Unfortunately I'm way behind with this assignment as I've been unwell for the past couple of months, but I'm on the case again now and have been doing lots of reading around Web 2.0 technology.
Initially, I found this module quite disjointed: Excel / Access were taught by one tutor and Web 2.0 by another. The tutors were teaching quite different subjects in very different ways, and I found it hard to put the two topics together as one whole.
Having done more preparation for this assignment, I can now see how the two might link together. I occasionally have to produce reports for work, and can see that being able to collate data in a spreadsheet or database could support that.
I had never considered 'social media' packages as valid workplace tools before starting this assignment. I have had to think more laterally about how I communicate with my colleagues and have had discussions at work about introducing a wiki for the administrators to use when collaborating on projects. Unfortunately, I am employed by two public service organisations, both of whom have rigid policies regarding the use of technology in the workplace, and it may be a lengthy process to get approval.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Monday, 1 March 2010
Aha!
Of course the other big plus with Google Docs is that as it's web-based it can be accessed from any computer. That will be a great selling point when I'm trying to sell it to my manager - AES staff work on different networks which don't communicate, and we generally have to resort to emails. We are also geographically separate, so Google Docs and Google spreadsheets could be a major help.
I'm focusing my report on making communication between the administrators more efficient, but find I keep thinking of all the other ways that technology could be used to improve working practices at AES. Lets hope my enthusiasm continues once the module is over!
I'm focusing my report on making communication between the administrators more efficient, but find I keep thinking of all the other ways that technology could be used to improve working practices at AES. Lets hope my enthusiasm continues once the module is over!
Confidentiality
I'm having trouble finding a way to get round the confidentiality issue. Much of my role involves dealing with client information, which has to remain within the security of the council and PCT firewalls. I am going to be creating the first AES Newsletter shortly though, and have been considering the use of internet technology. There won't be any confidential information in the newsletter, which gives me more scope. Staff across the county will be asked to contribute articles and updates, so Google Docs might prove a very useful collaborative tool.
Plodding on
Hi all
Seems like ages since I last saw you. I'm struggling onwards with the assignment, but finding it a bit tricky having missed a session. I've appreciated the updates from Maggie, and have found it really helpful to read your blogs and see what you've decided to report on.
Seems like ages since I last saw you. I'm struggling onwards with the assignment, but finding it a bit tricky having missed a session. I've appreciated the updates from Maggie, and have found it really helpful to read your blogs and see what you've decided to report on.
Monday, 8 February 2010
Mon 8 Feb 2010
We've spent some of this evening brushing up on Harvard referencing, which turned out to be quite reassuring! I do need to speak to the tutor directly if I get marked down on my next assignment, and find out exactly where I'm going wrong.
I'm finding the Integrated Reports module really useful. It's making me think more widely about all the technology available to me and how I might be able to use it at work. I'm restricted to a certain extent by the PCT and OCC regulations and their corporate in-house software. I'm trying to find out a little bit more about Sharepoint - as I understand it, it's like Google Docs, but can only be access within my own organisation? The cost could be the biggest stumbling block here though. I'm not sure the PCT or OCC would want to pay for the number of licences we would need. Shame, because I think it might work quite well - OCC and PCT are two very different organisations with entirely separate IT networks. The teams are also spread across the West of Oxfordshire, and it would be great to have one place to collaborate with colleagues without dozens of emails flying about.
I'm also thinking about setting up a Wiki for the administrators to use. If we can't have Sharepoint, than Google Docs would be a handy place to collaborate on on non-confidential items. We often seem to end up with several different copies of the same document, and invariably they differ a little.
I'm finding the Integrated Reports module really useful. It's making me think more widely about all the technology available to me and how I might be able to use it at work. I'm restricted to a certain extent by the PCT and OCC regulations and their corporate in-house software. I'm trying to find out a little bit more about Sharepoint - as I understand it, it's like Google Docs, but can only be access within my own organisation? The cost could be the biggest stumbling block here though. I'm not sure the PCT or OCC would want to pay for the number of licences we would need. Shame, because I think it might work quite well - OCC and PCT are two very different organisations with entirely separate IT networks. The teams are also spread across the West of Oxfordshire, and it would be great to have one place to collaborate with colleagues without dozens of emails flying about.
I'm also thinking about setting up a Wiki for the administrators to use. If we can't have Sharepoint, than Google Docs would be a handy place to collaborate on on non-confidential items. We often seem to end up with several different copies of the same document, and invariably they differ a little.
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