Tag Archives: 21st Century Human

Mastering the CPD Cycle for Professional Growth

06 Monday Jan 2025

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Mindset

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The Continuous Professional Development (CPD) cycle is a systematic process of identifying, planning, and evaluating your learning and development needs. While traditional models usually focus on a few key stages, this approach includes a crucial step around communication, amplifying the impact of your learning.

I last blogged about the CPD Cycle back in 2015. About time it had a refresh and more detail added as it is an important topic for todays working climate and those wanting to excel in their careers.

I maintain a CPD as a Chartered IT Professional, which is an important aspect of the accreditation is to maintain evidence of what I have been learning to keep current. This is best achieved through the use of a CPD Plan or log.

The BCS has a good guide to CPD and why you should consider it. https://www.bcs.org/it-careers/continuing-professional-development-cpd/.

There are many methods for recording your CPD (Continuous Professional Development) plans available on the internet and through various professional bodies. The CPD Cycle allows you to review your learning and CPD and see what is working and is beneficial and has impact to your work and what is not.

CPD Cycle

The CPD Cycle can be illustrated as:

Each of these steps could be a set of columns in your CPD record in which you record the results of the analysis. This guide suggests some possible data to record to help maintain you CPD. How much you add will always be down to your needs.

Identify

The first step in the CPD cycle is to identify your learning needs. This process is crucial as it sets the foundation for your professional development journey by assessing your current skills, knowledge, and any gaps that may exist. This step involves self-assessment and feedback from peers, leaders or supervisors. Once identified, document these needs in your CPD Plan.

One key aspect on identifying your learning is to pick the top 1 or 2 that will have the biggest impact and concentrate on those. Once you have achieved these goals you can reassess and add to your plan from your identification analysis.

Self-Assessment

Start by evaluating your current skills, knowledge, and competencies. This can be achieved using a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis to help.

  • Strengths: What are you good at? Identify areas where you excel and can leverage these strengths.
  • Weaknesses: Where do you need improvement? Identify gaps in your knowledge or skills that need addressing.
  • Opportunities: Are there emerging trends or technologies in your field that you should learn about?
  • Threats: Are there any external factors that could impact your job performance or career progression?

Feedback from Others

Seek input from colleagues, peers, supervisors, leaders or mentors. They can provide valuable perspectives on your performance and areas for growth. This can be done through:

  • Performance reviews: Regular performance evaluations provide structured feedback on your work.
  • One-on-one meetings: Informal conversations with your manager or peers can highlight areas for improvement.
  • 360-degree feedback: Gathering feedback from multiple sources (e.g. peers, subordinates, supervisors and leaders) gives a comprehensive view of your skills and behaviours.

It is key to see and use this feedback as a positive view on where you need to learn and grow.

Professional Goals

You may already have a forward plan on where you want to head professionally and where you want your career journey to go, or wanting to create one. Align your learning needs with your career aspirations.

Reflecting on your career aspirations involves asking yourself deep, meaningful questions to uncover your true interests, strengths, and goals. Here are some self-reflective questions to get you started:

Understanding Your Interests and Passions

  • What activities or tasks do I enjoy most at work?
  • What topics or industries am I naturally drawn to?
  • Which projects have I found most fulfilling and why?

Assessing Your Skills and Strengths

  • What are my core strengths and talents?
  • Which skills do I excel in, and which do I need to improve?
  • How can I leverage my strengths in my career?

Defining Your Values and Motivations

  • What are my core values and how do they align with my work?
  • What motivates me to perform at my best? (e.g., recognition, achievement, helping others)
  • What kind of work environment do I thrive in?

Envisioning Your Future

  • Where do I see myself in 5, 10, or 20 years?
  • What roles or positions do I aspire to reach?
  • What impact do I want to make in my field or industry?

Setting Goals and Milestones

  • What specific career goals do I want to achieve?
  • What milestones or achievements do I want to reach along the way?
  • How can I break down my long-term goals into smaller, actionable steps?

Evaluating Opportunities and Challenges

  • What opportunities are available for growth in my current role?
  • What challenges or obstacles might I face, and how can I overcome them?
  • Are there any skills or experiences I need to acquire to reach my aspirations?

Seeking Feedback and Guidance

  • What feedback have I received from colleagues, mentors, or supervisors?
  • How can I use this feedback to guide my career development?
  • Who can I seek advice or mentorship from to help me achieve my goals?

Job Requirements

Consider the specific requirements of your current role. What are your main job duties and what learning do you need in order to achieve success in the role?

Main Role

  • Daily Tasks: What are the core tasks you handle regularly? Identify areas where you perform well and areas that could benefit from more training. This might include technical skills, soft skills, or specialised knowledge.
  • Performance Metrics: How is your performance measured? Understanding the criteria used for your evaluations can highlight areas for improvement.
  • Feedback & Self-Assessment: Reflect on feedback from supervisors and colleagues, and conduct a self-assessment. This can provide insights into specific skills or knowledge gaps.

Organisational Goals

Are there any organisational goals that need to be considered when creating your learning plan?

  • Strategic Priorities: What are the strategic goals of your organisation? Identify how your role contributes to these goals.
  • Skill Gaps: Determine what skills are necessary to support these objectives. Focus on acquiring or enhancing these skills through training and development.
  • Cross-Departmental Insights: Understanding the broader organisational context can help identify interdisciplinary skills that are valuable.

Industry Standards

Are there any industry or regulatory standards that you need to abide, be certified or learn?

  • Regulations & Compliance: Are there any legal or regulatory requirements specific to your industry? Ensure that you stay compliant by keeping your knowledge up to date through continuous learning.
  • Certification & Accreditation: Consider obtaining industry-recognised certifications that could enhance your professional credibility and opportunities.
  • Trends & Innovations: Keep an eye on the latest trends and innovations in your field. This can help you stay competitive and bring new ideas to your role.

Documenting Your Plan

Once you have identified your learning needs, it’s essential to document them in your CPD Plan. This should include:

  • A clear statement of each learning need
  • The rationale for why it is important
  • Specific learning objectives you aim to achieve
  • Potential learning activities or resources to address each need
  • A timeline for completing these activities

Learn

Engage in learning activities that address the identified needs. This could include formal training, online courses, workshops, seminars, or self-directed study. Record each learning event in your CPD Plan, noting the date, type of activity, and key takeaways.

Engaging in learning activities that address your identified needs is a vital part of the CPD cycle. This section involves selecting, participating in, and documenting various learning experiences to ensure your continuous professional growth. Here’s a more detailed exploration of this step:

Selecting Learning Activities

Choose learning activities that are relevant to your identified needs. These can vary widely depending on your field, interests, and learning preferences.

