Communication and Collaboration

Recent resources tagged with Communication and Collaboration.

Collaborative Development: A New Culture Affects an Old Organization

Added by the EDUCAUSE Librarian
Title:Collaborative Development: A New Culture Affects an Old Organization (ID: EQM0836)
Author(s):James Phelps (University of Wisconsin-Madison) and Terry Ruzicka (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Origin:EDUCAUSE Quarterly Articles (08/04/2008)
Type:Articles, Papers, and Reports
Abstract:

Using a collaborative model for developing IT projects delivered high-quality results with collateral benefits to the organization .

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Conference Connections: Rewiring the Circuit

Added by the EDUCAUSE Librarian
Title:Conference Connections: Rewiring the Circuit (ID: ERM0820)
Author(s):George Siemens (University of Manitoba), Peter Tittenberger (University of Manitoba), and Terry Anderson (Athabasca University)
Origin:EDUCAUSE Review Articles (03/14/2008)
Type:Articles, Papers, and Reports
Abstract:

Increased openness, two-way dialogue, and blurred distinctions between experts and amateurs have combined with numerous technology tools for dialogue, personal expression, networking, and community formation to “remake” conferences, influencing not only how attendees participate in but also how organizers host conferences today.

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New EDUCAUSE Constituent Groups Form: IT Communications and Virtual Worlds

Created by Colleen Luckett (EDUCAUSE) on December 12, 2007

EDUCAUSE invites subscribers to join two new constituent groups: IT Communications, led by Mur Muchane and Lisa Trubitt, and Virtual Worlds, led by AJ Kelton. Browse the full list of constituent and discussion groups at EDUCAUSE.

7 Things You Should Know About Skype

Added by the EDUCAUSE Librarian
Title:7 Things You Should Know About Skype (ID: ELI7032)
Origin:Contributed by EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative, 7 Things You Should Know (12/05/2007)
Type:Articles, Papers, and Reports
Abstract:

Skype is a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) application that lets users make free phone calls between Skype-equipped computers and inexpensive calls between Skype computers and landline or cell phones. Skype functions on a P2P model rather than as a centralized application, and it offers features such as voicemail, call forwarding, conference calling, and video chat. In most circumstances, Skype provides access to voice and video communication for a fraction of what other options cost. It allows more frequent contact between colleagues, collaborators, and friends and permits connections with those not likely to be in touch through conventional phone systems.

The "7 Things You Should Know About..." series from the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative (ELI) provides concise information on emerging learning technologies. Each brief focuses on a single technology and describes what it is, where it is going, and why it matters to teaching and learning. Use these briefs for a no-jargon, quick overview of a topic and share them with time-pressed colleagues.

In addition to the "7 Things You Should Know About..." briefs, you may find other ELI resources useful in addressing teaching, learning, and technology issues at your institution. To learn more, please visit the ELI Resources page.

 

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EDUCAUSE Southwest Regional Conference 2007. Summary:The CIO Perspective on Changes & Challenges-Opportunities for Collaboration

Created by Lida L. Larsen (EDUCAUSE) on March 15, 2007
Summary:
Closing General Session
2007 Southwest Regional Conference
Friday, February 23, 2007
Panel: The CIO Perspective on Changes and Challenges: Opportunities for Collaboration
Moderator: Loretta M. Early, Associate VP for Information Technology, University of Oklahoma
Panelists
  • Pierce E. Cantrell, Vice President & Associate Provost for Information Technology, Texas A&M University
  • Jenifer Jarriel, VP for Information Technology & CIO, Baylor College of Medicine
  • Kamran M. Khan, Vice Provost for Information Technology, Rice University
  • Sam Segran, Associate Vice President for IT & CIO, Texas Tech University
Abstract:
IT leadership has always been important, but given the challenges facing higher education, it is essential for not only cost-effective operations but long-term strategic success. A panel of four Texas CIOs will discuss significant issues in higher education IT and provide practical examples of how they can be addressed effectively through collaborative initiatives. Examples will include approaches for identifying opportunities, engaging leadership, and building effective partnerships with external/internal stakeholders.
Summary:
Jenifer Jarriel spoke on relationships and communication strategies.
Soft skills, communication is “all” when you are working with other people and in collaborations. There is energy and success when communication is good. Otherwise things often fail.
Jarriel referenced “Collaboration Audit” from The Leadership Challenge; How to Keep Getting Extraordinary Things Done in Organizations by Barry Z. Posner and James M. Kouzes. This book talks about fostering collaboration. The Collaboration Audit is for a whole group of issues or a specific collaborative issue. It frames an individual’s or group’s ability to successfully collaborate.
Trust is important as well and Jarriel mentioned Stephen Covey’s new book and his belief that trust, speed, and cost are factors in high performing organizations. If you have low trust there is low speed and therefore more cost. When we listen to others, it must be done in the framework where we trust and respect people in general and our collaborators in specific. It is helpful to listen attentively as the better listener you are, the better they will listen to you in return. (Stephen Covey - http://www.stephencovey.com/)
Another point for good communication is to have clarity of your goals. You can’t succeed if you don’t know what you’re supposed to do. And we need to know how will we know when we’ve reach the goal.
We must rely on each other to make all successful. Therefore good trust and communication is vital to the process.
Jarriel said we must give credit for other’s ideas and work. She suggest using “we” not “I” in conversations as this covertly engages people so they understand they are a part of the activity/process and share credit.
Another guideline was to treat every relationship as if it is a life-long relationship, even if it is not. This is a good way to develop the best relationships regardless of the time it will be active.
It is important to share information. Everyone needs to be fully aware. No one likes to be kept in the dark about a project or issues or to be in advertently surprised by information they should have been aware of in their work.
Jarriel also suggested that it is important to relate to others with different backgrounds, perspectives, expertise, etc., because we need diversity and dialogue to form the best ideas and make the best decisions.
Her closing points were:
  • Build the relationship before you need it.
  • Communicate to understand – not just be understood
  • Hearing isn’t listening
  • Make every interaction a positive one
  • Pay attention to your actions, they speak louder than words.
  • Choose the right communication channel
  • Blended communication plans are very necessary
Pierce Cantrell spoke on IT Governance
Cantrell opened his remarks with four questions.
Who makes which decisions?
Who provides inputs and analyses issues?
Who implements the results of the decisions?
Who settles disputes when there is no clear consensus?
--producing timely decisions, responsible actions, and reasonable results
IT governance is on the “top ten list” of issues to campus leaders.
The EDUCAUSE Core Data shows that we get input from all most all groups on our campus.
But Cantrell asks, Do your campus community and administration understand your IT Governance structure?
Does the CIO sit on, or interact regularly, with the executive cabinet, provost, deans, and department chairs?
He suggests that it is important to focus beyond the individual and to be able to work on an informal level with people at these levels as well as others on campus.
What kinds of advisory groups are in place on your campus and how effective are they?
He says that there is more success in focused advisory groups than those without a specific mission. Each IT organization needs to open up dialogue with groups that will advise and provide input into the work of the IT unit. Some advisory groups might be:
  • IT Steering
  • Instructional Technology
  • Classroom Technology
  • Student Computing
  • Research computing
  • Administrative Computing
  • IT Policy
  • IT Security
  • Networking
Cantrell notes that the partnership between central and local IT is an important element to be considered in IT governance issues.
Sam Segran talked about Security and Data Management Issues
Each issue has campus partners that the IT unit must collaborate with in resolving the issue.
Issues
Partners
Illegal downloads and p2p issues
Housing, student judicial, student affairs.
Credit card transaction servers and payment card industry security standards
Senior administration, comptroller, VPs, Deans, Department heads, Campus IT Staff
Worms, viruses, Trojans, hackers, etc
VPs, Deans, Department heads, campus it staff
Server, Desktop and application administration
VPs, Deans, Department heads, campus it staff


