Class over, until the next one

Well the Technology Tools for HRD class has come to an end. Learned quite a bit about different technology tools over the course of this class.

It was interesting to work with my fellow graduate students complete a project- without ever setting foot in the same room together.

We were tasked with taking about 30 different papers on different technology teaching tools and compile them into an electronic book form. We were able to compile, edit, and produce the book via Google Drive and Docs. It was impressive really.

Eight or nine folk who've never met in person, working together in the span of two weeks, completed the project. Imagine if the team worked together all the time what they could do?

PicMonkey photo editing program

Since I have an interest in photography- when I actually have time to play with it- I decided to check out PicMonkey.com. This was one of the programs in our technology ebook we all participated in developing.

This is a free editing (you can get more features on the subscription side), web based program for photos. One nice aspect is that you can edit some photos without creating an account. I like this as it would allow me to edit photos from anywhere I could access the internet.

I am not a professional photographer so I cannot justify the price of the full Adobe Photoshop suite of editing software. Instead, I use the Photoshop Elements and Premier Elements program as my primary editing software. There are a number of things you can do with that software that you cannot do with the free version of PicMonkey.

However, there were some interesting overlays, textures, and other things one can do with a photo from PicMonkey. I liked the ability to do a quick double exposure edit to photos. You can do it with Photoshop Elements, but it appears there are more steps to the edit than in PicMonkey.

There are a number of tutorials and other aids to help you work through photo edits. I liked the simplistic edit fields and am looking forward to playing with the program as I have time. I have 1000s of photos stored on my computer. Many of them are not really worth keeping, but with the simple features of PicMonkey, perhaps I can play with some of the "throw away" photos and make something of them.

3-2-1

As the semester comes to a close, we are asked to do some reflective analysis on the class, and what we've learned. Using the 3-2-1 format, three surprises from the class, two things I will do different, and one thing I will not forget. It will be hard to call some of the things learned a "surprise," because instinctively I knew of some of this, it was just not digging deep into it before now. Or, attaching a name to it.

Three "Surprises"

I guess the first surprise, really wasn't a surprise, as much as it was an illumination. We were introduced the the Personal Learning Network (PLN), which I had not heard the term before the class. Once it was explained, I realized I had a PLN, it just was not something I had thought of in a material sense.

I use the term material, but not in a physical- reach out and touch it way. It's not something you can hold in your hand, but it is something that you work with. It's a living, breathing thing that can change as time and circumstance go by.

There is so much stuff out on the Internet, it is impossible for anyone to know everything that's out there. I know there are tons of apps, hacks, tools, and other things available to people via the Internet. It was not so much of a surprise that there is so much out there, I guess the second "surprise" is the richness and versatility of the tools available. There is so much that can be done with some of the tech tools out there.

Twitter. Surprise, number three. Many of my fellow students, and my instructor, know I am not a fan of Twitter. I had no intent to use it and stay current with it. I am now leaning toward keeping it going, although I am not sure for how long. I am still thinking about how I would make use of it in my training world. I will give it time.

Two Thing's I will do Differently

My introduction to the different tools will change how I do things. The question is not if, it's when. I plan on researching the tech tools to see what I can use as part of the training I conduct. I'd like to figure out more ways to engage my students and assist them with the learning process.

Secondarily, I plan to keep looking at tech tools as I progress through my graduate program. I have not settled on what I will do for my Master's Thesis, so I don't know what, if any, tech tools I will use. I am leaning toward something with scenario based training programs. Those teaching methods don't lend themselves well to social media tools. At least not yet...

Never Forgetting

It is not a specific tool that I will remember so specifically. It will be more of the whole class and the collaboration between the graduate students. We used Asana to collaborate offline to create the technology ebook. It's not so much the tool, as I suspect someday a better one may come along, it's the collaboration that took place.

We were able to pull documents from almost thirty students, located in geographically diverse places. We then compiled, edited, categorized the papers and produced the book without any of us actually being the presence with the others- except virtually.

I guess it will be the collaboration on the project that I will take with me from the class.

PLN and Going Forward

Until this class, I had not really heard of a PLN. Now, I know I have one.