  • Formal Training: Enroll in courses, workshops, seminars, or degree programs offered by educational institutions.
  • Online Learning: Utilise online platforms for courses, webinars, and virtual workshops. Websites like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer a wide range of subjects.
  • Self-Directed Study: Read books, articles, research papers, or industry publications. Stay updated with the latest trends and developments in your field.
  • Conferences and Networking Events: Attend industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events to learn from experts and peers.
  • Professional Organisations: Join professional associations or societies that offer resources, certifications, and learning opportunities.

Participating in Learning Activities

When engaging in learning activities, actively participate and immerse yourself in the experience to maximise your learning.

  • Set Clear Objectives: Before starting, define what you want to achieve from the activity. Having clear objectives will help you stay focused and motivated.
  • Take Notes: Document key points, insights, and questions during the learning process. This will aid in reflection and future reference.
  • Engage Actively: Participate in discussions, ask questions, and seek clarification on any unclear topics. Engaging actively enhances understanding and retention.
  • Apply Learning: Whenever possible, try to apply what you’ve learned to real-life situations or work tasks. This practical application reinforces learning and demonstrates its relevance.

Documenting Learning Activities

Keep a detailed record of your learning activities in your CPD Plan. Documenting helps track your progress and ensures that you’re meeting your learning goals.

  • Activity Details: Record the date, title, and type of learning activity (e.g., workshop, online course, conference).
  • Provider Information: Note the name of the institution or organisation providing the learning activity.
  • Objectives and Outcomes: Outline your objectives for the activity and any key outcomes or takeaways.
  • Reflections: Include your reflections on the learning experience. What you found valuable, any challenges you faced, and how you plan to use the new knowledge or skills.

Continuous Improvement

Learning is an ongoing process. Regularly review and update your CPD Plan to reflect new learning needs and opportunities. Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or supervisors to identify areas for further development. By continuously engaging in learning activities, you ensure that you remain up-to-date with industry trends and maintain a high level of professional competence.

Reflect

Take time to reflect on what you have learned. Consider how the new knowledge or skills can be applied to your job. Ask yourself questions such as:

  • Was the learning experience valuable?
  • How can I integrate this learning into my daily tasks? Document your reflections and any potential applications in your CPD Plan.

Reflecting on your learning is a crucial step in the CPD cycle. It allows you to critically assess your experiences, draw valuable insights, and plan how to apply new knowledge and skills.

Reflection Process

Reflecting involves thoughtful consideration of your learning experiences. This process helps you understand the relevance and impact of what you’ve learned.

  • Immediate Reflection: After each learning activity, take some time to jot down your initial thoughts and reactions. What did you find interesting or challenging? How do you feel about the new information or skills?
  • In-Depth Analysis: Dive deeper into your learning experience. Evaluate the quality and relevance of the content. Think about how it aligns with your learning objectives and professional goals.

Key Questions for Reflection

Ask yourself reflective questions to guide your thinking.

  • What did I learn?: Summarise the main points and key takeaways from the learning activity.
  • Why is it important?: Consider the significance of the new knowledge or skills. How does it relate to your job or career?
  • How can I apply this?: Think about practical ways to integrate the learning into your daily work. Are there specific tasks or projects where you can apply these insights?
  • What challenges did I face?: Reflect on any difficulties you encountered during the learning process. How did you overcome them, and what could you do differently next time?
  • What feedback did I receive?: If you received feedback from peers or instructors, consider how it aligns with your own reflections and how it can inform your future learning.

Documenting Reflections

Recording your reflections is essential for tracking your progress and planning future learning activities.

  • Summary: Write a brief summary of the learning activity and its key points.
  • Personal Insights: Document your thoughts and feelings about the experience. What did you find most valuable or challenging?
  • Applications: Outline specific ways you plan to apply the new knowledge or skills in your job.
  • Future Actions: Identify any additional learning needs or actions you need to take based on your reflections.

Sharing Reflections

Consider sharing your reflections with others. This can enhance your understanding and provide additional perspectives.

  • Discuss with Peers: Share your insights with colleagues during meetings or informal discussions. This can lead to collaborative learning and knowledge exchange.
  • Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback on your reflections from mentors, supervisors, or peers. Their input can help you refine your thoughts and identify areas for further development.
  • Write a Blog Post: If you have a professional blog, share your reflections and how you plan to apply your learning. This not only reinforces your understanding but also contributes to your professional reputation.

Continuous Improvement

Reflection is not a one-time activity. Make it a regular part of your professional practice. Continuously evaluate your learning experiences, document your insights, and use them to inform your future CPD activities. This ongoing reflection ensures that your professional development is dynamic, relevant, and aligned with your evolving goals.

Communicate

After reflecting on your learning, think about how you can share this knowledge with others. Communication is a crucial step that enhances the overall impact of CPD. This stage amplifies the impact of your learning by disseminating valuable insights and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Importance of Communication

Sharing your learning benefits both you and your community.

  • Reinforces Learning: Articulating your knowledge helps solidify your understanding and identify areas for further improvement.
  • Encourages Collaboration: Engaging with others fosters a collaborative environment where ideas can be exchanged and built upon.
  • Enhances Reputation: Demonstrating your commitment to professional development can enhance your reputation and career prospects.
  • Supports Others: By sharing your insights, you help colleagues and peers improve their skills and knowledge.

Methods of Communication

There are various ways to communicate your learning experiences, each with its own advantages.

  • Team Meetings: Share your insights during team or department meetings. This allows for immediate feedback and discussion.
  • Company Newsletters: Write articles or summaries of your learning experiences for your company’s internal newsletter. This reaches a wider audience within your organisation.
  • Social Media: Use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or professional forums to share your learning journey and recommendations. This not only spreads knowledge but also builds your personal brand.
  • Presentations and Workshops: Conduct presentations or workshops to teach others what you’ve learned. This interactive method encourages engagement and questions.
  • Mentorship: Mentor colleagues or new employees by sharing your expertise and guiding their professional development.
  • Blog Posts: Write blog posts or articles about your learning experiences, insights, and how they can be applied in practice. This can be shared on your professional blog, company website, or external publications.

Effective Communication Strategies

To communicate your learning effectively.

  • Be Clear and Concise: Clearly articulate the key points and takeaways from your learning experience. Avoid jargon and ensure your message is easy to understand.
  • Use Visual Aids: Incorporate visuals such as charts, graphs, or slides to enhance your message and make it more engaging.
  • Provide Examples: Use real-life examples or case studies to illustrate how your new knowledge or skills can be applied.
  • Encourage Interaction: Invite questions and discussions to encourage active participation and deeper understanding.
  • Tailor Your Message: Adapt your communication style to suit your audience. Consider their level of knowledge, interests, and preferences.

Measuring the Impact of Communication

Evaluate the effectiveness of your communication efforts.

  • Feedback: Gather feedback from your audience to understand how well your message was received and whether it was helpful.
  • Engagement: Monitor the level of engagement during and after your communication. Are people asking questions, sharing insights, or applying what you’ve shared?
  • Outcomes: Assess any changes or improvements resulting from your communication. Has it led to better performance, increased collaboration, or enhanced understanding?

