During our CPD23 experience we've been exposed to a number of applications and websites that can improve our online professional image, and help us create teaching demonstrations.
I found the "Thing" on branding very helpful and have cleaned up a couple of my profiles on various social sites. As a result, I started a professional Twitter presence and made some changes in the professional presence on facebook. I really like the examples of LinkedIn profiles that were posted, and I plan to re-vamp my profile in a couple of weeks.
I was already familiar with several of the tools such as dropbox, google docs, and audacity, but some new tools that I want to investigate are Mendeley and Jing.
I appreciate the effort to create this professional development series, and congratulate the authors/compilers on a wonderful asset for working library staffers.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
CPD23 - Thing #16 - Advocacy
Omaha Public Library had a wonderful experience two years ago that staved off the threat of staff layoffs and a branch closing.
In our current economic environment, the city government was running several millions of dollars in the red. As a result, all city departments were going to have to cut back drastically. In our case, the library was going to layoff all part-time staff (I don't know how they expected to operate without these workers)and close one branch library.
The area residents living near this branch were very upset to hear that they would lose a vital community resource. At the same time an individual came forward with a "challenge" matching grant offer. If the library could raise $300,000 in one week, the individual would match the money and all library services would be restored.
As one of the laid off workers, I can tell you that I am thankful, AND impressed that the community responded within 3 days to provide all the money for the challenge grant.
These events became such a big news story in Omaha, making all the local TV newscasts and newspapers, that the city government was forced to reevaluate future library budgets, and has not attempted to reduce allotments since.
This is what I call ADVOCACY. The citizens poured out their advocacy for the library in the way of hard currency, and government leaders got the message.
In our current economic environment, the city government was running several millions of dollars in the red. As a result, all city departments were going to have to cut back drastically. In our case, the library was going to layoff all part-time staff (I don't know how they expected to operate without these workers)and close one branch library.
The area residents living near this branch were very upset to hear that they would lose a vital community resource. At the same time an individual came forward with a "challenge" matching grant offer. If the library could raise $300,000 in one week, the individual would match the money and all library services would be restored.
As one of the laid off workers, I can tell you that I am thankful, AND impressed that the community responded within 3 days to provide all the money for the challenge grant.
These events became such a big news story in Omaha, making all the local TV newscasts and newspapers, that the city government was forced to reevaluate future library budgets, and has not attempted to reduce allotments since.
This is what I call ADVOCACY. The citizens poured out their advocacy for the library in the way of hard currency, and government leaders got the message.
CPD23 - Thing #15 - Attending, Presenting, Organizing Conferences
In my music profession I've attended and presented at several conferences, and as a member of the NMEA executive board I've helped organize clincis and meetings for my area. I liked the statement about "being inspired" by something at the conference. I remember convention concerts that I've attended that have moved and inspired me. These sessions expand your understanding beyond the walls of your present conceptual box.
What advice would you give to others, based on your experiences?
Pre-plan which sessions you want to attend so that you don't miss the one event that you need the most. But, don't worry about attending every session on your list. Networking with people is an important facet of attending conferences. You'll get to visit with friends you haven't seen since last year's event, and you'll meet new people that can expand your present circle.
Are there conferences you’d like to attend?
I'd like to attend more Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinics, CBDNA conferences, and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. Mid-West is THE conference of the year for band director at all levels. You always hear new music and wonderful performances by DC based service bands and outstanding college and high school bands. Great networking, too.
CBDNA is where I go to get musically challenged by new music written for advanced university and professional wind bands. Many times I don't hear music that I owuld ever program, but my consciousness is always expanded, and so I'm a better musician for experiencing the unfamiliar. WASBE pulls the best of CBDNA together with directors and ensembles from all over the globe. There are incredible performances, and exposure to the musical styles of different countries.
What advice would you give to others, based on your experiences?
Pre-plan which sessions you want to attend so that you don't miss the one event that you need the most. But, don't worry about attending every session on your list. Networking with people is an important facet of attending conferences. You'll get to visit with friends you haven't seen since last year's event, and you'll meet new people that can expand your present circle.
Are there conferences you’d like to attend?
I'd like to attend more Mid-West International Band & Orchestra Clinics, CBDNA conferences, and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. Mid-West is THE conference of the year for band director at all levels. You always hear new music and wonderful performances by DC based service bands and outstanding college and high school bands. Great networking, too.
CBDNA is where I go to get musically challenged by new music written for advanced university and professional wind bands. Many times I don't hear music that I owuld ever program, but my consciousness is always expanded, and so I'm a better musician for experiencing the unfamiliar. WASBE pulls the best of CBDNA together with directors and ensembles from all over the globe. There are incredible performances, and exposure to the musical styles of different countries.