Going forward I will be continuing to use the PLN as a means to gather information to continued my development as an instructor. It will also be handy as I work toward completing my graduate program.

I've taken some information from the PLN we've been shown and incorporated into the training I do. I teach a component on instructor documentation. Part of that documentation is developing a resume and a curriculum vitae. I've added information about developing a PLN. This will help instructors understand the dynamics of where, and how, they develop their own information and expertise in a particular discipline.

I've also talked with other instructors and have discussed a PLN. Many of them, like me, realize they had one, without knowing it. Once the subject of a PLN was discussed, they were able to identify several components of the PLN. This just puts a name to something they were already doing.

As you know, I am not a fan of Twitter. Initially I was inclined to cancel it after this class was over. I am now thinking about keeping it active. I don't know how much use I will get out of it, but it may just be more of a placeholder for the account since I can use my name.

I am still not overjoyed to have it. I can see it has value to some folks. I am just not sure it's for me. Time will tell.

My Experience, thus far

As some readers of my blog know, I am using Twitter, because it's a required portion of this class. Although it's tempting to write about my experience with Twitter, I have to say I have only been minimally playing with it. I just don't have the time to dig deeper into using it. Plus, I have some aversion to it, so that does not motivate me much.

But, this posting is not going to be about Twitter. It's about my experience in the class so far. I guess it's learning more about some of the other websites that are out there, not just the popular ones like Twitter and LinkedIn.

Until this class I'd never heard of programs such as Asana and Feedly. I would not have sought them out on my own. I am still learning to use them. It's also learning about video editing, word processing, and as part of my course assignment, learning about Google Drive and Docs.

I understand Google better, and have a better feel for using cloud storage systems.

I still don't trust them.

I am not a corporation basher by any stretch. We need them to provide goods and services. But I don't forget they are in the business to make money. They buy and sell information. Things you store on Drive is stored on their computers. Not yours. That means they can have access to it. I don't care what Google, or any other cloud storage system says, they have your data. Sooner or later, one of them is going to mine that data for it's resale value. It will happen.

I have no issue working with them on shared documents, much like we do in class. I don't see myself storing photos and other personal data on Drive, or any cloud storage. Perhaps I am being paranoid. But, it's not paranoia if they really are after you.

I suppose some younger readers may think I am out to lunch on this. However, I've seen too many data breaches and other abuses of information (AKA power) in my life to believe, that at some point, some cloud service will violate that community trust.

Feel free to tell me I am wrong.

Take time to learn something interesting (Photo insert)

One major life lesson I've learned, the hard way I might add, is to stop once in a while and do something fun. If you can learn why doing it, all the better.

Over the weekend I went to Virginia City, MT. There were several reasons for the trip, but essentially it was to allow my wife to participate in some Irish activities, at the same time, I was going to watch some living history performances at the Nevada City Museum. They were recreating the trial and hanging of George Ives.

This started the whole vigilante movement in Virginia City in 1863. In fact, three days after Ives was hanged, the Vigilance Committee met for the first time. Two years later, 20 more people were hung by the Vigilantes. The debate on effectiveness, and legality, will go on for decades. One thing's for sure, the homicide rate in Virginia City went from over 190 in 1863, to next to nothing in 1865.

The folks doing the living history have researched this and came up with some accurate portrayals of court process during that time. It would make a modern lawyer scream.

The living history trial is about an hour long. Condensed from the original three trial. After the "trial" is over, they take Ives to the place of hanging and "Hang him by the neck until he is dead."

Just remember, it's important to have fun while learning something. I was not aware of the trial and hanging until I happened across the program. I could have read the Wikipedia entry about it, but it's not the same. Even though class is important, work is important, it's just as important to take time and do something fun. It lets you unwind and I think be a better student in the long run.

As an aside, if you see a Montana Highway Patrol patch, you'll see the numbers 3-7-77. If you want to learn a little about Old West history, check it out. It's from the Vigilante Movement in 1863.

#techhrd

LinkedIn

My first exposure to LinkedIn occurred during a civil trial in Anchorage. An officer had shot a "kid" who was pointing a rifle at some other kids. Turned out the rifle was a BB-Gun, but the officer had no way to know that a the time. The "kid" was shot in the arm and survived the event. He and his mother sued the officer for excessive force.