Documenting Communication Activities

Record your communication efforts in your CPD Plan to track your progress and ensure you are consistently sharing your learning.

  • Date: When the communication activity took place.
  • Method: The method used to communicate (e.g., meeting, presentation, social media post).
  • Audience: The target audience for your communication.
  • Key Points: The main points or takeaways shared.
  • Feedback and Outcomes: Any feedback received and the outcomes of the communication effort.

Impact

Measuring the impact of your learning is vital for understanding its effectiveness. Evaluate how the new knowledge or skills have influenced your work. Consider both immediate changes and long-term benefits.

  • Monitoring performance improvements
  • Gathering feedback from peers and supervisors
  • Analysing metrics related to your job performance Document the impact in your CPD Plan and reflect on the outcomes to guide future learning.

Evaluating the impact of your learning is a crucial part of the CPD cycle. This step helps you understand how effectively you’ve applied new knowledge or skills and the tangible benefits it has brought to your professional practice.

Immediate Impact

Assess the immediate effects of your learning activities.

  • Performance Improvement: Have you noticed an improvement in your job performance or efficiency? For example, if you learned a new software tool, are you now able to complete tasks faster or with better quality?
  • Skill Application: Have you successfully applied the new skills or knowledge in your daily tasks? Consider specific instances where you’ve used what you learned.
  • Feedback: Seek feedback from peers, supervisors, or clients. Their perspectives can provide valuable insights into how well you’ve integrated your learning into your work.

Long-Term Impact

Evaluate the longer-term benefits and outcomes of your learning.

  • Career Advancement: Has your learning contributed to career progression, such as promotions, new responsibilities, or recognition within your organisation?
  • Professional Growth: Have you gained a deeper understanding of your field or developed new areas of expertise? This can enhance your overall professional competence and confidence.
  • Organisational Benefits: Consider how your learning has benefited your organisation. This could include increased productivity, improved quality of work, or enhanced team collaboration.

Measuring Impact

Use various methods to measure the impact of your learning.

  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Identify specific KPIs relevant to your role and track changes over time. For example, if you learned project management skills, monitor project completion rates or budget adherence.
  • Quantitative Metrics: Use data and statistics to evaluate changes in performance. This could include metrics like sales figures, customer satisfaction scores, or error rates.
  • Qualitative Feedback: Collect qualitative feedback from colleagues, supervisors, or clients. This can provide a more nuanced understanding of the impact of your learning.

Reflecting on Impact

Reflect on the outcomes of your learning and its impact on your professional practice.

  • Successes and Challenges: Identify what went well and any challenges you faced in applying your new knowledge or skills.
  • Lessons Learned: Consider what you’ve learned from the process of integrating your learning into your work. This can inform future learning activities and continuous improvement.
  • Future Goals: Based on the impact of your learning, set new goals for your professional development. This ensures that your CPD cycle is ongoing and dynamic.

Documenting Impact

Keep a detailed record of the impact of your learning activities in your CPD Plan. This helps you track your progress and provides evidence of your professional development.

  • Learning Activity: Describe the learning activity and its objectives.
  • Immediate Impact: Note any immediate changes in performance or skill application.
  • Long-Term Impact: Document longer-term benefits and outcomes.
  • Metrics and Feedback: Include any relevant KPIs, quantitative metrics, and qualitative feedback.
  • Reflections: Record your reflections on the impact and any lessons learned.

Plan for the Future

The final step in the CPD cycle is to plan for your future professional development. This step ensures that your learning journey is continuous, strategic, and aligned with both your personal and professional goals.

Reviewing Your CPD Plan

Regularly review and update your CPD Plan to ensure it reflects your current learning needs and objectives. Is your CPD plan meeting what you set out to do. This is a good time to add any additional learning requirements and remove any that are no longer needed.

  • Evaluate Past Activities: Look back at the learning activities you’ve completed. Assess their effectiveness and the impact they had on your job performance.
  • Identify New Needs: Based on your reflections and measured impact, identify any new learning needs that have emerged. This could be due to changes in your role, industry advancements, or feedback from peers, leaders and supervisors.

Setting New Goals

Define clear, achievable goals for your future learning. Utilise the SMART method for helping set your goals.

  • Specific: Clearly outline what you want to achieve.
  • Measurable: Identify how you will measure your progress and success.
  • Achievable: Ensure your goals are realistic and attainable within your resources and timeframe.
  • Relevant: Align your goals with your career aspirations and job requirements.
  • Time-bound: Set deadlines for achieving your goals to stay motivated and focused.

Identifying Learning Resources

Research and select appropriate resources and activities to achieve your new learning goals.

  • Formal Education: Enroll in degree programs, certifications, or professional courses offered by accredited institutions.
  • Professional Development Programs: Participate in industry-specific training programs, workshops, or seminars.
  • Online Learning Platforms: Utilise online resources such as webinars, tutorials, and e-courses.
  • Mentorship and Coaching: Seek guidance from mentors or coaches who can provide personalised advice and support.
  • Networking Opportunities: Engage with professional networks, attend conferences, and join industry associations to stay updated with trends and best practices.

Creating an Action Plan

Develop a detailed action plan that outlines the steps you need to take to achieve your new learning goals.

  • Activities and Resources: List the specific learning activities and resources you will use.
  • Timeline: Set deadlines for each activity to keep yourself on track.
  • Milestones: Identify key milestones to celebrate your progress and stay motivated.
  • Support Systems: Identify any support you may need from colleagues, mentors, or supervisors.

Monitoring and Adjusting

Continuously monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.

  • Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins to review your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your action plan.
  • Flexibility: Be flexible and open to adapting your plan based on new opportunities, challenges, or feedback.
  • Documenting Progress: Keep detailed records of your activities, reflections, and outcomes in your CPD Plan. This documentation provides valuable insights for future planning and demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement.

Celebrating Achievements

Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way. Recognising your accomplishments boosts motivation and reinforces the value of your efforts. Share your successes with colleagues, mentors, or your professional network to inspire and encourage others.

Further Reading

https://www.bcs.org/it-careers/continuing-professional-development-cpd/.

2025 PKMS Updates: Boost Productivity and Knowledge Retention

02 Thursday Jan 2025

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Technologists Toolkit, Tools

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As 2025 begins, I am again updating my PKMS (Personal Knowledge Management System) to keep up with the latest developments in knowledge management and my own priorities.

One of the key habits that I have been focusing on is micro learning by taking opportunities where I may have spent time scrolling a device, turning the time to be more productive through spending the time on learning and AI is playing a part in this.

I am publishing these updates so you can use this as a pattern to help create your own PKMS and stay informed and ahead of the curve.

What is a PKMS?

