“Social Ways of Working in Higher Education” by Dr Kelly Page

I really enjoyed reading this post from Kelly Page (+Kelly Page – Google+ @drkellypage – twitter) . When the message is so strong and the actions that need to be undertaken so clear, the analysis and recommendations need to be clearly stated. Kelly manages this, so well. I wish I’d written it, because there’s not a word in this post that I would disagree with.

Yes, it’s hard to see how it can be achieved sometimes because there’s a load of cultural change that needs to occur in parallel, work practices need to change too, against a background of scarcity of time and resources to embrace change and often little support too for the innovator. However, universities should not believe themselves to be detached from the revolutions in communication technologies and popular engagement that are sweeping the world. It is surely better to lead than be led.

So that’s it for IT Services

Earlier this year, I gave a “farewell presentation” at the Gregynog Colloquium for IT Staff in Welsh HE institutions. The title was meant to be a bit tongue-in-cheek as I was retiring {more no doubt on that later}, but it was really meant to be a “call to arms” – hopefully encouraging my colleagues to look again at what they were doing and considering whether there were different or additional things they should be considering.

Until prompted, last week, I’d forgotten that I hadn’t put it on Slideshare, or blogged about it – rare for me {although there are clear linkages to my earlier post on this site on IT and Strategy}. Now both have been rectified. Hope there’s something of relevance here for you.

[slideshare id=6047000&doc=sothatsitforitservicesorisit-101206050303-phpapp01]