ALES204 The Finale

Hi ALES204. In my final blog for the class, I have composed a reflection of the course in its entirety.
          I had a misconception of the course before it started, that it was going to be strictly on verbal presentations and communication. Thus I was very surprised during the first class that the course's focus had changed into an in-depth exploration of communication in a vast array of manners, mainly focusing on web based communications. I was somewhat apprehensive of the idea that future communication was going to take place mainly online, however I was open to exploring online communication and how it could enhance my professionalism. The term started off with Twitter and its many daily applications and impacts on the world around us, with constant streams of information from anyone around the world. Coinciding with the introduction to Twitter, we were introduced to Blogger and how to blog in a professional manner. ALES204 become a journey through the infinitely expanding internet by exploring the powers of Twitter, Blogger, Facebook, Google Docs,  Flickr, Wordle, Delicious, Refworks, LinkedIn, and Audio Boo.

          The course proceeded with public speaking, presentations, and Pecha Kuchas (20x20). Public speaking is an important component of many jobs, so speaking load, clear, and at a fluent pace is important in order to be effective and memorable. Another important component of disseminating information is making sure you are excited and relatable during your presentation. Knowing your information and what you want to get across is important, especially if you are presenting in a Pecha Kucha format, so research is critical even if it starts with Wikipedia. However as we have learned Wikipedia is not the most reliable resources just as Layla LeDahl points out in her blog pertaining to Wikipedia stubs. Dr. Jessica Laccetti has taught us that critically analyze peer-reviewed articles are the best source of information. Wordle, which makes tag clouds, can be used in order to relinquishment the main words in a paper or the desired criteria in an employment ad. For example, I used Wordle to point out the key words in my entire ALES204 blog, so my readers can see what my blog is focused on (Figure 1.). Tag Clouds can be used as a type of folksonomy, which is a form of managing and categorizing content through tagging, like hashtags in tweets. While delicious is a site which people can use to save and share their favorite links or tags. However if bills such as the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) were passed then enforcement of copyright laws would make disseminating and sharing knowledge harder. Conversely Creative Commons is working with other sites in order to allow the legal sharing of knowledge and creativity around the world through the creation of six different copyright licences. While Refworks is a site based around creating proper citations and references for research paper and other materials that are not common knowledge and need to be cited. As you can see the topics in this class flowed together and became an integrated mixture of online and offline resources for us to use in the future.

Figure 1. Wordle tag cloud about my blog available on Flickr. 

          The most beneficial segments of the class that directly related to acquiring a job were: creating resumes and curriculum vitae (CV); starting a LinkedIn account; writing professional emails; and practicing interviewing. I felt these components of the class prepared us for applying for future employment or graduate studies. Resumes were really the only form of documentation that I knew was used for presenting one's brief backgrounds and qualifications. However I have learned CV's are a more complete representation of a person's education and professional history. This class has allowed us to move our future professions and carries forward with the help of LinkedIn and Professional Facebook pages, which allow us to post our CVs and resumes online, in order to attain careers and make connections. Also having a personal template in which to email an employer is a comforting resource for the future. In addition proper interviewing skills were review, however many of the public speaking techniques learned can be extrapolated and used for interviewing. Since I am going into my final year of undergrad being able to start putting these resources together and making online connections now is especially important to me. 

          I think ultimately the point of the class was to get us to access all potential aspects of communication, preferably online. In addition, this class taught us how to communication more professionally to a larger demographic. As stated in class, internet based communications are great resources however one has to remember what goes online is permanent and always out there for everyone to see. In closing the allowance of a broader dissemination of knowledge allows people to critically analyze, learn, and interpret information for themselves, just like I did on five of my classmates blogs: Erika Brown's ALES204 Introduction blog; Kendra Hilsenteger's Facebook blog; Christy Czapski's Wikipedia blog;  Jenn Wheeler's Choice blog: EHS; and Chelsea Livingstone's Choice blog: Public Speaking. Finally, I feel all the applications which we explored during ALES204 are applicable in a professional setting however these applications have to be used correctly, which means being professional in all capacities.

Figure 2. The empty ALES204 classroom says, farewell students
 for another semester. This personal image is available on Flickr. 

References 

Fig 1. ALES204-Wordle. (2012) bbohlender, [digital image]. Retrieved April 5, 2012. From Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/75305779@N06/7052328653/in/photostream

Fig 2. Farewell ALES204. (2012) bbohlender, [digital image]. Retrieved April 10, 2012. From Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75305779@N06/6919679494/in/photostream

Choice Blog: ProMED-mail

Hi ALES204. Here is a blog about my topic of choice, ProMED-mail.