A PKMS, or Personal Knowledge Management System, is a structured framework designed to help someone manage and organise their personal and professional knowledge. In today’s world there is a lot of information produced daily. It also serves as a repository for capturing, storing, retrieving information and making it easier to access relevant data when needed.

The primary objective of a PKMS is to enhance a person’s ability to learn, retain, and apply knowledge efficiently.

A well formed PKMS can help provide several benefits:

  • Continuous Learning: With a growth mindset, a PKMS facilitates a structured approach to acquiring, organising, and reviewing knowledge.
  • Increased Productivity: Access to relevant, organised information as you need it, keeping you ahead of the curve.
  • Knowledge Retention: The ability to store and retrieve information as required in an organised repository.
  • Adaptability: Technology, information, and data evolve daily, and it is important to stay informed.

I still believe strongly in separating my personal social and business social, although there is the occasional need for the two to cross. These are the tools that I use. There are lots of other tools available that you could use to build a PKMS yourself. Maintaining a distinction between personal social and business social is important, though there are instances where they may overlap. Here are some tools used for this purpose. Numerous other tools are also available for building a Personal Knowledge Management System (PKMS).

Professional Life

Research

Research is an integral part of my Personal Knowledge Management System (PKMS). It involves gathering information that supports learning and integration into my work. Continuous learning is my key goal of my PKMS to stay ahead as a Technologist. Below is a high-level list of the types of content that I utilise for research and learning.

  • AI
  • Streaming Services
  • RSS Feeds
  • Podcasts
  • TED Talks
  • Web Searches
  • Blog Posts
  • Learning
  • Micro Learning
  • Reading

Some of these are fairly self explanatory as sources. I may expand on some of the sources I use in future posts.

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing in use and works well in my PKMS to enhance the way information is gathered, organised, and retrieved.

AI is a good tool to ask as an assistant when researching, asking questions and can provide a reasonable summary of long documents and papers.

RSS

Some sites have an RSS feed which allows me to pull updates from sites directly into Feedly.

Podcasts

Podcasts cover both audio and video casts that I watch/stream online or download to my phone/media player to listen to when I am on journeys in the car or other transportation methods or out walking the dog. Daily walks with the dog provide a good time to listen to these.

Feedly

Feedly provides an aggregation tool that collects stories from various blogs and websites that I find useful for research and information . This generates a list of stories that can be quickly scanned on a single screen without having to visit multiple sites. Clicking on a story displays a snippet from the source site and provides a link to read the full article, if necessary. Using a series of keystrokes, it is possible to read the headlines, then move through the articles efficiently, stopping and opening them as needed.

Sources can be categorized to allow an all-view or just what’s new in a category.

Thinking Time

Thinking Time covers the time that I spend absorbing the PKMS information coming in from the different sources and then processing and applying it in different ways. It is also good to spend time reflecting on what I have learned and think of different and new ways to use the information and learnings.

Note Taking

I use two tools now for note-taking: OneNote and Obsidian. I favour Obsidian as it uses Markdown, which I use a lot for documentation, and its ability to structure data in a logical way and allows you to query data in an interactive graph.

Being Social

I use several social channels to publish my thoughts as a Technologist. The main channel I use is this blog site.

Blog Site

www.maxhemingway.com is my main published site that I use to share my thoughts, leadership and updates through. From this I send out links to various social channels.

Podcast

My podcast “Technology Couch Podcast” has not had an update for a while , but hopefully this will change soon. This can be found on my blog page and also normal podcast streaming sites.

Social Sites

I use social sites to publish my blog and podcast updates.

GitHub

I use GitHub to store any code or projects that I want to publish externally.

Personal Life

Personal Journal

My personal journals have always been Moleskine plain pocket books, be more recently I have made a switch to using Rhodia range of pocket books with dots. My main reason was on price as Moleskine has risen a fair bit for their products. I have used a couple of Rhodia pocket books since my switch and I actually find the paper a lot better and its slightly thicker which can support more inks without a bleed through to the pages below.

I still favour the Pilot ball ink pens as before in 0.5 or 0.7 size.

No batteries or charging needed for this type of personal journal.

Social Media

To keep my work life separate from my personal life, I use social platforms like Instagram and Facebook for friends and family, ensuring that two-factor authentication and appropriate security settings are in place.

Even with these precautions, it’s essential to remember that anything posted online could potentially become public in the future.

Further Reading

If you are looking for inspiration in creating your own PKMS, Reddit has a great list of PKMS tools that is worth a look and a discussion board on setting up a PKMS.

Previous related blog post:

Stay Ahead of the Curve: Essential Strategies for Technologists to Stay Informed

The Fusion of Tech and Creativity Driving Innovation

11 Wednesday Dec 2024

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Innovation, Technologists Toolkit

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In today’s rapidly evolving world, where technology advances at an unprecedented pace, the fusion of tech and creativity has become a crucible of innovation. This dynamic interplay is not only transforming our lives, businesses, industries, and daily experiences but also redefining the boundaries of what technology can achieve. By merging imaginative thinking with cutting-edge tech, we’re forging new pathways filled with innovative solutions and boundless possibilities.

The Catalyst for Innovation

Creativity is one of the secret sauces driving technological innovation and satisfying the demands of today’s busy world. It’s the visionary and innovative thinking that turns ambitious ideas into reality. Whether it’s developing new software, designing user-friendly interfaces, or crafting compelling digital content, creativity fuels the advancement of technology. The journey from concept to execution requires imaginative thinking, bridging the gap between the abstract and the tangible.

Software Development: Creativity in Code

Consider developing new software, which starts with an idea to solve a problem or improve user experience. For example, creating Slack revolutionised workplace communication. The goal was to simplify communication and make it as intuitive as possible. By blending creativity with technical knowledge, the creators designed a user-friendly interface that mimicked social media’s engaging elements, like emojis and quick responses, while maintaining the functionality needed for professional environments.

User-Friendly Interfaces: Enhancing Accessibility

Creativity is key to designing user-friendly interfaces. For instance, Apple’s iOS succeeds due to its simple, intuitive design. The creativity involved in making technology accessible and enjoyable to use is a prime example of how visionary thinking can turn complex concepts into straightforward, usable products. Developing their touchscreen interface was a creative leap in how users interact with devices.

Compelling Digital Content: Engaging Audiences

When it comes to crafting compelling digital content, creativity is the driving force behind engaging storytelling and immersive experiences. Consider Netflix’s strategy for its original content. Programs such as “Stranger Things” and “The Crown” exemplify not only high-quality production and technical sophistication but also heavy reliance on creative storytelling that captivates audiences. Integrating data analytics to understand viewer preferences and creative scripting to meet those expectations illustrates the perfect harmony of tech and creativity.

