The web has drastically changed the way
we all do our daily jobs and lead our lives. Like it or not, the change has
made our society work in ways never thought possible. For example, more people
from all over the world are collaborating as a team for projects. Projects that
before would have required team members to be in the same building to complete
them are now being done from across the world via the web. Amazing when you
think about it!
The web allows people to work from home,
on vacation, in a taxi, or on a plane. The ability to share information in real
time is more innovative than ever before. The web levels the playing field in
that the most fitting person for the job can be utilized – whether in the next
office or halfway around the globe (Friedman, 2007). The web and technology
work to link us all together in one place – people from all walks of life can
view the same information at the exact same time.
The impact of the internet on my
workplace is immense – both positively and negatively. The internet is relied
on for both web-enhanced and online courses – through the use of Tegrity (to
record lectures), YouTube videos, or web engine searches for nursing journals
in the classroom. The internet is also utilized to send and receive important
information via email. We also use the social networking site, Facebook, for a
page for our nursing program, Student Nurse Association, and each individual
semester of nursing students.
Many of our faculty who are not open to
change or adapting to new technology are against utilizing Facebook but I would
argue you have to meet the students where they are – and they are on Facebook!
The negative impact of the internet at my workplace is that staff and faculty
regularly play games while others could be drowning in their work. Administrators
are aware of this issue – yet nothing is done to ensure faculty and staff do
not abuse the internet.
Web-based tools can improve
communication in that people from all over the world have a means to send and
receive information like never before – email, Skype, FaceBook, and instant messaging.
These are just a few of the ways communication lines have been adapted to meet
the needs of the people of the world.
Work flow and productivity can be
enhanced by the internet and web-based tools if the job requires these tools.
One way I have seen web-based tools/internet improve workflow in nursing is
through electronic documentation. Charting an assessment in the computer takes
much less time than writing it out by hand – that is, once you have mastered
how to chart in the computer!
The internet has changed us – forever. It
is up to us all to adapt to the changes and let them enhance our work rather
than defining it.
Friedman,
T.L. (2007). The world is flat: A brief
history of the twenty-first century. Farrar, Straus & Girous (Ed.). New
York, NY: Picador.
To: In Search of Magis
ReplyDeleteFrom: NotSocrates
I think it’s interesting that everywhere you go people use the internet to shop, play games and connect while at work. I walk quite fast and as I walk down the hallway passing cube after cube, I can often see person after person clicking off of the site they were on to another site that would be more palatable to management. I am never quite sure what my response should be and most of the time I am so busy I do not have time to address it anyway. I think this is one of the more interesting challenges facing management. How do we keep people focused on the work? And although we all need some down time, how much is too much? I suppose some of this will evolve although I am not quite sure how.
It is interesting that your faculty is not open to adapting, or changing with the new technology. We have similar challenges with large segments of our workforce. I think some of it stems from the fact that for years people have been successful with particular behaviors and technologies. Often they do not see the need to change until it is apparent that if they don’t -- work or time will pass them by. In other words, people seem to think -- I have been successful doing this for years, so why should I change? Our job it seems is to show them that they could be even more successful if they adopt new methodologies, technologies and ways of working.
You have a point when you write about if people have been successful would they even see a need for change. Sure, our faculty overall has been successful, but why shouldn't we try to be even better? Being successful could mean we are in line with the status quo - why not push farther?
DeleteThe faculty I am speaking of in regards to the internet do not even try to hide it - the dean will walk by and they will still play Angry Birds or Solitaire. It amazes me - because I am always so busy I barely have time to check my work email! How much time is too much free time? Interesting question - not sure I have the answer to that. I think if someone is taking a break and part of that break includes a game or an internet search that is acceptable but if every time someone walks by your desk and you are playing a game - that is a red flag that you do not have enough work to do. And I would be more than happy to donate work :)
Sarah -
ReplyDeleteNice post. It's always interesting to me when administration(co-workers) puts up its guard when it comes to utilizing Facebook as a work productivity tool.
I'd be willing to bet more than a healthy majority of those opposing the use of Facebook as a work tool have personal Facebook accounts themselves. Maybe it's privacy concerns, short-sided use of the platform, the inability to think creatively or lack of an innovative spirit...maybe it's a bit of everything.
Internet abuse isn't about the tool itself. It's about the motivation and accountability of the individual online. If this is a real problem/concern in your workplace, administration needs to re-evaluate it's stance. It sounds as if those who are unaccountable not only slow down every-day productivity, and increase the burden for high-performers, but are also stunting the organization's digital growth.
Double-whammy!
As for electronic documentation, your industry has really gone through changes! Look no further than across town at the success Cerner has found in the marketplace.
Take Care.
Josh
Josh,
DeleteCerner has just built a very nice building in the Legends. It is beautiful! What progress we are making in the world of technology in nursing.
You are absolutely right in regards to Facebook - most of those individuals do have personal Facebook pages. These individuals are stunting the organizations digital growth - and as a result the nursing department will always be a step behind other areas of education. Nursing educators tend to stick close to what they have always known - and to have a younger nurse educator like me step onto the scene is a bit intimidating I'm sure.
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteNice post! Also, thank you for mentioning Tegrity because my organization has been researching alternative lecture recording applications. You mentioned an important issue with our increased dependence on technology, distractions. From an organizational leader perspective, in the past we constantly worked to prevent employees from accessing non-work related content during work hours. The most effective method for us was to put in place, attainable yet increasingly challenging goals which naturally caused employees to spend less time being distracted. One could suggest that simply blocking certain websites would be effective, I would disagree. When I worked at a fortune 500 company, websites such as Facebook and YouTube were blocked. Of course this prevented us from accessing these sites and watching the Gangnam style video on company time. However, it also prevented us from gaining access to useful information quicker, such as an instructional videos or reaching out to potential customers via social media.
Your challenge with faculty refusing to utilize Facebook is interesting and I wonder why specifically. Are they thinking that Facebook is not a useful tool? Or are they against social media in general? I think when implementing Facebook or any social network to an organization, there must be a plan in place to be successful. Will the organization utilize Facebook groups to keep in contact with students and clients? Or will it be a fan page? If social media is introduced to a demographic that is not used to the medium, there must be a plan of attack otherwise it will not be utilized.
Adedayo
We have used Facebook as a fan page for our program but a couple semesters ago I started making a first semester Facebook page which the students could then utilize each semester of the program. After a simple name change with each semester change they are all on the same Facebook page together as a class. This allows the students to communicate and stay in touch - let's face it - students are much more apt to check Facebook than to check their school emails. I think we should meet students where they are - and Facebook is where they are at!
DeleteI honestly believe the faculty is against change in general - whether it be in regards to technology, their teaching assignments, or most recently, their desk assignments. My last day at this school was Friday because I needed a change of pace. I need to be somewhere where change is embraced, support is freely given, and my talents are put to use. I am looking forward to a new challenge and a different perspective!
I agree with you...so best wishes in finding a place where your ideas fit!
DeleteAt our campus, our advisors all use Facebook as their primary mechanism for connecting with students...because it works! We have a number of faculty who now set up Facebook group pages for their classes and are encouraged by the use their students put these pages to - in terms of increased activity and thoughtful exploration of resources.
It is good to know I am not alone in using Facebook as a way to stay connected to students! We have to meet them where they are - and they are much more likely to visit Facebook than even their college emails!
Delete