Porter Bilger & Associates

Using Technology in Education

2009-11-02T15:53:08Z

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!

Characteristics of an Effective Team

2009-10-13T22:10:41Z

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.

Lessons From Pro Golfers

2009-10-07T01:50:30Z

I’m not talking about improving your slice or putting stroke. I’m talking about the way tour golfers do business. Tour golfers are persistent, dedicated, hard-working, very disciplined, and know that the buck stops with them.

Tour golfers have an incredible knack for persisting without exception. When the ball finds the water, they drop another ball and move on. If they don’t, you can be sure it will not be their week.
They practice every shot thousands of times. Research tells us that you will only be great at something if you spend at least 10,000 hours on that subject or task. You can be sure they have met that requirement.
No one tells them to go practice. They are out on the course by themselves. They know what it takes. It takes discipline to work at the game everyday.
They know that they are totally responsible for their past, present, and future.

There’s no multi-million dollar contract. There may be a pot of gold at the end of the tunnel, but only if they follow the above golf rules.

So, if you need a lesson, just go to the Golf Channel and see some great lessons on life and work.

Look Outside

2009-09-29T22:43:04Z

I was having coffee with someone the other day and our conversation began to focus on the fact that companies and non-profits in our region of the country are reluctant to engage talent outside their organization. The conversation turned to the fact that there seems to be a mentality within several organizations that “we can do it ourselves.” Is this a financial issue? Is this a control issue? Or is it a trust issue?

Financially, outsourcing has proven to be cheaper in most cases. So, is it a control or trust issue? Maybe. The bottom-line though, is that outsourcing enables organizations to tap into talent you may not be able to otherwise afford. In addition, outsourcing often results in bringing expertise and innovation into your organization.

As a starting point, you should consider outsourcing if a task is:

repetitive (HR services, accounting, etc),
requires an expertise you don’t have on staff,
project based, or
requires a lot of time away from your core business.

So, look outside. The sun will shine on some amazing talent.

Photo provided by www.FreeFoto.com

Challenging All Non-Profits

2009-09-21T01:10:51Z

I’m a fan of Seth Godin, author of many business books. To those following new media and marketing, he is the one to follow. I can’t recommend enough his recent book “Meatball Sundae.” It is a must read!!

In a recent blog “The Problem with Non,” Seth was very critical of nonprofits and their unwillingness to take advantage of new media. These web tools are available to all for minimal cost or even free. Money and lack of resources are not excuses that justify passing up the new communication vehicles that exist today on the internet. These tools can engage volunteers in new ways. They can raise money in new ways. They can offer innovative collaborative opportunities…

Not only is marketing changing - Philanthropy is changing. Volunteer engagement is changing.

So, this is a challenge to all non-profits – it is time to get on board and jump into the new media world. As Seth states, “the people who work for nonprofits are too talented to waste this opportunity because they are paralyzed in fear.”

Tips for the Grassroots Leader

2009-09-15T14:44:24Z

Grassroots, by definition, is “an organized effort by an organization to recruit and deploy political power from constituencies.” Simply, grassroots demonstrates that people care enough about an issue to do something about it – contacting a legislator directly, writing personal letters, testifying in a public hearing, etc.

This is how people used to do it. And although some still use these traditional grassroots tools, many motivated advocates have stepped up their efforts - creating online groups with thousands of members, writing blogs, sharing their comments on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Digg, Delicious, Technorati, etc… In an instant, the gateways open and anyone who cares is jumping into the conversation.

Think Like Jane Addams

2009-09-09T18:31:11Z

Jane Addams, 1934, Photo Credits: University of Illinois at Chicago, University Library, Department of Special Collections, Jane Addams Memorial Collection Ok... Who is Jane Addams? If you know your history, you would know that she knew something about how to build and support a community. Jane was the first women in America to get a Noble Peace Prize and for good reason.

In 1889, Jane Addams founded the Hull House, the first “settlement house” in the United States. These types of “houses” were designed to build an interdependent community between the poor and rich classes. At its peak, the Hull House was visited each week by roughly 2000 people from a mix of all types of ethnic groups.

Jane was passionate about sharing knowledge, helping her neighbors, and “aiding in the solutions of life…” Her principles were to “live in the community as an equal participant in the local issues of the day” and to “believe in the fundamental dignity of all individuals and accord every person with equal respect regardless of their ethnic origins, gender, age, etc.”

So, think and be like Jane Adams. You don’t have to build or buy a house. You just need to build and/or participate in a community. You can lend a hand in your neighborhood or you could build a community on the web. We have wonderful tools on the web to bring people together from all over the world to help with the ‘issue of the day.”

Taste Some New Cheese

2009-08-30T14:53:32Z

Have you read “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson? If you haven’t or if it has been a while, it is time to pick up the book. It is a parable of two mice (Sniff and Scurry) and two little people (Hem and Haw) who live in a “maze.” In this “maze,” this foursome are always looking for what they want – “Cheese.” But of course, unexpected change happens, and some deal with change better then the others.

It is a quick (about an hour) and an enlightening read on how to deal with change.

The rate of change in the technology world is rapid. The use and development of on-line social software, community platforms, and other emerging web technologies is growing by the minute.

We are all a little fearful of how to jump into this maze. But there is no question, you need to jump in. You can learn a lot from Hem, Haw, Sniff and Scurry. Spencer Johnson does a fabulous job putting the “handwriting on the wall” on the reality of change - it happens, you need to anticipate it, monitor it, adapt quickly, change, enjoy it, and be ready to change quickly and enjoy it again and again.

Because the “Cheese” is always moving!

(Click on the picture to view a creative video by Vanhorn Group about "Who Moved My Cheese.")

Gain High Quality Feedback

2009-08-24T01:04:59Z

It has never been possible or available to the common business professional to stay on top of trends, resources, and their clients needs without investing thousands of dollars on focus groups. The communication tools available through the web provide businesses with quick, instant connections and information. Several web services offer opportunities for customers to vote on the latest product release or product problem, share comments, and see the latest changes based on their recommendations.

Check out what Dell has done with “Idea Storm.” Any company or organization can launch a customer feedback platform like Dell.

It's time to get on board and listen. Because in today's world, customers rule.