Bridging the Gap: Concept to Execution

The journey from concept to execution in any technological project requires bridging the gap between abstract ideas and tangible realities. Developing autonomous vehicles merges advanced technology with creative problem-solving. Engineers and designers collaborate to make these vehicles functional, safe, and user-friendly. Creativity is crucial in crafting algorithms that interpret and respond to the real world in real-time.

The Role of Tech in Unleashing Creativity

Technology enhances human creativity, offering tools like AI, machine learning, and VR/AR. AI generates music, art, and writing, inspiring collaboration. VR and AR create immersive environments, bringing creative visions to life.

The Synergy in Action

The gaming industry combines technology and creativity. Game design involves coding, storytelling, world-building, and character development. Titles like “The Legend of Zelda” and “The Last of Us” show how these elements create engaging player experiences.

The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda series blends complex coding with storytelling and world-building, creating an adventure loved by players globally.

Technical Mastery: Nintendo’s team codes detailed open worlds. The physics engine in “Breath of the Wild” allows realistic activities like climbing, cooking, and tool usage.

Creative Storytelling: The narrative follows the protagonist, Link, on a quest to save Princess Zelda and the kingdom of Hyrule. The story is conveyed through dialogue, environment, music, and gameplay mechanics, providing an immersive experience.

World-Building: The realm of Hyrule encompasses intricate landscapes, dungeons, and characters. Each instalment expands the world’s history and lore, motivating players to unearth secrets and explore diverse areas.

The Last of Us

The Last of Us series by Naughty Dog, published by Sony, is noted for its advanced technical features and storytelling.

Technical Excellence: The game features high-quality graphics and realistic animations, using motion capture to depict characters’ expressions and movements accurately.

Emotional Storytelling: The narrative follows Joel and Ellie navigating a world affected by a fungal infection, dealing with themes such as loss, hope, and survival. The writing, voice acting, and character development add to the complexity of the characters’ journey.

Atmospheric World-Building: The game’s environment features abandoned buildings, overgrown vegetation, and detailed scenery. Each location is created to support the narrative, offering context and atmosphere that engage players in the setting.

Additional Examples of Tech and Creativity in Gaming

Minecraft: This sandbox game lets players build anything with simple blocks, from castles to cities. Its simplicity masks its vast creative potential.

Red Dead Redemption 2: Rockstar Games’ standout title offers stunning visuals, realistic physics, and an immersive storyline in the American frontier, redefining open-world games.

Journey: Thatgamecompany’s “Journey” delivers a visual feast and emotional experience through minimalist design and seamless multiplayer integration without direct communication.

Transforming Education and Beyond

Technology enhances education with interactive tools, engaging learning, and personalised teaching methods, creating an inclusive environment.

Enhancing Education with Technology and Creativity

The education sector is transforming due to technology and creativity. Interactive tools and platforms use tech to make learning engaging and dynamic, simplifying complex subjects.

Interactive Educational Tools

Khan Academy: Offers free resources in subjects like math, science, and humanities with interactive exercises, videos, and personalised dashboards for engaging, self-paced learning.

Duolingo: Makes language learning fun and interactive with gamified elements like levels and rewards. Its short lessons fit easily into daily routines.

Immersive Learning Experiences

Virtual Reality (VR) in Education: VR allows students to have immersive experiences by exploring historical sites, oceans, or human cells in 3D. For example, Google Expeditions provides virtual field trips that support learning about cultures, geography, and science.

Augmented Reality (AR) Apps: AR apps like Quiver transform colouring pages into interactive 3D models. Students colour a page, then use the Quiver app to animate their drawings, enhancing engagement and retention.

Personalised Learning

Adaptive Learning Platforms: Tools like DreamBox Learning and IXL use adaptive technology to personalise education. They assess a student’s performance and adjust lessons accordingly, offering support where needed and advanced challenges for those who excel. This approach allows students to learn at their own pace.

Flipped Classroom Models: Technology supports flipped classroom models in which students watch lecture videos at home and engage in interactive activities in the classroom. Platforms such as Edpuzzle allow teachers to embed questions and discussions within video lessons, increasing interactivity and helping ensure that students understand the material before applying it in class.

Collaborative Learning Tools

Google Classroom: This tool facilitates the efficient distribution of assignments, sharing of resources, and communication between students and educators. It supports real-time collaboration on documents, presentations, and projects.

Padlet: Padlet is a digital board for notes, images, links, and videos. It supports collaboration and creativity, ideal for brainstorming and group projects.

Challenges and Considerations

Addressing data privacy, intellectual property, and automation’s job impact is crucial at the tech-creativity intersection. Solutions must ensure technology enhances, not diminishes, the human experience.

As technology merges with creativity, ethical challenges arise that need careful attention to maintain a positive human experience. Key issues include data privacy, intellectual property, and the job impact of automation.

Data Privacy

Challenge: The increase of AI and data-driven technologies has raised concerns regarding individual privacy protection. Personal data is frequently collected, analysed, and stored by various platforms, often without users’ full consent or understanding.

Example: Social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter gather extensive data on user behaviours, preferences, and interactions. While this data can enhance user experience and provide personalised content, it also has the potential for misuse. The Cambridge Analytica incident demonstrated how personal data obtained from Facebook was used to influence political campaigns, raising significant ethical and privacy questions.

Intellectual Property

Challenge: As AI and automated systems advance in their ability to create content—such as music, art, and literature—the issue of intellectual property rights becomes increasingly complex. A pertinent question arises: Who holds the copyright for a piece of music composed by an AI? Additionally, how can we safeguard the rights of original human creators?

Example: AI-generated art has sparked debates regarding copyright. For instance, the sale of the AI-created painting “Portrait of Edmond de Belamy” at Christie’s for $432,500 raised questions about who should appropriately receive the credit and financial rewards—the developers who programmed the AI or the AI itself. It is clear that legal frameworks governing intellectual property must evolve to address these emerging challenges.

Impact of Automation on Jobs

Challenge: Automation driven by AI and robotics has the capability to change job markets, potentially leading to economic and social adjustments. While technological advancements can generate new opportunities, they may also make certain skills and professions less relevant, thereby affecting employment.

Example: The introduction of automated manufacturing and logistics has led to changes in sectors such as automotive production and warehousing. Companies like Amazon use robots for tasks previously done by human workers, including sorting and packaging. This increases efficiency but reduces the need for manual labour, necessitating a societal move towards reskilling and adapting the workforce to new types of employment.

Algorithmic Bias and Fairness

Challenge: AI systems can reflect biases present in training data, resulting in potentially unequal outcomes. Ensuring fairness in AI is important to avoid discriminatory effects.

Example: Facial recognition technology has more difficulty identifying people with darker skin tones compared to those with lighter skin tones, which can lead to misidentifications. Companies are making efforts to enhance AI fairness, but continuous attention to ethics is necessary.

