Communicate
effectively in writing, orally, and using information technologies.
Communication has been a significant topic of interest for me throughout my coursework and a number of artifacts show evidence of this outcome. The strength of my written communication progressed from the beginning of my program in my pre-blog journal, by further exploring communication as a research topic, and eventually helping others to understand the value of collaborative communication through wikis.
804 - Wikis: An annotated bibliography
Much of my coursework made use of wiki technology for its collaborative features and quick web design. Knowing this to be a fast growing and relevant technology, I researched evidence of its use in libraries and wrote an annotated bibliography of my findings.
Here a wiki, there a wiki, everywhere a wiki-wiki
When the library in which I work began to implement wikis for collaborative organization of information, I used the paper from 804 as the basis for an article in an internal staff newsletter (Here a wiki...). I wrote this on behalf of our Development Council whose charge is to help staff gain the knowledge and tools they need to provide quality service.
802 - Communication Learning Group Feedback
There have also been a number of opportunities to present essays and projects in class and through training and presentations in my work organization. But, 802 was the only class where part of our assignment was to constructively critique both our own presentation and those of our colleagues. I can also point to my background in vocal music performance from which I have a good amount of ease in front of an audience. But I must admit it is a lot easier to sing what someone else has already written centuries ago than it is to develop and present information to meet an audience’s information need. I have found there are many similarities, nonetheless, between singing and communicating knowledge. As I gain mastery over a topic (and practice!), I can begin to reclaim the ease of that audience interaction. So for me the bar of effectiveness will be when presenting and teaching feels like singing an aria.
View artifact: Wiki annotated bibliography (.pdf)
View artifact: Staff newsletter article - Here a wiki...(.pdf)
View artifact: Communication feedback (.pdf)