Put Higher Education First: Check Egos and Institutional Biases at the Door!

Added by the EDUCAUSE Librarian
Title:Put Higher Education First: Check Egos and Institutional Biases at the Door! (ID: MWR07070)
Author(s):Ailish Byrne (Indiana University)
Origin:Presented at Midwest Regional Conferences (03/13/2007)
Type:Presentations/Speeches
Abstract:Managing a project that involves collaboration between a number of different educational institutions and corporate partners presents unique challenges that require creative communication and team-building techniques. Learn about our experience with these challenges on the Kuali Financial System project.
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The CIO Perspective on Changes and Challenges: Opportunities for Collaboration

Added by the EDUCAUSE Librarian
Title:The CIO Perspective on Changes and Challenges: Opportunities for Collaboration (ID: SWR07030)
Author(s):Jenifer Jarriel (Baylor College of Medicine), Kamran M. Khan (Rice University), Pierce E. Cantrell (Texas A&M University), and Sam Segran (Texas Tech University)
Origin:Presented at Southwest Regional Conferences (02/23/2007)
Type:Presentations/Speeches
Abstract:IT leadership has always been important, but given the challenges facing higher education, it is essential for not only cost-effective operations but long-term strategic success. A panel of four Texas CIOs will discuss significant issues in higher education IT and provide practical examples of how they can be addressed effectively through collaborative initiatives. Examples will include approaches for identifying opportunities, engaging leadership, and building effective partnerships with external/internal stakeholders.
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Communication Tools: the Whole Enchilada

Created by Susan Miltenberger (Maryland Institute College of Art) on February 15, 2007
Thanks to everyone who gave me feedback on project communication tools!  As
we have been researching tools and recommendations, the institutional needs
for these systems has started growing.  In addition to project management we
are wondering about how collaboration tools can also meet communication
needs within our department:
  • as a repository for documentation (how to install...)
  • to provide an overview of what is going on in the department (this
  • week...this month)
  • as a place where all the bits of information can be brought together into
  • a big snapshot
I have no expectations that technology will provide us with the sole
solution to improving communication and workflow, but I¹d really like to
hear more ideas and stories about how other institutions are effectively
using collaboration applications.  We narrowed down our list of possible
solutions to four:  mediaWiki, drupal, typepad and Teams.

And since drupal consolidates many kinds of content (wiki, blog, RSS, etc.)
we felt that it was the product most worth looking at.  Yeah...simple,
right? 

Look, Listen, Learn: Collaboration in the 21st Century

Added by the EDUCAUSE Librarian
Title:Look, Listen, Learn: Collaboration in the 21st Century (ID: MWR0643)
Author(s):Joanne Gikas (The University of Memphis) and Corey Ray (The University of Memphis)
Origin:Presented at Midwest Regional Conferences (03/14/2006)
Type:Presentations/Speeches
Abstract:Would you like to connect to researchers abroad? Do you want your students to learn from experts in the field? The University of Memphis is using desktop collaboration to share knowledge and experiences among academics and professionals. Experience it first-hand and discuss planning and implementation.
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Merging Library and Instructional Technology Expertise Through Joint Positions

Added by the EDUCAUSE Librarian
Title:Merging Library and Instructional Technology Expertise Through Joint Positions (ID: MWR0667)
Author(s):Sharon Guan (DePaul University) and Linda Morrissett (DePaul University)
Origin:Presented at Midwest Regional Conferences (03/14/2006)
Type:Presentations/Speeches
Abstract:Over the past three years, four joint positions were created incrementally at DePaul University to merge library and instructional technology expertise. This presentation showcases the collaborative development of these positions that might serve as a model for next-generation library-IT staff organization.
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