Looking Ahead

As technology and creativity continue to evolve, their combined potential can drive significant advancements. By leveraging this interaction, new innovations can be achieved, enhancing various aspects of life, work, and communication. The intersection of technology and creativity serves as a foundation for future developments and discoveries. Together, they offer the possibility of a more innovative and inventive world.

Embracing the Future: Tech and Creativity Co-Creating Transformative Experiences

Technology and creativity together can transform our lives. This synergy fosters innovation, enhancing how we live, work, and connect. Here are some examples demonstrating this potential.

Smart Cities: Enhancing Urban Living

Songdo International Business District in South Korea exemplifies enhanced urban living.

Innovation: Songdo is a smart city using advanced technology and urban planning. IoT devices optimise traffic, energy use, and public safety for residents.

Impact: These innovations enhance life quality by reducing congestion, cutting energy use, and ensuring safety. Creative design keeps the city attractive and sustainable.

Healthcare: Revolutionising Patient Care

An example of revolutionising patient care is telemedicine and AI diagnostics:

Innovation: Telemedicine platforms like Teladoc enable remote consultations with healthcare providers. AI tools, like IBM’s Watson Health, help diagnose diseases and suggest treatments by analysing medical data.

Impact: These technologies improve healthcare accessibility, especially in remote areas, and increase diagnosis accuracy and personalised treatment, resulting in better health outcomes.

Education: Transforming Learning Experiences

An example of immersive learning environments:

Innovation: ClassVR offers VR and AR experiences, letting students explore history, conduct science experiments, or travel to space from their classroom.

Impact: These immersive experiences make learning engaging and memorable, helping students grasp complex concepts through interactive methods and boosting enthusiasm.

Workplaces: Redefining Collaboration and Productivity

An example of remote work and collaboration tools

Innovation: Tools like Microsoft Teams and Zoom enable efficient remote collaboration. Virtual reality platforms like Spatial offer immersive virtual workspaces.

Impact: These technologies enhance team collaboration, flexibility, and productivity, and foster creativity through new interaction methods.

Environmental Sustainability: Innovating for a Greener Future

Example: Renewable Energy and Smart Grids

Innovation: Advanced technologies such as smart grids and renewable energy sources, including solar and wind, are being incorporated to develop more sustainable energy systems. Initiatives like solar and wave energy exemplify how innovative methods of energy production and distribution can significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

Impact: These advancements contribute to addressing climate change by encouraging the use of clean energy and enhancing energy efficiency. Moreover, they stimulate further research and development in sustainable technologies, fostering progress towards a greener future.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the powerful synergy between technology and creativity is shaping our world in extraordinary ways. From the dynamic innovations in gaming and education to the transformative impacts on healthcare and urban living, the intersection of these fields offers limitless possibilities.

As we embrace the future, the fusion of creative thinking with technological advancements promises to continually push the boundaries of what is possible, driving progress and enhancing our everyday lives. Let us continue to champion this collaborative spirit, harnessing the full potential of tech and creativity to build a brighter, more innovative tomorrow.

How will you be creative today?

The Impact of Mentorship in Tech Education

08 Sunday Dec 2024

Posted by in 21st Century Human, STEM

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In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and education, mentorship plays a pivotal role in helping to shaping the future of the industry. As technology progresses at a breakneck pace, continuous learning and effective mentorship have become essential components for success. Mentorship not only bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application but also fosters a collaborative environment where innovation thrives.

I am just ending a 2 month STEM mentoring programme where I have been mentoring students through a STEM platform. This has been an interesting and sometimes difficult way of mentoring someone as I am normally mentoring face to face or via a video conference call.

Interesting and sometimes difficult as you don’t really know the person on the other side of the screen as you might normally to help tailor advice and read body language to gauge if your advice and guidance is resonating. You can only ask and respond to questions which make you think longer and harder about the language and tone of your questions and answers, then sending them in and awaiting approval via the monitored and recorded platform. The great thing about the platform I was using was the help and guidance from the central team, stimulating conversation through suggesting topics to discuss for both mentor and mentee.

This experience has been educational to me as I hope as much for the students I have been helping. I have learnt more about considering my responses in a mentoring session and about the value and outcomes of the answers I have given, which I will be taking into my other mentoring sessions.

The main lesson for me has been about being more succinct in a written response and writing in a way to keep it engaging for the students. They wanted to hear about experiences have been and what lessons have been learnt. Tailoring and customising advice and support to help them learn to overcome specific challenges, for instance mastering a new programming language in short paragraphs and not into a book is a good skill for anyone to learn. As the saying goes Keep it Simple!

Looking further a field though outside of STEM opportunities there is a gap of industry mentoring back into education to help bridge the gap between students taking courses and graduating, and joining the business world.

The key benefits of this would be:

  • Personalised guidance and support
  • Bridging the gap between theory and practice
  • Building confidence and professional networks
  • Encouraging lifelong learning
  • Promoting diversity and inclusion

It would be good to see more of this type of mentoring going on to help fulfil the growing number of vacancies in the tech world and also encourage more students into the field of tech.

Turning Failures into Success: The Mindset of Failing Forward for Technologists

16 Friday Aug 2024

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Technologists Toolkit, Tools

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As technologists, we often find ourselves navigating a landscape of constant innovation, rapid changes, and complex problem-solving. In this dynamic environment, failure is not only inevitable but also an essential part of our journey.

Rather than fearing failure, we can learn to embrace it as a catalyst for personal growth and professional development.

”Failure is another stepping stone to greatness” – Oprah Winfrey

What Is Failing Forward?

“Failing forward” is a mindset that encourages us to view failures as steps toward success. Instead of seeing failure as a problem and something that causes issues and pain with no way forward, look at it as a valuable learning experience that strengthens you going forward. Embrace the failure, learn from it and move onwards.

Learning Opportunities

Every failure provides an opportunity to learn. Whether this is a missed deadline, code bug, or something else, there is always a learning and something for you to gain from the experience.

Reflecting on what you did and what happened can help inform you and allow you to make decisions based on experience gained. Extract the lessons that can help shape your future and if needed write them down so you can refer to them at a later date.

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas A. Edison

Iterative Improvements

Learning from failures allows you to try again and approaching things in iterative improvements and steps brings you closer to success. Even the most successful products and technologies available today went through multiple iterations before reaching their current state.

Resilience

Resilience is build through failing forward and is a crucial skill for technologists, especially in a field where challenges are constant. Developing ability to bounce back, adapt, and keep moving forward helps to build this resilience.

Normalize Failure

Normalizing failure is the hardest step as not everyone wants to see or hear of failure, but most will experience it within their lives. Sharing failure with others and celebrating the learning from it helps to bring a change in talking positively about failure.

It’s okay to stumble; it’s part of the journey, learn from it.

