Monthly Archives: April 2010

Wisdom of the Ages: Applying Generational Concepts at Work

Yesterday, I attended the workshop Wisdom of the Ages: Applying Generational Concepts at Work presented by the Outreach Diversity Council . Here is some information about the session:

Wisdom of the Ages:  Applying Generational Concepts at Work
 
April 29, 2010
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Room 115, 329 Building
 
Four generations of people currently exist in today’s workplace. This session highlights and illuminates the benefits and challenges that exist when people of various ages work together. Various styles of music will be used to illustrate the similarities and difference that people have when it comes to generational dynamics.This session will help participants to:
  • identify the four generations
  • explore and understand common characteristics of the four generations
  • recognize the impacts of generational influences on attitudes, values, and behaviors
  • develop more effective strategies for working with people of various ages
Please note: Participating in this program counts toward fulfilling your annual Diversity requirement (8 hours).
 
Presenter: Annie Holmes, Coordinator of Diversity Education in Penn State’s Affirmative Action Office, will conduct this session. She has served in this capacity providing workshops and facilitating diversity sessions across the Penn State community for 2 years. Annie has worked with Rankin and Associates as a research associate. She has also worked in Residence Life and the Office of Educational Equity at Penn State. Annie is also a doctoral student in higher education administration. She received her master’s degree in college student affairs from Penn State and her bachelor’s degree in education from Temple University.

 I would recommend that anyone who wants to discuss this topic and learn more about this facet of work attend.  During the session, we talked about 4 generations:

  • Veterans (1900-1945)
  • Baby Boomers (1946-1964)
  • Generation Xer’s (1965-1980)
  • Generation Y (1981-2000)

We started by breaking into groups based on which category we came from.  In the groups, we wrote down a list of important events, trends, and heros that shaped the generation.  I came into the session with a bias against Baby Boomers.  I’ll just put that out there to be honest.  Ever since I’ve been 5, I’ve had to learn and work within systems that have been championed by that group.  By the end of the discussion, I had a better sense of how when you were born affects who you are.  I also have a better appreciation for the Boomers.  In fact, I can see many beneficial characteristics in myself that have come from the Boomers.  In fact, instead of being an independent isolated individual, I tend to be more outgoing and seek advice from those who come before me and after.  I guess this was a strategy that I developed over time.  In my last work environment, I was surrounded by Boomers when I started.  Then after time, I saw some excellent things that were being done by Gen Yer’s that helped me to grow.  Being in a generation where technology was just in its inception has made me a valuable link from the past to the present.  It will be interesting to see how things develop over the upcoming years as Boomers move out of the workplace and Gen Xer’s take leadership.  Or will Gen Yer’s skip the Xer’s?

Coming Up for Air

So it’s been 10 days since I’ve added an entry, but a ton has happened since then.  I received materials to finish up a course and have been spending most of my time getting the course ready for the summer semester. 

This reminds me of a few things about my job.  There are busier times and right before the opening of the semester is one.  This may seem obvious, but it always surprises me how busy things can get.  In any case, I feel like there has to be a way to not get so consumed by the craziness.  I thought in January that John Buckwalter and I had a plan that would work.  We decided to set up our tasks in the Google calendar based on a document shared by Louise Sharrar, but that has not worked.  Things are still getting done, but the process is less proactive and more reactive.  I’m thinking that we need to start using the Oracle calendar to establish milestones. 

Any thoughts from the group?

Problem Solving

I had an interesting discussion today about the topic of Problem Solving and what is most effective.  There are several points that we made during the discussion that I wanted to note.  First, solving problems requires clarity of thought.  I find personally that I don’t have clarity when I am too busy.  Some of the best problem solvers that I have ever known were the type of person who didn’t flood their lives with business.  Their minds were open and able to go in different directions when a problem confronted them.  The next point revolved around the environment that is necessary to solve problems.  Some people like to have alone time while others need input from others.  Let us know what you think by answering the poll and adding your comments. What is the best way for you to solve problems?online surveys

Quite a Week

So I came back from a weekend at my in-laws ready to tackle another week.  Tuesday, my wife unexpectedly got sick.  So I spent time at home with my boys.  When I got home, they were taking advantage of my wife who needed to lie down.  Simeon and Noah had moved all of Simeon’s (my older son) clothes from his dresser to the bathroom floor.  Then they climbed up into the closet space of the dresser and started jumping off.

That evening, Dee was scheduled to do volunteer work at Centre House (a transitional housing facility) in State College.  I went in her stead and had a great time cooking and hanging with people who are using the facility.  The thing I came away with is that we are all just sojourners on this earth no matter what we have or where we live.  It was an upbeat and lively group.  I was blessed to have spent time with them. 

Wednesday was hectic with work on various and sundry courses.  I have been so busy with the quiz to assessment conversion that I’ve been putting some of my course development to the side.  I have also done little R&D on web 2.0 tools.  It’s times like these that can get you down.

Wednesday night into Thursday, I got the stomach bug that my wife on Tuesday.  I haven’t been sick like that since before my kids were born.  I couldn’t hold anything down and had a fever of 102.  It really makes me appreciate my health, but I have to admit that I am a pathetic sick person.  My wife can vouch for that.

Today, I spent time catching up especially with a course that rolls out for Summer ’10.  It was nice to finally get some materials to put together loose ends.  Unfortunately, in this business, we find ourselves as the last priority.  That leaves us little time to really reflect on the final product.  That’s why I think that development should be more about putting together something that will work.  Then as the course runs, add items that make it better. 

If I had to summarize the week in few words, you never know what life will throw you.  Roll with the punches and try not to take too many on the chin.

Examples of my work

Before I get ahead of myself, I must acknowledge that this isn’t my first try or probably my last in blogging.  So here are a few links of my earlier work with a short description of each.

ITS Professional Portfolio
For my Master’s in Instructional Design and Technology (IDT), I did a portfolio defense.  To organize my accomplishments, I used a weebly site.  How did I decide to use this site?  I noticed that some of my classmates had used the site, so I tried it myself.  I’d encourage anyone who needs to create a website for any purpose to try weebly.  Here are a few other examples of work that I have done here:

cbssports.com
This was an attempt to get involved in sports talk.  I’ve always been a sports fan, so I began discussing and later blogging on this site.  One thing to know is that you have to receive and maintain a 95 rating to have a blog.  So I had to put in some work and then write something meaningful.  I have been featured twice on the front page.  If you are interested the title names that were featured are Greatest vs. Most Beloved and Stop the Hype!  My writing on cbssports actually got me a gig with isportsweb, but I have since realized that blogging is about exposure and passion.  I can do all I need to do and get noticed on cbssports.

Lower Dauphin School District Teacher Site
As a part of my communication with students, I managed a space on the school wires site set up by my previous employer.  I noticed that it has finally been taken down.  I learned alot about how to manage a site during this experience.