During the trial, the plaintiff lawyer started to lie and misrepresent testimony in court, to the point that I accused him of it in open court. After I was done testifying, the officer who was being sued stepped up to testify to what happened.

A few hours into the testimony, the plaintiff lawyer produced copies of a LinkedIn account. It had the officer's name on it and in the copy, was the statement that he was a "garbage collector." In essence, it was a reference to people being arrested are "garbage." This was an outright fabrication. The officer had no such account. Had never even had one. This was simply done to lie to the jury about the officer's attitude toward people. Fortunately, the jury saw though the lies and voted to clear the officer.

It was after this event that I thought about creating my own LinkedIn account. It was as much to control the flow of information about me and my career, as it was to actually network with other professionals in my field. I created the account more to prevent someone from lying about me and what I do.

After the account was established, I found that I was able to reconnect with professionals from around the country that I had lost contact with. It was a helpful source for that. I also found there were a number of groups and organizations I could access through LinkedIn. I joined several of those groups.

Over the years I have participated in some online discussions related to use of force and firearms that have started through some of these LinkedIn groups. I have been contacted by others, asking about information I've shared. I have also been able to use some of the contacts as a means of getting information I needed for certain projects, or for my own edification.

It is also helpful in keeping tabs on job openings around the US. Although I am not currently looking for a job, at least I can keep tabs on what jobs are out there and what the pay and benefits are these days.

As part of a PLN, LinkedIn will help you stay connected to people who influence you and can provide information to make your learning more in-depth. You control the information about your career that you post, but at the same time you have access to those who can help you- and you can help them.

For class purposes

The No Easy Day post is a follow up. The post that was due for Tuesday was posted Monday and is titled Classroom and Scenario training.

Sorry for any confusion.

No Easy Day

This was emailed by a colleague today. It goes to the ethos of the US Navy SEALS and their attitude toward perseverance and dedication.

 

The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday

When I first set foot onto the fabled BUD/S training "grinder," I saw the saying "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday" (TOEDWY) written in gold on blue above the asphalt. It is a simple yet profound statement that became a daily companion as my character was ground down and rebuilt over nine long months. Did the saying mean that yesterday was easy, or that today was going to be harder than yesterday? Nope; none of that mattered. What it meant was that I had to deliver results with all I had— right here and right now. It meant I had to show up and put out 100 percent and then do it again tomorrow. The memory of yesterday is easy  because it is over, and tomorrow hasn't happened yet, so don't worry about it. Just focus on now.

That saying was speaking to the need to develop discipline. Like all of our values, discipline requires practice. The dictionary defines discipline as the ability to behave in a controlled and calm manner—even during difficult or stressful situations. It also means to have conscious self‐control in directing or changing your behavior when you learn a better way. Thus TOEDWY encouraged us to discipline our minds to stay focused 100 percent every moment so we could learn new skills, gain new knowledge, and perform under duress. Those who accomplished this had the privilege of serving alongside America's finest warriors.

The last of the SEAL ethos statements is "Earn your trident every day." This and TOEDWY are closely related, but earning your trident every day is a reminder that the destination is never the goal. Once you become a SEAL, it is then incumbent upon you to master the skills of warriorship and to become a great teammate. The training is endless and relentless. You are never "there" and can never rest on your past accomplishments. This virtue is another powerful guiding principle for your life. The world changes so fast now that you can't afford to throttle back or take things for granted. If you do, you will soon find yourself on the sidelines,  wondering what happened. Many companies and individuals in the past decade made this mistake and faced demise or loss of a career because of it. Warriors discipline themselves by embracing the "the only easy day was yesterday" principle, as they strive to earn their trident anew every day. Ultimately they find great inspiration in the accelerated learning that results from this level of commitment to their work and training.

#techhrd

Classroom and scenario training

While proctoring a test that takes two hours, I finished the reading material for the class. In Chapter 6 the authors touched on simulation training. To me, that is reality based training (RBT), at least that's what we call it in the law enforcement world. It is a step beyond classroom training.