Mastering Storytelling Through Dungeons & Dragons: A Guide for Technologists

21 Friday Jun 2024

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Story Telling, Technologists Toolkit, Tools

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Let’s geek out for a moment. If you’re a technologist eager to master storytelling, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) might just be your secret weapon. Whether you’re a seasoned player from your school days or someone who’s never rolled a twenty-sided die, there’s something in D&D for you. And if you’re new to the realm of tabletop RPGs, buckle up for an adventure that’s as educational as it is entertaining.

D&D is a fantasy table top role-playing game (RPG) where players embark on imaginary adventures within a fantasy setting. A player designated as the Dungeon Master (DM) serves as the game’s referee and storyteller, while also maintaining the setting in which the adventures occur, and playing the role of the inhabitants. Players each create characters to represent themselves within the game, making choices for their characters and engaging in a structured yet open-ended storytelling experience. The outcomes of the characters’ choices are determined by the rules of the game, how the DM tells the story and player choices guided by dice rolls which add an element of chance to the proceedings. It provides a unique blend of structured rules and spontaneous storytelling which allow for an immersive gaming experience that encourages creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Storytelling is an essential skill in the world of business and technology. It’s not just about conveying information; it’s about engaging your audience, sharing experiences, and inspiring action.

For technologists, whose work often involves complex concepts, data and understanding the customers business needs and outcomes. The ability to tell a compelling story can be the difference between being heard and being overlooked.

Enter Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), the classic fantasy role-playing game known for its rich narratives and imaginative gameplay. You may be familiar with D&D and it may seem like a something that should be dismissed, however it is a powerful tool for honing the art of storytelling and building your skills.

If you get an opportunity to try, it is worth a go. If not there are lots of good videos on YouTube with games you can watch and learn from.

Also worth noting that this Saturday 22nd June is Free RPG Day where you can go to a gaming shop and try out some RPG and walk away with a short free game to play. Some will be available on the internet if your not able to attend an event.

Here’s how playing D&D can transform technologists into master storytellers.

Embrace Creativity and Improvisation

D&D is a game of imagination. Players create characters and embark on adventures in a fantasy world, guided by a Dungeon Master (DM) who narrates the story. This requires a high level of creativity and the ability to improvise, as the narrative can change with each roll of the dice.

Technologists can learn from this by practicing how to think on their feet and adapt their narratives to suit different audiences and situations. Whether you’re explaining a new software feature or pitching an innovative product, the ability to weave a story that resonates with your listeners is invaluable.

Understand Your Audience

A good DM knows their players and crafts a story that caters to their interests and motivations. Similarly, technologists must understand their audience to communicate effectively. By playing D&D, you learn to anticipate reactions, tailor your message, and engage listeners by addressing their needs and desires.

Understanding your audience is a critical skill for technologists including recognising the diverse needs, preferences, and challenges faced by business and the end users. A technologist needs to tailor the approach to the audience’s level of expertise, interests, and expectations using language that is accessible, providing examples that are relatable, and anticipating questions or concerns that may arise. Storytelling provides the way to do this and by putting yourself in the audience’s shoes, you can communicate more effectively, and ultimately, ensure that your story achieves the intended impact.

Develop Empathy

Role-playing in D&D requires players to step into the shoes of their characters, understanding their backgrounds, motivations, and emotions. This exercise in empathy is directly transferable to the world of technology. By understanding the user’s perspective, technologists can create more user-centric products and explain them in a way that highlights their benefits to the end-user.

For technologists, developing empathy is about more than just understanding users’ needs. Developing skills and ability to see beyond the data and algorithm, to the people they impact provides a deeper prospective and helps build a stronger story to tell. It is also important to listen actively, asking the right questions, and being open to feedback.

Collaborate and Build Teamwork

D&D is a collaborative game. Players work together, each contributing their unique skills to achieve a common goal. In the tech industry, collaboration is key. Working on projects, especially in agile environments, mirrors the teamwork in D&D. Learning to collaborate in the game can improve how you work with others professionally, leading to more cohesive and successful outcomes.

Collaboration and teamwork are not just beneficial to a technologist; they are essential. Building a culture of teamwork means fostering an environment where diverse ideas and skills converge to innovate and solve complex problems. A good technologist recognises that the sum of a team’s collective expertise is greater than its individual parts. Using a team to help develop the story and sound/test it on can help push the boundaries of what’s possible and drive technological advancement.

Playing Dungeons & Dragons is more than just entertainment; it’s a training ground for the mind. It teaches technologists to be creative, empathetic, and collaborative storytellers. Playing games like D&D (other RPG’s are available) can help sharpen your storytelling skills as well as having some fun.

Further Reading

Data Storytelling

Green Software for Practitioners

13 Saturday Apr 2024

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Climate Change

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Recently I have undertaken the Green Software for Practitioners (LFC131) course and exam from the Linux Foundation which I found to be an informative course. I decided to write this article as it is a course that I would recommend to IT Professionals no matter what specialism you have. It is also a free course and exam that provides a certificate and digital badge that show you have an understanding of the topic and some principles to apply to help reduce carbon emissions.

The course covers the topic list below in good detail and provides an insight into each area, with a knowledge check at the end.

  • Carbon Efficiency
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Carbon Awareness
  • Hardware Efficiency
  • Measurement
  • Climate Commitments

The exam is 20 questions and requires an 85% pass mark in order to complete.

This course may not provide all the answers but does provide a good level for you to understand the topic.

Further Reading

To provide some further reading on climate change the article linked below is one that I helped write on preparing your business for climate change.

https://www.bcs.org/articles-opinion-and-research/preparing-your-business-for-climate-change

Boosting productivity with a Personal Knowledge Management System for 2024

02 Tuesday Jan 2024

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Mindset, Productivity, Tools

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As 2024 begins I have updated my PKMS (Personal Knowledge Management System) to keep up with the latest developments in knowledge management and my own priorities. You can use this as a pattern to help create your own PKMS and stay informed and ahead of the curve.

A PKMS is a system that can help you manage and organise personal knowledge, which includes information that is relevant to your personal and professional life.

A well crafted and maintained PKMS can provide a capability for:

  1. Continuous Learning:
    • Together with a growth mindset a PKMS facilitates a structured approach to acquiring, organising, and reviewing knowledge.
  2. Increased Productivity:
    • Access to relevant organised information as you need it, keeping you ahead of the curve.
  3. Knowledge Retention:
    • Ability to store and retrieve information as required in an organised repository.
  4. Adaptability:
    • Technology, Information and Data evolves on a daily basis and it is important to stay informed.

I still believe strongly in separating my personal social and business social, although there is the occasional need for the two to cross. These are the tools that I use. There are lots of other tools available that you could use to build a PKMS yourself.

Personal Life

Personal Journal

My go to notebook of choice for Journaling is still the Moleskine plain pocket book and I am on journal number 37, soon to be no 38. Its quality and paper is good enough for my needs and archival quality. I still favour the Pilot ball ink pens (0.5 or 0.7) as they flow nicely on the page. See my blog post No batteries required for further details.