Figure 1. An image of ProMED-mail's logo. 

          ProMED-mail is a website based reporting system dedicated to monitoring emerging or re-emerging diseases. ProMED-mail is a part of the International Society For Infectious Diseases (ISID), which is an association that is committed to: the improvement of disease care; the training of clinicians and researchers; and the control of infectious disease. The site is devoted to the dissemination of information, pertaining to infectious disease outbreaks and toxin exposures, via different forms of social media. Site subscribers are the main manner in which reports and information on outbreaks are collected and directed to ProMED-mail for the good of public health. There are currently over 60,000 subscribers in about 185 countries that help bring information together via Twitter at @ProMED_mail, Facebook at ProMED-mail, or email. Subscribers are encouraged to discuss concerns, relinquish their knowledge, and collaborate about particular infectious diseases through these three forms of communication.

           The site is constantly updated with reliable news about human, animal, and plant health issues worldwide. In order to provide reliable and accurate information, a group of disease experts reviews and investigates reports and notifications made about disease outbreaks. Since updates are constantly monitored, ProMED-mail encourages people that are exterior to health and biomedical professions to send in reports as well. This site allows for constant updates by subscribers similar to Wikipedia, however it removes the aspects of unreliability by having the site and reports monitored by professionals. As we have learned Wikipedia is an informative location in which to start research however it is not reliable in all cases, so viewers has to check their facts. ProMED-mail does the checking for its subscribers so they can rely on the information on the site in order to start proactive dissemination of knowledge and action plans. The site could potentially us LinkedIn as a resource to do background checks on their subscribers, who have LinkedIn accounts. LinkedIn could allow ProMED-mail to see if their subscribers are knowledgeable in the area in which they are providing information based on their current or previous employment.

           However there is one issue I see with this site, which is such public access could allow for potential misinterpretations of posted reports. For example, the ProMED-mail allows for a stream of reliable disease reports to be made, which could cause undue fear to occur if people were to interpret these disease outbreaks as occurring at pandemic proportions or as new pathogenic strains. In order to prevent this ProMED-mail has to be professional about the way in which they present the facts about diseases in order to dampen the potential for unnecessary fear. Professional writing means providing clear and concise facts on a topic which is accessible to a diverse array of people. Also not using jargon, but words that will not create ambiguity when read by the public is important. I think that after reading some of ProMED-mail's reports they are very professional and allow for readers to understand exactly where the outbreaks are occurring and the specific circumstance regarding that report.

          ProMED-mail is a great example of how social communication mediums can be used to spread and expand knowledge on particular topics for the benefit of the world. Especially in situations where there are pandemic diseases that are spreading globally. The site allows researchers and epidemiologists the ability to finds out everything they can about the pathogen as quickly as possible. Social media allows for quick coagulation of knowledge from all over the world and ProMED-mail is taking advantage of this collection of knowledge. There are many other websites that are also trying to take advantage of these forms of communication. Jenn Wheeler has another great example on her blog about how the Edmonton Human Society (EHS) is using Twitter and Facebook to distribute knowledge about issues related to animal health and pet topics, specifically the pit bull dog breed. As the world moves forward into an era of online directed communication, businesses and associations will have to become connected with services such as Twitter, Blogger, and Facebook in order to reach their target demographic.

References

Fig. 1. ProMED-mail, the Program for Monitoring Emerging Disease. (2010). ProMED-mail, Facebook. [digital image]. Retrieved April 3, 2012. From Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.phpfbid=424486114728&set=a.101 50103826699729.282255.67404479728&type=3&theater 

Wikipedia Stub Entry- Belgian Blue

Figure 1. Image of Belgian Blue bull from Flickr.

Hi ALES 204. Here is a blog about my Wikipedia stub entry.
           Wikis are sites designated for the addition, adjustment, and removal of information via the internet; an example of a wiki is Wikipedia. Wikipedia is known as 'the online encyclopedia', which is a collaboration of information from people willing to share their knowledge pertaining to a particular topic.  Nicole Briggs mentioned in her blog that Wikipedia can be used by professionals, such as researchers, to distribute knowledge and research findings to the public faster. However when people use Wikipedia they have to be conscious of the information they attain from these resources. In an article, Wikipedia Founder Discourages Academic Use of His Creation, Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, says the site should not be used for “serious research”, because the site does not always contain irrefutable sources. Therefore, using Wikipedia as a source of information should be limited to just using it to attain a brief understanding of an issue or topic of interest. When using Wikipedia people should be aware that the information may not be reputable and possibly bias in certain situations. In addition, information is constantly being changed, so users should always check the facts.

