Tag Archives: organizationalpsychology

The Norms of Online Global Collaborations

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I am reading chapter 10 of The Global Educator this week. In this chapter, we are going through different norms of online global collaborations guiding educators on how to build collaborative relationships. There are eight norms in total, but I am focusing the first two in this blog post, and how it can be applied to the Psychology field. If you have no idea how to start online global collaborations, this blog post may be helpful, even you are not a Psychology major.

A picture with the globe as the background, and people with business attire standing at the front. The picture fits with the topic of this blog post that I am going to discuss online global collaboration.
A picture implies a global connection and community with different professions.
A logo of LinkedIn. This social media is one of my tools to build my PLN. This tool is useful that a lot of professionals upload their relevant experiences and resume there.
A logo of LinkedIn, which is one of the online tools for networking and job searching.

The first norm is to be prepared. You need to have your target to connect with and tools to work together. I like to use Twitter and LinkedIn for building the network. Twitter is good at resource sharing and quick discussions, while LinkedIn allows me to keep an eye on the job and conference opportunities. Different from the educators, psychologists seldom share teaching plans or teaching methods. Instead, we share more research studies and statistics. Therefore, professional social media are important for us to exchange resources and keep each other updated. Twitter and LinkedIn only help to get started on global collaborations. Tools can be different and specific depending on your fields. For example, profile creating tools are useful for Organizational Psychology; statistic analysis software is helpful for research studies; brain activity detecting machines are beneficial for neuropsychology. No matter which online tools you are using, most of them allow you to share your file with anyone you want. All the online tools make it easier to work together with everyone around the world anytime and anywhere. 

The second norm is about purpose. You need to know what you are collaborating for. For example, you are doing this for the short-term or long-term, which specific topics you are focusing on, etc. When applied to the Psychology field, you have to think of which area you want to work for, such as organizational psychology, clinical psychology, school psychology, or research. As I am graduating soon, I want to build my PLN, focusing on the Organizational Psychology field. For my short-term goal, I want to find a job working in the Human Resources department. Being active in LinkedIn not only provides me with job opportunities but also chances to practice skimming and scanning one’s resume. In case I am working in the Human Resources department when I graduate, it would be helpful. I can also contact with potential candidates from world-wide through LinkedIn. My long-term goal is to spread the idea of organizational psychology and see how the theory can be applied in real-world settings to create a better working environment. Therefore, I usually share my relevant experiences and knowledge on Twitter. At the same time, I gained from the article and resources professionals posted online. I learned from ideas and comments from their perspectives that they are more professional and experienced than I am. 

Although I am not directly collaborating or working together with the people I follow on collaborating tools, we are active on the same platform to learn and give back. I am now on the first few steps in building my network, and we will be fully engaged in and collaborative with people in this professional community.

What are your purpose and collaborative tools for global collaboration?

Are they specific to your professional, or can they be generally applied in different fields?

Finally, thank you for visiting my blog, and please do not forget to follow me on Twitter for more related information and discussions.
Twitter: @PoYeeWong4

Explore Something New – Microsoft Educators Community

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From the previous blog post, I reflected on my experiences using Twitter, how students can benefit from global learning, and the results of misusing social media. In this blog post, I am going to reflect on one of my new joining learning communities – Microsoft Educators Community (MEC).

The picture showing a Microsoft tablet. It shows a brief display of how the Window system looks like.
A picture showing a Microsoft tablet.

Microsoft Educators Community is an online platform allowing educators worldwide to learn new skills, discover classroom activities, and earn badges and certificates. This community provides different courses with various learning materials, such as PowerPoint, PDF, relevant websites, videos, etc. At the end of the course, there is a quiz that you need an 80% accuracy to pass and earn badges and/or certificates and points. The MEC teaches members not only tools provided by Microsoft and Window system but also how to collaborate with other possible learning tools, such as Skype and Minecraft. It is aiming to improve methods of learning and maximize the influences of learning.

Personal Experiences Taking Different Courses

Seventeen sustainable development goals are no poverty; zero hunger; good health and well-being; quality education; gener equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace, justice and strong institutions; partnerships for the goals.
Seventeen sustainable development goals that are trying to be achieved by 2030.

The Teaching Sustainable Development Goals is my first course in the MEC. The course explains not only the aim and definition of sustainable development but also seventeen goals we all agree to achieve by 2030. There are also suggestions on what we can do to help with it, and how we can spread out the idea to protect our planet. I know what is sustainable development before I take this course, but I do not know there are so many goals for the whole project. Therefore, I learned more and am now be updated.

A picture shows students discussing in groups and with the use of different tools to search the answer for the Mystery Skype.
Students are enjoying and discussing in groups for the Mystery Skype.

Introduction to Skype in the Classroom is another course I took. It broadened my horizon that I was surprised at the functions of Skype. Besides guest speaker and general class discussion, the Virtual Field Trip and Mystery Skype are new to me but become my favorite at once. Experts go on live virtual field trips to museums, parks, historical landmarks, etc. with a class of students through Skype. Or students can play a game through Skype with another class, and guess where they are from by asking only Yes or No questions. I think these two are the significant features of introducing Skype in a classroom, helping students to learn better in different cultures, critical thinking, and communication skills. I also believe that relaxing and funny class time boosts students’ interest in learning.

A picture shows the displays of the Microsoft Windows 10 system built-in app, Paint 3D.
A display of the Paint 3D app from the Windows 10 system.

One of the exciting course I took is Introduction to Paint 3D, which is a built-in app in Windows 10. There are different tools, features, and figures inside, allowing you to create both 2D and 3D projects with as many details as you want. I think I would be useful one day when I become an Organizational Psychologist and trying to show my clients our office planning designs. Even, I can include some 3D images in my PowerPoint to make it more attractive and clear in expressing my ideas.

Above are only some valuable courses in MEC. I am still on my way learning as much as I can. Although I am not using the Windows system now, I believe most of the companies are making good use of this system. Therefore, I have a high probability of using all the tools mentioned in any courses. Even, I am not using these tools one day, I would, of course, have a chance to teach others. As aiming at working in the business setting Psychology field, I think taking more courses can provide me with diverse ideas on improving engagement. It is difficult to explain all the details and actual feelings taking courses and reaching a lot of resources from this platform. I highly recommend all of you to join. What you only need is to create a free account!

Finally, thank you for visiting my blog and please do not forget to follow me on Twitter for more related information and discussions.
Twitter: @PoYeeWong4