As
I reflect back on this course, I clearly remember the first week. I was honestly a bit nervous to develop
a blog for class, especially with the possibility of anyone, anywhere reading
about me. I have thoroughly
enjoyed the experience, and am glad that I was able to leave my comfort zone
and try something different. My
husband and I had moved to northern Alaska for a year, and I attempted a blog
for that experience.
Unfortunately, I was unable to keep up with the posts, and did not have
very many followers. I enjoy
following several blogs, and I have a few friends that have been successful in
their blogging attempts. I enjoy
reading their family stories and latest adventures. Through this course, I felt as though I was following many
of my classmates in their own journey in leadership and technology.
Technology
is now an integral component of organizations and leadership today. As our readings explained, the world is
not perfectly flat, but we are moving closer to a flat world everyday (Friedman,
2007). As members of an online
degree program, we have first-hand experience with the flattening of the
world. Our courses allow us to
interact with other students from all over the world, at all hours of the day
and night. Without technology, I
would have had a much more difficult time earning my doctoral degree. Online courses allow me to spend time
with my small children while working a full-time job. I cannot even imagine trying to carve out specific times to
be in a classroom to earn my degree!
Jon Husband elaborates on the connections created online, utilizing the
term wirearchy. He explained, “wirearchy
is about the power and effectiveness of people working together through
connection and collaboration” (http://wirearchy.com/what-is-wirearchy/). This statement explains how technology
connects all of us. We are able to
collaborate and work together through various means of communication, all made
possible by the latest advances in technology.
The
Technology and Leadership course has demonstrated that technology is not always
obvious. Leaders must stay ahead
of the emerging technology trends in order to find and utilize technologies
that will be beneficial for the organization. Each new technology has its benefits and its
weaknesses. As leaders, we must
maximize the benefits of new technology while developing ways to minimize the
weaknesses. Gartner (2010)
explained that technology connects us in many ways that were not possible
before these innovations occurred.
Information is being shared almost immediately, whether through formal
work groups or informal social networks.
Leaders must realize the transparency of their organization and work to
utilize these groups to their advantage.
I
have enjoyed reading my classmates’ research through their blogs on the latest
technology and trends in education and other organizations. Over the course of this term, I have
utilized many new technologies that I had not even thought to use in my
classroom and in collaboration with my colleagues. Thank you to all of you for sharing your experiences! Good luck on your future technology
adventures!
Friedman, T. L. (2007). The World is Flat. New York: Picador.
Gartner,
Inc. (2010, August 4). Gartner says the world of work will witness 10 changes
during the next 10 years. Retrieved from: http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/1416513
Husband,
J. (2013, February 18). What is Wirearchy? [Beb log comment]. Retrieved from: http://wirearchy.com/what-is-wirearchy/
Glad you enjoyed the blogging...and best of luck in the future. Technology is becoming ubiquitous as you note, but as Mary noted in her blog, we leaders still need to be the drivers ... and not let technology drive us. Given that, these are exciting times to be in education!
ReplyDeleteThrough blogging, I have gained meaningful insight on several levels for leadership and technology. Technology and especially this program have allowed me to begin the journey to fulfill a lifelong dream of earning my doctorate. Like you, I never would have been able to carve out time to attend traditional face-to-face courses-nor would I want to. This experience is so much better! I agree with you that leaders must maximize the benefit of technology and minimize the disadvantages. Although an astounding number of useful technologies exist, several can just lead down the rabbit hole.
ReplyDeleteLeadership and technology are wedded, and it is the duty of leaders to keep current and be aware of any emerging technology trends. I think that Dixon (2010) did a fine job of explaining the three different eras and how leaders can effectively leverage technology through social networks, cognitive diversity, and other tools to create innovation. Jon Husband’s (2013) notion of wirearchy involving interconnectedness, collaboration, knowledge management, and champion-and-channel are indeed key elements of a modern hyperconnected workplace. The work of Gartner, Inc (2010) was beneficial to explain the ten different changes that might occur or are currently in the workplace such as work swarms, working with the collective, work sketch-ups, hyperconnected, and my place. Some of those changes are wildly successful and we are just beginning to understand their full potential. Others like being hyperconnected and a virtual workplace raise some questions for leaders and the workforce. How do you manage the new complexity of always being connected? Leaders must make sense of the scope of connectedness, sharing of information, collaboration, and how to use technology makes everything we do more transparent, which increases the need for leaders to listen deeply and communicate more effectively (Husband, 2013).
Thank you for your thoughts! You are correct, successful leaders must "listen deeply and communicate more effectively!" In my opinion, this change in leadership caused by technology will have a positive impact on organizations.
DeleteSorry, I forgot my works cited!
ReplyDeleteThrough blogging, I have gained meaningful insight on several levels for leadership and technology. Technology and especially this program have allowed me to begin the journey to fulfill a lifelong dream of earning my doctorate. Like you, I never would have been able to carve out time to attend traditional face-to-face courses-nor would I want to. This experience is so much better! I agree with you that leaders must maximize the benefit of technology and minimize the disadvantages. Although an astounding number of useful technologies exist, several can just lead down the rabbit hole.
Leadership and technology are wedded, and it is the duty of leaders to keep current and be aware of any emerging technology trends. I think that Dixon (2010) did a fine job of explaining the three different eras and how leaders can effectively leverage technology through social networks, cognitive diversity, and other tools to create innovation. Jon Husband’s (2013) notion of wirearchy involving interconnectedness, collaboration, knowledge management, and champion-and-channel are indeed key elements of a modern hyperconnected workplace. The work of Gartner, Inc (2010) was beneficial to explain the ten different changes that might occur or are currently in the workplace such as work swarms, working with the collective, work sketch-ups, hyperconnected, and my place. Some of those changes are wildly successful and we a just beginning to understand their full potential. Others like being hyperconnected and a virtual workplace raise some questions for leaders and the workforce. How do you manage the new complexity of always being connected? Leaders must make sense of the scope of connectedness, sharing of information, collaboration, and how to use technology makes everything we do more transparent, which increases the need for leaders to listen deeply and communicate more effectively (Husband, 2013).
Works Cited
Dixon, N. (2010, August 1). The Three Eras of Knowledge Management-Summary. Retrieved June 18, 2013, from Conversation Matters: http://www.nancydixonblog.com/2010/08/the-three-eras-of-knowledge-management-summary.html
Gartner, Inc. (2010, August 4). Gartner Says the World of Work Will Witness 10 Changes During the Next 10 Years. Retrieved June 18, 2013, from Gartner, Inc.: http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/1416513
Husband, J. (2013, February 18). What is Wirearchy? Retrieved June 19, 2013, from Wirearchy: http://wirearchy.com/what-is-wirearchy/
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI agree that technology has the revolutionary capability to connect everyone. Many people would submit that it already has. The fact that we are able to collaborate from anywhere at anytime in real time (or near real time), has changed the way we play the game in our personal and professional lives.
I also agree with your evaluation that leaders must remain mindful of the ever changing organizational landscape and remain cognizant of how technological advancements alter the way business is conducted. We have an opportunity to leverage technology to maximize utility and create sustainable solutions in disparate industries. Enhanced information and communication technologies have broken down hierarchical barriers and created varied avenues for social learning and the potential to leverage networked intelligence. As we move forward, staying connected to technology (when appropriate) and interacting with others will prove most beneficial as we attempt to offer products and services that create enduring value.
~ Disciple of Experience