Seeing and speaking to students about life after college and graduate school is a wonderful opportunity. I always learn from them and am inspired by the idealism and new ideas they share with me.
Universities provide a wonderful, safe learning space, that we should all try to reconnect with when we can.
Last night I spoke to students at Washington University's George Warren Brown School of Social Work about communications and in particular social media. I asked them to envision themselves as the one bringing some new ideas and strategies reflective of a new dawn in technology to the non-profits to which they are affiliated. I shared the shift in how stakeholders want to be reached, and a way to think about each stakeholder.
I shared that their talent, energy and familiarity can really help non-profits make a difference today.
I know one has already found me on LinkedIn and others are bringing their new ideas to the organizations where they are doing practicums. New thinking and new energy is exciting to see, and those who are committed to a life helping others, even better!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Education: The Great Shift
On-line text books, Smartboards, digital-based homeschooling, experiential education, Open Source Ware -- these are forces washing through the education world that are amazing to watch.
Just as Abraham Lincoln educated himself with books, today all of us can educate, expand and broaden our horizons on-line.
I walked into a room in our house yesterday to see a short YouTube tutorial on a certain algebra problem being worked with markers and highlighters to supplement an on-line text book. The short clip completely reinforced a concept learned in a classroom setting. In fact, MIT offers more than 1,200 courses on-line, free of charge. Syllabus, lecture notes, lectures -- all of it!
How will all this change schools? The way they are built, how they schedule the days? What about the university world? Will more degrees be offered on-line from major universities? What about the cost structure? What about the professors? Who will they be and how will they stay current and relevant in this new world? Will people still choose universities? Will university costs continue to rise quickly?
Watching the shift in education closely, right here at home ....
Just as Abraham Lincoln educated himself with books, today all of us can educate, expand and broaden our horizons on-line.
I walked into a room in our house yesterday to see a short YouTube tutorial on a certain algebra problem being worked with markers and highlighters to supplement an on-line text book. The short clip completely reinforced a concept learned in a classroom setting. In fact, MIT offers more than 1,200 courses on-line, free of charge. Syllabus, lecture notes, lectures -- all of it!
How will all this change schools? The way they are built, how they schedule the days? What about the university world? Will more degrees be offered on-line from major universities? What about the cost structure? What about the professors? Who will they be and how will they stay current and relevant in this new world? Will people still choose universities? Will university costs continue to rise quickly?
Watching the shift in education closely, right here at home ....
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Higher Education As A Mindset
The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis has been instrumental in forming a regional collaboration, St. Louis Regional College Access Pipeline Project, to look at how we are preparing young people for higher education. On October 7, the organization will join with other area organizations to host "Beyond High School: Building Better Futures."
It starts with creating a mindset that "College is a Goal," but that is only a start towards the preparation necessary to not only be academically prepared, but navigate the process, afford the education and have the persistence to graduate.
It's great to be a board member for an organization that is looking at not only the scholarship and loan process but all the pieces that surround it to help ensure that we will have the most successful students in the next generation.
As the world continues to shift, we need to keep looking for ways to help our students adapt, and adapt ourselves to the monumental shifts in the world. Creating a young adult with the resourcefulness to find the answers, the foundation to ask the right questions and an ability to determine what is going on in any situation he/she is placed will be the measure of our collective success!
It starts with creating a mindset that "College is a Goal," but that is only a start towards the preparation necessary to not only be academically prepared, but navigate the process, afford the education and have the persistence to graduate.
It's great to be a board member for an organization that is looking at not only the scholarship and loan process but all the pieces that surround it to help ensure that we will have the most successful students in the next generation.
As the world continues to shift, we need to keep looking for ways to help our students adapt, and adapt ourselves to the monumental shifts in the world. Creating a young adult with the resourcefulness to find the answers, the foundation to ask the right questions and an ability to determine what is going on in any situation he/she is placed will be the measure of our collective success!
Friday, September 18, 2009
Inspiration - Just Start
Inspiration and new ideas often come from thoughtful conversation and good listening. I just had the opportunity to see the co-founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, at Webster University in St. Louis.
To hear of his obsession with maps growing up, learning about how he got into programming, listening to his tips on start-ups was inspirational!
Immediacy, Transparency, Approachability - are the principles upon which Twitter was founded. Along the way, listening to users helped them to crystallize some of the features that make Twitter, Twitter.
He hinted at some new ventures applying some of these principles and learnings to some of our country's most pressing issues: in the health care and financial sectors.