          The Wikipedia stub that I decided to work on was pertaining to a breed of beef cattle known as Belgian Blue. I first heard about this particular breed of cattle during a lecture by Dr. Thomas McFadden, the professor for Animal Sciences (AnSc) 311. In this lecture he discussed the physiological changes that can occur in animals when particular genes and proteins are modified. This particular breed of cattle is known for its signature double-muscled appearance, which has been attained by selective breeding. My particular interest in this topic is due to the implications this breed of cattle could have on future meat yields with pure-breeding and cross-breeding with the Belgian Blue.

          My major in Animal Health is food animals, so I am particularly intrigued by livestock, especially cattle. Cattle breeds such as this could be a more efficient meat yielding breed of cattle, which could allow for an increase in meat production. However there could be a public stigmatism that these cattle are unnatural or genetically modified. Nevertheless, this is not the case, as the double-muscling characteristic is due to a natural genetic mutation. So in order for people to understand this, further research and dissemination of knowledge about this particular breed of cattle will have to occur. This would allow a greater understanding of this breed of cattle by the public. Wikipedia could be used in this situation to give the public a clearer understanding on how researchers and breeders are harnessing natural genetic mutations to create superior breeds. However people have to remember to check their facts because Wikipedia is only a starting point. Preview and review papers are a great location in which to look, after your interest in Belgian Blue cattle is captured.

If you would like to learn more about how this particular genetic mutation have come to define the Belgian Blue breed please read my Wikipedia stub.

Figure 2. Image of Belgian Blue Wikipedia stub from Flickr.

References

Fig. 1. kamp-Bambino vd ijzer copy. (2007). Agriflanders, [digital image]. Retrieved March 21, 2012. From Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/agriflanders/5366421733/in/photostream/

Fig. 2. ALES204-Wiki Image. (2012). Bbohlender, Becky Bohlender, [digital image]. Retrieved March 22, 2012. From Flickr:http://www.flickr.com/photos/75305779@N06/7007748879/in/photostream/

Being Professional with Facebook

Hi ALES204. This blog will be pertaining to professional and Facebook page.
          In an attempts to be accessible to all demographics, Facebook has created a page type, which people can use to advertise themselves in a more professional manner. Creating a Facebook page is one way to amp up your online professional persona. A professional Facebook page can work as an online résumé, which can come up when your name is searched.

          As you know from my last blog I am a UofA student, and I still have one more year until I enter the working world, so creating a professional Facebook page now is a great way to get my name out there to start networking. Even if you are still a year or more away from graduating with a degree, networking is important. Networking allows a person to get their name out their for job referrals or research opportunities. A Facebook page is a nice way to put a personal résumé online and make it more readily available. An added bonus about using a Facebook page is that it is free self-advertisement. I have learned from Rheon Fisher, ALES204 Lab H6, that not only is Facebook a good way to get your résumé out there, but it is also a good way to find a job. She made me aware that some companies post their hiring status on their Facebook business page.

          Even if you are already getting interviews, having an online résumé is key because employers will goggle your name and see what comes up before or after your interview. In addition, this article 'So Wasted Last Night': On Facebook and Professionalism, by Nona Willis Aronowitz, states that Facebook is not just a personal social network, especially when you have coworkers added as friends on your page. People should be aware of this, because censoring what you are putting online is important. In addition portraying yourself in a respectable light is critical to being professional. This does not mean lying about what you have done or what you are interested in, but it means being honest about your accomplishments and goals. A good accessible résumé and reference could make the difference between getting your dream job or being the  runner up. Here is an article, by Judi Sohn, that gives people 12 Ways to Use Facebook Professionally; one suggestion was for people to join groups that are related to their business of interest, also being selective about who people they add as friends. I think when making a professional page or even when adding images or comments to Facebook in general people have to ask themselves 'What would my parents or grandparents say if they saw this?'. If you think they would be offended by the words or images then I think it is safe to say those details about your life should stay offline.

          In closing, using online social media can be to your advantage if  you use it properly, and it could be beneficial to your future employment or career if done properly. Check out my page, Becky's Résumé Facebook Page, to see how I made my viral résumé, with a Facebook page.

