#23thingsdigital

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Thing 7 - Finding Resources

Find resources on the internet is easy, just type a word into Google and a myriad of information is at your fingertips to sift through.  I have used Google many times and have come to realise that too much is not necessarily a good thing.  Using advanced search, however, enables you to filter your results.  I think the best way to learn this process is to play with it, and of course it becomes easier the more you do it.

I already had an SSKS and Open Athens account created so this made “Thing 7″ relatively straightforward.  I have also completed a degree online and used many libraries and searches to find information.  I think I have said this in a previous blog, the difficulty for me is staying focused as I tend to find things of interest and go of on a million different tangents.

For this exercise I searched for aggression in childrens residential and came up with Client Violence Against Youth Care Workers: Findings of an Exploratory Study of Workforce Issues in Residential Treatment.  I chose to read this one as it was up to date and seemed relevant.  Of course anything in this field is relevant as I work in Childrens Residential and all learning is good in my book.  On Google I did a different search regarding relationships in childrens residential and this was one of the first pages I found Attachment Theory and Residential Treatment:A Study of Staff -Client Relationships.  Again this is totally relevant to my field of work.  This was a great read and I found it really easy to relate with what was being said. 

I  am aware that for academic writing you need to select accurate information and this may not necessarily be what you find in a quick Google search, however, it does provide links to information.  For the above resource if I wanted to use it in a piece of writing I would look for it from a relevant published book or journal, where I could be more confident of its academic credibility.

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Thing 16 - Learning Digitally

I think I have found this one of the easiest badges to complete.  I have complete a six year part-time online degree course through UHI which was all online with no physical class attendance other than for exams. 

I think the biggest attribute to my success was motivation.  I was completely focused on the end goal as I had wanted to do it for such a long time.  After the initial first poor grade essay, I only improved and consistently got grades I was happy with.  The confidence came in bursts, with the first A came a huge burst of motivation and confidence.  Another huge factor in maintaining the self confidence was probably the anonymity of it all.  I never met a tutor or other student face to face which made it easier not to fear failure I think.  Of course it was not always plain sailing and at times it was difficult and I would have gladly been in a classroom with others to debate things with.  I think this is the only thing I missed, a good conversation in the presence of other people.  Contradictory views, I know, but for the most part I like being able to work at my own pace with all resources electronicaly/digitally (not sure what the difference is - that will be a Google search for later) available.  The only downside to this is of course information overload and the distraction of finding information which leads you on another information trail to satisfy your curiousity or is it learning?

Collaboration was probably an area I didn’t enjoy as the conversation was sometimes hard to read and it felt like you  were not being listened to; misunderstood or criticised.  I am sure that in a face to face conversation the social cues, body language and tone of voice would have made this interpretation inaccurate.  However, we managed to get through the group work and I guess that shows that collaboration is achievable, however difficult it may seem at the time.  Working with others is a skill and I find that as the years pass this is something I have understood more and more.  It does not necessarily make it easier but I can recognise the individuality of others and try to respect this.

I have been using digital technology it seems like forever, I am not scared to give anything a go and in a past life used to administer a computer network. Although that is a distant memory I am sure it boosted my confidence for dealing with new advances as they became available.  I, of course, am aware there is stil much out there I have never looked at or touched on and therefore, much more I can learn.

Working through 23things digital is an opportunity to increase my knowledge in a user friendly format, at my own pace and when my motivation kicks in. 

The SSSC badges have also been promoted in a staff meeting and I was ecnouraged to join the Aspiring Leaders course which I throgoughly enjoyed.  I think my organisation could probably do more to promote the use of SSSC badges, I feel at the moment it is down to individual motivation as it has not been mentioned again.  But then I guess that clearly shows the motivation of the individual.

I rated myself as high in all areas of the self assessment form.  I think that I have proved myself as a digital learner and I find it relatively easy to get where I want to go.  Finding the motivation for the next thing is my next goal, I have an idea, just not sure I want to make the committment .........yet!

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23 Things Digital

Thing 15: Video chat/webinars

I have experienced video chat such as Facetime and Skype and have found them both to be a good way of communicating especially over a long distance.  I have family in Australia so it is a great way to feel more connected with them.  However, there are sometimes issues with connectivity which makes it  a bit slow or the video function only works on one half of the conversation.  That said I still think that it is great to be able to see family so easily.

The disadvantages apart from poor connection I would suggest would be privacy. There could be opportunities for people to be watching and listening to your conversation that you were unaware of.

I  have also participated in webinars, again there were a few hiccups with the technology but when it worked again it was a good way to communicate as you could see the people and their body language and expressions.  I think that these are as much part of a conversation as the words used.  Also it is good to put a face to the person you are speaking to, especially if you are going to be in contact again.  For me it makes a much better connection with that person and how knowing them just that little bit better by seeing what they look like makes the communication different.

We have also considered using Skype/Face time or another option for absent senior staff during handovers or at times when staff feel that they are really need to be part of a meeting and for whatever reason they can’t be there.  I think this is a great idea as their input is likely to make a valuable contribution to the meeting.  I have downloaded Google handouts and will have a play with this and some colleagues and see what we think.  For a future blog I think

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The MOMO app is available for the AppStore.  It is for Young PEople and also care workers and is another tool to engage with young people.

The app allows communication between a young person and a care worker in a format which may be easier for them to use rather than a face to face conversation.  They can send a message to a worker  and this can be from anywhere and in any setting. 

The idea of the app is to allow children to be heard and listened to, and the message sent through the app can be downloaded as a pdf which means that this is an accurate account from the young person.  The worker is not having to write anything down or their interpretation of what has been said.  Of course the App can be used working alongside young people.

I could go on and explain much more but I will provide you a link which provides more MOMO information but also askes us to become “Unfearties” - what a great word.  Check it out:

https://mindofmyown.org.uk/unfeartie-momo/