As people look to the internet to help them find jobs, connect with people, and stay organized, there are several routes they can travel. Here are a few of my basic views on routes you can go.
Pro's & Cons - Personal Website + You decide how you want it to look & what information it contains. + There are many options for creating a personal website that are available for free. + You can put out what ever content you like. - You don't know who your audience will be (it's open to anyone to view your information). - Can be expensive to upgrade to more services. - Must keep the site current to be relevant. People don't want to view out-dated websites. Pro's & Con's: Plaxo + Organize ALL of your contacts (from all of your online directories) + Accessible from anywhere + Updates information automatically - If someone has your password, they could gain access to ALL of your contacts - There is a basic model, but advanced versions are pretty expensive - According to reports, there is a steep learning curve for figuring out how to use the site Pro's & Con's: LinkedIn + Potential to gain access to more people online + A site to find a new job, employees, or potential clients + Reconnect with friends & people you have worked with in the past - Spend a lot of time setting it up and maintaining it (staying current) - Does cost money to upgrade or see certain features and information - Might have people 'following' you who could possibly be harmful to your reputation When choosing to utilize different sites or apps to assist you in your life, you just have to do some research and understand what you are getting in to. You don't want to have a bunch of people 'following' you on your site who may negatively affect your customer base or chances of getting hired. You need to be careful what information you post and know who has access to the information. Make it a Great Day! DG Professional networking is vital to growth as a teacher and coach. Seeing what others are doing in their programs, debating and discussing best practices, and collaborating with each other are just some of the things we have to do in order to stay on top of the current trends. Having a network to fall back on, both locally and nationally, can be a huge benefit to that.
Many of the college football coaches who are hired across the country get those jobs because of where they have been and who they know. So instead of going out and signing up for all these resume-type websites and hoping to get yourself noticed, I would first go to the teachers, administrators and coaches that I know and have worked with during my career. Whether I am looking for assistance or ideas, or looking for a new job, I feel this is a good place to begin. Next, one has to get out and get noticed. It's tough to build a network if you never leave your school or community. Attend coaching & teaching conferences. And don't sit in the back! I know I am not the most outgoing person, so I have to force myself to sit up front, introduce myself to people, and mingle during down time. This is also a great opportunity to be a presenter. Then people will want to come talk with YOU and you can add them to your professional network! Then you want to socialize - online. Facebook and Twitter are known as social sites, but they are also a great place to interact with teachers and coaches from around the world! Many relationships have developed online, both personal and professional. There are many opportunities to be a part of webinars or web chats in your content area. While I'm not really a fan of sites such as LinkedIn, it may also be a good place to interact and grow your network. I also think it is very important to keep yourself organized. Know what paperwork you have submitted (if applying for jobs) and keep track of any workshops, trainings, or certifications you get. Update your resume and other information regularly, so if an opportunity does arise, you are ready for it. I know we've had two P.E. openings in the past four years and have had over 100 applicants for each position! Being up-to-date and ready can make a big difference. Finally, I know this may sound harsh, but I think it's important to take care of yourself. This may not directly affect your professional networking, but I think it plays an indirect role. As a physical education teacher and football coach, I believe I should look the part. I need to be the living, breathing example. How could I expect a potential employer (or student for that matter) to take me seriously if I am an overweight slob. There are many different thoughts out there when it comes to developing your professional network. These are just a few of mine. In the end, I believe the human interaction piece is still the best route to go, while using technology as a way to enhance what you are doing. So then... get out there and mingle! Make it a Great Day! DG Interesting reads about Wiki's. Again, another piece of work I've heard about but haven't paid much attention to. Back in the day the word on the street was not to trust Wikipedia! I think their story and their growth is a pretty cool one. It really shows what you can do with a great imagination!
Using Wiki's in education could be an OK thing! Students could work together on a project and not have to gather and meet. They would be able to collaborate from their own homes and know what was going on. Throw in a Facetime or Skype chat and you might as well all be gathered at the local library! I could really see that being beneficial in my wellness class, which consists of mostly freshman and sophomore students who aren't old enough to drive somewhere to meet. I think it would be a great way to collaborate as a entire staff or just a single department. With everyone coaching and participating in different committees, it can be difficult to find times to meet. This allows everyone a chance to take part during their own time. I am currently participating in one that is linked across the state of Wyoming. A coach on our staff is battling cancer and our football staff, along with others at the University of Wyoming, are collaborating together to form a statewide fundraiser to help offset medical costs. Throughout the process, it has been awesome to see it come together and watch people from several different communities work and update the information. Make it a Great Day! DG |