Figure 1. Image of Becky Anne Anholt's Facebook Page on Flickr.

References

Fig. 1. ALES204. (2012). bbohlender. [digital image]. Retrieved January 27, 2012. From Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/75305779@N06/6770922165/

Becky Bohlender's Introductory Post!

Figure 1. The RDC Queens 2009-2010 Hockey Team. I am 

on the bottom row second player on the left. Image is 

personal picture available on Flickr.

Hi ALES 204! My name is Becky Bohlender and I am in my fourth year of university. Before coming to the University of Alberta I went to Red Deer College for two years, where I had the opportunity to play varsity girls hockey for the Red Deer College Queens. I do not play hockey competitively anymore, however I am still involved in the game, as I play on a campus rec hockey team and help coach a girls’ team in Leduc. I have been at the U of A for two years, taking a degree in Animal Health, majoring in Food Animals. However, I am trying to get into veterinarian school at either WCVM (Saskatoon) or UCVM (Calgary). I am interested in being a large animal veterinarian; even though I am only 5’1’’, I make up for my height disadvantage with a strong passion and willingness to work hard. One thing I love the most in the world is my dog Molly. She reminds me daily why I want to be a veterinarian and how to laugh because she is just so facetious and adorable.

Figure 2. This is my dog Molly; she is 4 years old. She loves 

sleeping by walls because they cool her down and if she 

has to go out , she will let you know by batting the door-

stop with her paw. Image is Personal Picture available on Flickr.

Communication is very important to me, so I understand the increasing drive towards social media because it brings people across the world closer together. Furthermore, personal communication is not always available, however Skype and video conferencing has allowed for international, face-to-face, communication. I personally still have mixed emotions about using online social media such as Facebook and twitter. I do have a Facebook account, which I go on when I have nothing to do or when I am traveling aboard, in order to stay in touch with people from home. Nevertheless, the more discussion, provoking blogs I read the more I get intrigued about the idea of blogging. Nonetheless, I want to learn how to decipher which blogs are discussion focused and which ones are personal diaries or rant blogs. A downside to online media is it allows for misinterpretations of conversations and for people to divulge more than they should about their daily lives almost as though they think the internet is their public diary. However there are blogs emerging, which are moving people in the direction of relinquishing thought provoking information and discussion, which is what I am truly interested in. I have learned that blogs can be used to expose current issues that are in need of public access and discussion, such as the SOPA Bill, discussed in Wednesday's class. There are also blogs which pertain to peoples' interests, for example, veterinary blogs Veterinary Blogs for pet lovers, which gives owners tips on certain issues pertaining to animal care. The interesting thing about this site is that after the article the veterinarian who wrote it puts their signature on it, as if to say it is a professional’s position, which people can comment on. While my local veterinary clinic, Leduc Veterinary Hospital has decided to stay with the times by creating an online site, which gives information about their clinic, as well as provides a monthly news update about animal health issues and helpful links to other sites for companion and agricultural animals.

In closing, I think face-to-face communication is very important to being a veterinarian and for animal health in general because during client consultations a clear and complete understand of symptoms and issues from owners is needed. Therefore, for my field of study to stay current and keep the general public as well as clients informed about issues and solutions, it has to expand to a  form of social media. Communication is very important to my field of study because sharing information between colleagues is very important during conferences, research, disease outbreaks, and grant proposals. For example, I am working on a research project, early disease detection in cattle and swine, as a behavioural coder. Discussion is essential to this project because some of the data is quite old and there are many people helping out with the project, so the coordinators and lead researchers have to communicate what has to be tested and how the data has to be coded, so the project can be successful. Also everyone is not in the same location, so communication via email, phone, and video conferencing has to all be clear and easy to understand. Consequently being able to clearly express and communicate issues or feelings is very important for progress to be made in my field of study. Personally I will be supporting the use of old fashioned verbal communication for as long as I can, however I know that online social media is becoming more and more important. Lauren Bradshaw, from ALES 204 lab H1, and I have similar exceptions for this class. We anticipate this class will to help us explore the internet and teach us how to us it to its full capacity because we know inevitably social media will take over the world.

References

Fig.1. Hockey 2009-2010. (2012). bbohlender. [digital image]. Retrieved January 19, 2012. From Flickr:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6913442874_b05e32aa15_m.jpg

Fig. 2. ALES204-Molly. (2012). bbohlender. [digital image]. Retrieved January 19, 2012. From Flickr:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5076/7059503355_bdd661f89e_m.jpg