Dorsey was born and raised in St. Louis, and is truly one of our region's best ambassador as we move towards a new innovation-based economy, one built on the promise of small entrepreneurial companies leading the way in job creation. Jack ended with "Just start." Indeed, we should.
To hear of his obsession with maps growing up, learning about how he got into programming, listening to his tips on start-ups was inspirational!
Immediacy, Transparency, Approachability - are the principles upon which Twitter was founded. Along the way, listening to users helped them to crystallize some of the features that make Twitter, Twitter.
He hinted at some new ventures applying some of these principles and learnings to some of our country's most pressing issues: in the health care and financial sectors.
Dorsey was born and raised in St. Louis, and is truly one of our region's best ambassador as we move towards a new innovation-based economy, one built on the promise of small entrepreneurial companies leading the way in job creation. Jack ended with "Just start." Indeed, we should.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Innovation Is Welcome Here
What are the ingredients that go into creating innovative ideas in a community that drive business creation and make a region a great place to live? Lots to do... arts, culture, a variety of interesting people, banks who will lend, venture capital, great universities... (And, yes, a significant body of water seems to be an important variable...)
Perhaps it is places to go where new ideas are welcomed such as the Youthbridge Wash U/Social Entrepreneur Competition and its series of events.
Tomorrow, I am going with a colleague, Cyndee Blank @cyndeeblank, of Emmis Communications, to see the co-founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, at Webster University. Jack @jack grew up in St. Louis, and I want to ask him about how we can create a more innovation-focused region, what he would do to make transformation here, and, at the same time, what are the values and education that he took with him that he got right here in St. Louis?
Every day I meet a new person doing something interesting and innovative right here in St. Louis. This week's example: An IT guy creating a new digital educational software company. It's here, you just have to open your mind and put out your Innovation Is Welcome Here sign. @ahawkcollinger
Perhaps it is places to go where new ideas are welcomed such as the Youthbridge Wash U/Social Entrepreneur Competition and its series of events.
Tomorrow, I am going with a colleague, Cyndee Blank @cyndeeblank, of Emmis Communications, to see the co-founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, at Webster University. Jack @jack grew up in St. Louis, and I want to ask him about how we can create a more innovation-focused region, what he would do to make transformation here, and, at the same time, what are the values and education that he took with him that he got right here in St. Louis?
Every day I meet a new person doing something interesting and innovative right here in St. Louis. This week's example: An IT guy creating a new digital educational software company. It's here, you just have to open your mind and put out your Innovation Is Welcome Here sign. @ahawkcollinger
Social Entrepreneurism - Urban Studio
A few years ago I met someone who told me of a group of committed individuals who wanted to start an Urban Cafe - as a neighborhood gathering spot and as a way to generate revenue to support youth art programs for neighborhood youth. I watched as they entered the Washington University Skandalaris Center Competition, winning more than$30K to make their dream a reality. I watched as they told countless people of their idea...
In a few minutes I will go to the Urban Studio located a stones throw from Crown Candy Kitchen in Old North St. Louis on 14th Street for their grand opening! It is exciting to see this project up and running and I look forward to watching it grow. Congrats to Phil and Claire and all the team!
In a few minutes I will go to the Urban Studio located a stones throw from Crown Candy Kitchen in Old North St. Louis on 14th Street for their grand opening! It is exciting to see this project up and running and I look forward to watching it grow. Congrats to Phil and Claire and all the team!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Bikes and Walking
Bikes and Walking.... Transportation Enhancement funds for bike and walking trails may be eliminated from FY10 Federal budget with the recent amendments introduced today in the US Senate. This is unfortunate as these funds have provided for a number of projects that promote revitalizing former rail right-of-ways, and promote additional safe paths for healthy activities.
From Micro to Macro... Collinger goes live
From microblogging with Twitter to the big blog, after all people always think I have something to say...
Transforming education for the benefit of all, leveraging new communications tools, inspiring and coaching others will be my focus.
Ran into Karen Carroll, a dynamic woman, who I first met when she bought the radio rights to the St. Louis Rams in 1995, the team's inaugural year in the Gateway City. She gets it done. Her world now is operating Sylvan Learning Centers, a growing business given the need for new ways to help our children succeed in school. Rich discussion on how outside programs can enhance our schools.
Transforming education for the benefit of all, leveraging new communications tools, inspiring and coaching others will be my focus.
Ran into Karen Carroll, a dynamic woman, who I first met when she bought the radio rights to the St. Louis Rams in 1995, the team's inaugural year in the Gateway City. She gets it done. Her world now is operating Sylvan Learning Centers, a growing business given the need for new ways to help our children succeed in school. Rich discussion on how outside programs can enhance our schools.
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