The authors rightly point out that some events in the real world are too dangerous to allow for "on-the-job" training. We have to simulate as much of it as possible. Using RBT, we can simulate dangerous, high risk events. This way, students get introduced to an event, which then gives them some experience for their brain to draw from when it is dangerous. This reduces the time necessary for them to respond in an actual event. This, hopefully, increases their safety and the safety of those around the incident.

In Chapter 7, I see the value of some of the live interaction between students and teachers in a conference, or similar setting, I am not sure where it would fit in the traditional classroom setting of law enforcement training. Part of it has to do with laws that restrict what can be done in an academy setting, combined with the time and costs involved in setting it up.

For example, under current Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training guidelines, students are not permitted to have a cell phone in class. Therefore, even though the use of Twitter to provide real time feedback may be valuable to an instructor and other students, it would be impossible to due if they don't have Internet access through their computer workstations. Without the computer and without the phone, that immediate feedback is not possible. Right now, students have to wait until the end of the Academy to post their feedback on the courses.

This might be something that can be experimented with, but that would require educating decision makers, many of whom are Baby Boomers or Gen X folks. Social media very far outside their comfort zone.

#techhrd

Twitter- It Ain't being twitterpaited.

Until this class, I had avoided getting into Twitter. There were several reasons for this, but primarily it was to avoid another thing that was taking time away from more important pursuits. I had no need for it. I would see articles on various subjects and watch the vitriol being spewed by basement dwelling, Internet trolls who would ride in, shoot from the hip, and ride out, with no regard to the destruction left in their wake. Kind of like the "drive by media" that Rush Limbaugh refers too, only more caustic and divisive.

So, as I dove into my Master's program at Idaho State, it became evident that I would be getting a heavy dose of social media. Twitter was but one example. Now I have a Twitter account. I am still not thrilled about it, but here we go.

I signed up for the account two weeks ago. I did not post anything until this week. I had to really, it was part of this week's course assignments. I had collected some Twitter feeds, such as those coming from the Pocatello Police Department and the Idaho State Police. Since I work in this field, and live in the area, it is important to see what is happening around you. Situational awareness is the term we use in law enforcement.

Because of a number of life events, such as seeing my new granddaughter, I have not had the time to devote to learning Twitter as much as I need to for this course. I hope that over the weekend,  I will get more time to look at it. I may have to use my 20 something daughter to explain it to me. She is quite the Twitter'er...if you will.

As for using Twitter as part of a PLN, I can see where there are some advantages. If you narrow the focus of your followers to just those areas which are part of the PLN, then I think it would help. If the feed gets clogged with entertainment, sports, news, and other extraneous information, then important information you need as part of your PLN can be lost in the deluge of Tweets.

Moderation is the key.

#techhrd

The "Big Idea," so far...

Although I am not afraid of new technologies, some of it I really tended to shy away from. There are a number of reasons for this, but mainly it's the amount of time spent on dealing with new technologies that slows me down.

After getting into this class, I saw I was going to have to use Twitter. I was not a fan of it. It seemed like one more "time suck" in my life. Facebook is bad enough. LinkedIn I look at very rarely as it's more of a professional contact's list than much of anything else.

Now, if I look at Twitter from a Professional Learning Network (PLN) or fast track communication mechanism, then I can see the benefits. It may help with seeing important information about events that would impact others in my profession.

From a learning perspective, I am still contemplating how it would factor into what I do. Most of the teaching I do is in classroom, or field settings. Since the class started I am trying to think of ways to use these technologies for training. It may take some time to put things together, but I can see the value of Twitter and other social media sources as part of a PLN.

I have used other media sources for instruction. For example, one of the classes I teach is on Human Performance Factors in Police Use of Force Instruction. Basically, it's a class on how human physiology and psychology factor into use of force. Since there is a tremendous amount of information associated with the class, some of it is just too in depth to present in a classroom setting alone.

To facilitate this, the students in the course participate in a ten hour pre-class training. This training consists of watching three videos via Vimeo, followed up by reading assignments and then an online, open book, multiple choice exam. This has to be completed before they come to class. The material prepares them for the concepts and information presented in the classroom portion of the class. It also frees me up to present other material that I would not have had time to present absent the pre-class materials.

During the class, we use several videos from YouTube to emphasis various teaching points.

 #techhrd