Purpose

Research Question:
How can the College's Graduate/Professional Studies programs be enhanced or reconfigured in order to meet the changing needs in Northeast Ohio?

This is an attempt to capture my research process and to share my research findings with as many people as possible. My project goal is to research workforce needs and economic development projections in Northeast Ohio in order to provide recommendations for program enhancement, particularly in Graduate and Professional Studies.

I chose to conduct my project in this public manner in order to explore one aspect of the type of technologically integrated learning for which I am advocating. I have not blogged before, so bear with me.

Early posts merely reflect information gathered. As I progress, my later posts will be more analytical and synthetic. I invite any and all comments, thoughts, musings, questions, and connections. The more personal input I receive, the more meaningful my recommendations will become.

If I have learned anything in the past few weeks, it is certainly that there are many important things that I just don't know, so help me out if you see the need.

Please click on the links that are in (almost) every post to get detailed information from the source itself.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Web 2.0 and Today's Workforce

Unfortunately, I cannot link to the Aberdeen Report, which, according to CNN.com and other sites was sponsored at some point, but according to Aberdeen's page, is no longer sponsored or viewable by nonmembers. Shame. The secondary sources that I have found, however, capture and summarize the findings of the study that are relevant to my project, namely, that Web 2.0 capabilities are essential for individuals entering the current workforce.

Aberdeen found that "Best in Class" companies utilize Web 2.0 tools in order to increase worker productivity and output. These companies invest in the professional development of their workers who might need guidance in using these tools.

The important take away here is that in the business world, working with Web 2.0 is a fundamental skill. If it valued in the workplace, then it should be valued and cultivated in academia.

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