Porter Bilger & Associates, LLC - Porter Bilger & Associates

Monday

02Nov2009

Using Technology in Education

Monday, November 2, 2009 at 10:53AM

Almost every day I spend time learning about technology in education online via social networking sites like Classroom 2.0 or through an innovative school I am involved with called Hoosier Academy. I do this for two reasons – (1) This is a passion of mine, and (2) I see the power of online learning everyday because my daughter (who is 7 years old) is lucky enough to attend a school with a significant on-line component.

Technology allows me as a parent to know where my daughter is academically every day. And I mean everyday! I know whether she mastered adding 3-digit numbers or the lesson on the Trojan War. I not only know the questions in which the teacher will be asking my daughter today as she goes through various lessons – I know why she is asking those questions.

Technology has enabled me as a parent to know what is going on in the world of education, as well as what my daughter is learning today – and did she master it.

Technology and social media also allows me to participate in live conversations with individuals from Australia, India, California, China, etc. through on-line meeting platforms like Elluminate and social networking groups like Classroom 2.0. We share the latest research, tool and best practice which can be utilized in the classroom or at home. And by the way, I don't pay a dime for this.

My eyes have been open to the possibilities. I realize that most parents are not able to know where their child is academically everyday. But they can and they should. However, more parents and teachers need to be aware of the possibilities technology can bring to education. However, it is not just about having more computers or a “smartboard” in the classroom – it is about how we use technology and how we can learn from others to improve. It is about aligning the child, parent, teacher, principal, and school system to success.

My challenge to the education community is to leverage the online world to align what every child needs to learn every day to each child’s team (parent, teacher, etc.). This focus will give rise to more higher achievers in the classroom, and improve the world we live in.

The world is changing through technology… Let’s use technology to change the world!

Stacie Porter Bilger |

Characteristics of an Effective Team

Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 6:10PM

Talent. Talent. Talent. No mater what type of organization you have – it all comes down to people. And in today’s world, the people around you need to be more entrepreneurial, innovative, and adaptive to change. While working with Start-up companies the last 5-years, our team saw clear characteristics which always put a company or organization over the top. These characteristics included:

Creators - the ability to forge a path and develop the process vs. following one.
Flexibility – the wiliness to quickly adapt and change course as needed.
Passion – a deep respect and passion for the pain and/or problem they are trying to solve.
Broad business experience – individuals who are good generalist, worked in an entrepreneurial environment, as well as in different types of organizations.
Rapid assessment skills - the ability to sort thru information, experiences and data points, understanding a situation, business, or organization quickly.
Highly developed communication skills- vital skills to get the support, cooperation, and compliance of clients, members and/or various personalities.

When building a team, coalition, or a group of advisors – look for these characteristics. This is a time for all effective organizations to be surrounded by entrepreneurial talent who have these experiences and traits.

Stacie Porter Bilger |