

Digital natives may not at times measurewell the potential consequences of notthinking about privacy.

Chairs should look at privacy seriouslyand also embrace transparency.

Web 2.0 LearningTechnologies:Impact on Chair Role

•Learning Management Systems

•Virtual Reality Technology

•Open Course Ware

Online Learning Environments: LMS

Online Learning Environments: Virtual Reality

OCW Department

OCW Course Example

Lessons and tendencies

• Hybridization of asynchronous and synchronous

• Email usage decreases

• Mobile primacy

• Cloud computing

• Simplicity, inter-operability, open source

• Generational change: digital breath (vs. add-on)

• Ability to erase digital path

Challenges

http://www.hitechhall.com/prsnlgrphics/tech_cartoon.gif

Challenges

• Where is the data hosted? (is it as secureas your bank account?)

• If the web development is rapid, how doesit relate to the slower pace of governance?

• Do we all understand who owns what in amash-up environment?

• What is “official” and unofficial in theonline environment?

Challenges

• What are the pedagogical implications of thesedevelopments? What counts as scholarship?

• What sort of new literacy is required tonavigate in this environment?

• How do these dynamic processes relate to thelearning outcomes demands?

• Is it about the technology and/or about somecore changes of the educational enterprise?

Contact InformationGonzalo Bacigalupe, EdD, MPHAssociate Professor & ChairUniversity of Massachusetts BostonGraduate College of EducationDepartment of Counseling & School Psychology100 Morrissey Bvld. Boston MA 02125-33931.617.287.7631

gonzalo.bacigalupe@umb.eduwww.faculty.umb.edu/gonzalo_bacigalupe/http://delicious.com/bacigalupehttps://twitter.com/bacigalupe