Discussion

For those of you following my blog, I will be posting one post every weekday throughout the month of August.  One of my colleagues here at Penn State stated that he was going to do this and asked who was interested in joining and it turns out that a bunch of us were interested!

So, every weekday in August there will be a blog post from me – hopefully all worth reading.

Today’s topic is “Discussion”.

There are a lot of people discussing the same things related to social networking, social media and education these days, it seems. Everywhere I turn I see another paper, blog post or conversation all following these same ideas.  Sometimes it catches me by surprise when I see a post from someone that’s related to something that we’ve been discussing here on campus. I guess sometimes I forget that we don’t live in our little vacuum and things we’re talking about are things that are being talked about all over the world really.

And that’s the point.

Social media *IS* a discussion and it’s a discussion around a million different topics with a million different viewpoints, experiences and perspectives from a blajillion different people.  Not one of these viewpoints is better or more important than the other, and without all of them then there’s no discussion at all because it becomes a lecture.  When I was in college, ‘lecture’ was the thing to do.  To be taught  we had to sit down, shut up, take notes in our notebook and then spit that all back out on test day.  Did I learn anything? Eh, maybe.. but I certainly wasn’t passionate about it.

I don’t know about all of you, but I’ve learned more through technology, connections and discussions than I’ve learned at any conference, seminar or in any classroom. Why? Because it’s a discussion, not a lecture.  When I can participate, ask questions, have my eyes opened and see things differently – not only have I learned something, but I’ve changed my perceptions. I’ve changed who I am as a person every single time that happens.

That’s powerful stuff right there.

The Magical Moment of Innovation

I love my job. I am so thankful that I’m able to say that and mean it. I have a job that allows encourages me to connect with others, learn new things and explore new technologies. At this point in my life, I couldn’t ask for much more.  I am also lucky enough to work for an organization that values innovation. We have initiatives aimed at promoting innovation, meetings and exercises to encourage us to think differently, and are frequently told how important innovation is to our organization.

At times I do feel like they’re preaching to the choir, because I know all those things are incredibly valuable and I certainly agree with the importance of being innovative.  I do wonder, however, how much of this is getting through to the people that don’t already know how important and exciting new technologies are.

I’ve been having to take a step back recently and remind myself that when I’m feeling like something is old and something everyone does.. some people have still never heard of it or have no idea that it exists.  That puts me in a tricky situation of feeling like innovation is passing us by while I’m still trying to teach people what a blog is.

I’ve been discussing with my colleagues about new ideas, using technology, and the power of community lately. We’re examining new ways of using blogs and e-portfolios, we’re talking about “open” resources, social responsibility and how to promote change.  These are all things that I am incredibly passionate about and to me they all seem like such logical things to do that I can’t understand why anyone would *not* want to do these things. And then I remember. I take that step back.

In my mind, it’s not that people don’t *want* to do these things, it’s that they don’t know how, or don’t understand the power in the tool.  If we all teach someone – one person – how these tools can make a difference in their life then we’ve taken a step.  If we all share our own personal stories, then we’re building a bridge.  If we all invite this person into our community then we’ve opened their eyes.

Innovation is about opening our eyes. Looking at things around us and being aware of how things are changing. Thinking differently about how we do things, and listening to others share their experiences.  Innovation is collaboration and collaboration is community.

Innovation = Community.  Be a part.