Monday, September 12, 2011
CPD23 - Thing #14 - Academic Reference Aids
Thing #14 asked us to investigate Zotero, Mendeley, and citeulike. Zotero, a FireFox browser plugin makes it easy to assemble bibliographic citations in text or in a reference list. This is very helpful for those writing academic papers. Unfortunately, you must use FireFox in order to take advantage of Zotero. Were I to embark on an academic projectg requiring footnotes and reference lists I would seriously look at using FireFox so that I use Zotero.
citeulike also works to create bibliographic citations from website, online documents, and papers. The video presentation wasn't too inspiring and the product didn't seem to fit my need.
However, I found Mendeley very interesting. The product allows you to access academic papers on the web, to form groups around specified research fields, and to access your saved documents from Mac, Windows, or iOS devices. I signed up for a free account and began playing with the app. I found some papers in my field and saved them to my library. I looked for groups in my field (wind band conducting), but wasn't surprised to find none. I allowed the app to search my email contacts for others using Mendeley, but there were none. So, I haven't yet found a group with similar interests. I'll keep looking after I download the iOS apps and the Mac desktop app.
citeulike also works to create bibliographic citations from website, online documents, and papers. The video presentation wasn't too inspiring and the product didn't seem to fit my need.
However, I found Mendeley very interesting. The product allows you to access academic papers on the web, to form groups around specified research fields, and to access your saved documents from Mac, Windows, or iOS devices. I signed up for a free account and began playing with the app. I found some papers in my field and saved them to my library. I looked for groups in my field (wind band conducting), but wasn't surprised to find none. I allowed the app to search my email contacts for others using Mendeley, but there were none. So, I haven't yet found a group with similar interests. I'll keep looking after I download the iOS apps and the Mac desktop app.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
CPD23 - Thing #13 - Google Docs, Wikis, and Dropbox
I began using Google Docs in 2007 when I began working on multiple computers at multiple locations. The ability to save and share documents, and have immediate access was of prime importance. On my Google Doc page I have shared photos and records with my son who lives in Virginia. Expanding the Docs page to Google Sites allows for a wiki-like creating/sharing experience. For a community workspace for the board of my adult band I created a Google Site with separate pages for each of our projects. When writing our group's constitution and bylaws we used the site to edit and share various versions of the document. Pretty cool!
Also in 2007 I began using Delicious to bookmark all the webpages I regularly visited and new ones I was saving for a class i was taking. That site worked very well and I could access it on multiple computers. But, I needed to sync documents and other files, and Delicious wasn't as good for that. So, I began using dropbox in 2010 and have installed it on work and home computers and my portable devices as well. I really like it because it will sync the Microsoft Office files that I regularly work with.
I'm glad to hear about Dropbox's sharing abilities and will try using them with my adult band.
Also in 2007 I began using Delicious to bookmark all the webpages I regularly visited and new ones I was saving for a class i was taking. That site worked very well and I could access it on multiple computers. But, I needed to sync documents and other files, and Delicious wasn't as good for that. So, I began using dropbox in 2010 and have installed it on work and home computers and my portable devices as well. I really like it because it will sync the Microsoft Office files that I regularly work with.
I'm glad to hear about Dropbox's sharing abilities and will try using them with my adult band.
CPD23 - Thing #12 - Social Networking
I've participated in social networking since 2007 and regularly use facebook and twitter. I have a Google+ account, but so far don't like it much. I also have a LinkedIn account. On facebook I belong to several social groups in addition to my friends, and some of these are professional groups aimed at mentoring.
One of these networks is for music teachers within our state. This network is working pretty well as both new and experienced music teachers ask and answer questions. It really helps to have a wonderful moderator who is positive and encouraging.
The advantage of this kind of network is that individuals can ask professional questions anytime during their day and get responses within minutes or hours. Some of the posters teach in small and isolated communities where physical mentors may not be readily available, and where they may be the only one teaching their subject in the district. Now they have a place to go and ask questions.
CPD23 hasn't helped me to make contact with others, and perhaps that's because I didn't reach out. Being a fairly quiet guy I have a hard time typing out to the cloud and trying to engage people that I don't know anything about. So, I think fostering a sense of community may depend on the individual.
One of these networks is for music teachers within our state. This network is working pretty well as both new and experienced music teachers ask and answer questions. It really helps to have a wonderful moderator who is positive and encouraging.
The advantage of this kind of network is that individuals can ask professional questions anytime during their day and get responses within minutes or hours. Some of the posters teach in small and isolated communities where physical mentors may not be readily available, and where they may be the only one teaching their subject in the district. Now they have a place to go and ask questions.
CPD23 hasn't helped me to make contact with others, and perhaps that's because I didn't reach out. Being a fairly quiet guy I have a hard time typing out to the cloud and trying to engage people that I don't know anything about. So, I think fostering a sense of community may depend on the individual.
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