Social Media

In keeping my work life separate from my personal life, I use platforms such as Instagram and Facebook for friends and family with appropriate two factory and security settings in place. Even with those settings you still need to consider that once something is online, it could be public in the future.

Professional Life

Research

This is split into several areas and these are a few of the inputs that I use to grab information, feeds, data from:

  • Streaming Services
  • RSS Feeds
  • Podcasts
  • TED Talks
  • Web Searches
  • Blog Posts
  • Courses
  • Reading

This is a high level list of the types of content that I gain information from for research and learning.

Streaming Services covers platforms such as YouTube. The availability of cameras and online streaming platforms, more content is being made available and recorded by people to pass on their knowledge.

RSS Feeds low my to pull updates from sites into Feedly.

Podcasts cover both Audio and Video casts that I watch/stream online or download to my Phone / Media Player (Audio and Videos) to listen to when I am on journeys in the car or other transportation methods or out walking the dog. Daily walks with the dog provide a good time to listen to these.

The amount of online learning available today is huge from free MOOC’s (Massive Open Online Courses) to paid for course such as Udemy and LinkedIn. Lots of vendors now provide a good level of free training for their products and solutions. This category also covers courses that I can take through work.

Feedly

Feedly provides an aggregation tool which I use to collect the stories from blogs and web sites.  This provides a list of stories that can be scanned tin a few minutes on a single screen without going via multiple sites. Clicking on a story will bring up a snippet from the source site and provide the link to read the source article if required. Using a series of key strokes you can read the headlines, then move down the articles at a reasonable speed, stopping and opening when needed.

Sources can be categorised to allow an all view or just whats new in a category.

Thinking Time

Thinking Time covers the time that I spend absorbing the PKMS information coming in from the different sources and then also process and apply in different ways. It is also good to spend time reflecting on what I have learnt and think of different and new way to use the information and learnings.

Note Taking

I use two tools now for note taking, OneNote and Obsidian. I favour obsidian as it uses markdown which I use a lot in GitHub for documentation, and its ability to structure data in a logical way and allows you to query data in an interactive graph.

Blogging and Being Social

Following my Thinking Time I gather my thoughts and research and write these down through my blogs and podcasts and publish these on Social Media, WordPress and GitHub.

AI

I have not yet introduced any AI to my PKMS, but hopefully in 2024 I will find the right tool to help automate and filter the information I am consuming and keep me on top of my learning.

Further Reading

If you are looking for inspiration in creating your own PKMS, Reddit has a great list of PKMS tools that is worth a look and a discussion board on setting up a PKMS.

Thought Police? It’s all getting a bit 1984

09 Friday Jun 2023

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A new article on the BBC website caught my attention this morning “Warning firms may use brain data to watch workers“. Research and development into the ability to use brain waves and patterns to control things and help people interact with the real world has been going on for some years. Timely as I picked up a copy of 1984 by George Orwell at a jumble sale last month to reread again and am part way through the novel at the moment.

“Brain waves were first discovered in animals in 1875. Hans Berger was the first to record them in humans in 1925. He was so surprised by the results that he did not publish them until 1929 and was met with skepticism for some time. But by the 1950s, EEGs became widespread in its use for detecting brain activity. ”

source www.scienceworld.ca

Fast forward to modern times and Elon Musk is capturing the news with his Neuralink brain chip research into developing a chip that can be placed inside a human head to interface with things. Musk isn’t the only company developing this type of technology and the patents for different techs are being created and filed.

Regulatory bodies and governments are moving at pace to ensure that a good level of legislation, governance and regulation sits across the fast moving technology breakthroughs. There has already been legislation, guidance and strategies published by many countries on emerging technologies such as AI and Quantum Computing.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the UK have previously released insight on Biometrics and is not looking into Neurotechnology.

Are we heading into the world of cyborgs. Most probably yes. There are already products available to hack your body with from magnets to NFC and RFID chips to open doors and make payments which can be implanted into your hand.

Back to the news article I opened this blog with and a number of questions immediately jump out, will companies / governments be able to read our thoughts in the future? Will Thinkpol become a reality? What does this type of technology do to GDPR and other regulations? What is the intersection between AI and Neurotechnology and what is the impact? There are lots of questions like this which are aimed to be looked at in the ICO’s insight into Neurotechnology and other reports and investigations being carried out.

The benefits though to medicine and helping people is huge and all points of view should be considered and well balanced when looking at the pros, cons and regulation of this emerging technology.

Its too early to answer any of these yet however it is an interesting area of technology that is developing rapidly and one to watch.

How to Become a 21st Century Human: Navigating the Digital Age

10 Friday Mar 2023

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In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever to cultivate the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Technology is advancing at a rapid rate – The Digital Era is enabling “A Growth Mindset in the Age of Abundance”’ – keeping up can be a challenge.

Being a 21st century human means being adaptable, flexible, and technologically literate.

So what can you do to become a 21st century human?

1. Embrace Lifelong Learning

One of the most important things you can do to become a 21st century human is to embrace lifelong learning. This means being curious and constantly seeking new knowledge and skills, whether it’s through formal education or informal learning opportunities. In the digital age, new technologies and tools are constantly emerging, and staying up-to-date on the latest trends and developments is essential for staying relevant. Online learning is bringing new opportunities to learn new skills rapidly and through the growth of the internet you can find information quickly.

2. Develop Digital Literacy

Another key aspect of being a 21st century human is developing digital literacy. This means having a basic understanding of how digital technologies work, as well as the ability to use them effectively. Some key digital literacy skills include:

  • Basic computer skills, such as typing, using a mouse, and navigating software programs
  • Online communication skills, such as email etiquette, video conferencing, and instant messaging
  • Social media skills, such as creating and managing profiles, sharing content, and engaging with others
  • Cybersecurity awareness, such as understanding the risks of online behavior and how to protect your personal information

Another Digital Literacy skill you may wish to undertake is to learn a programming language. Not necessarily to become a programmer, but to understand how code works and how to read code. There are plenty of resources online and videos on learning and picking up these skills.

3. Cultivate Soft Skills

While technical skills are important, being a 21st century human also requires cultivating soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. These skills are essential for working effectively in a team, managing conflicts, and adapting to change. Some ways to develop these skills include:

  • Volunteering or participating in community activities
  • Joining a club or organization related to your interests
  • Taking courses or workshops on communication and leadership
  • Build on you Quotients (Using the best of the Q Continuum)

4. Stay Current with Industry Trends

To be successful in the 21st century, it’s important to stay current with industry trends and developments. This means keeping up with news and developments in your field, attending conferences and networking events, and staying connected with colleagues and industry experts. Some ways to stay informed include:

5. Be Adaptable and Resilient

Finally, being a 21st century human means being adaptable and resilient in the face of change. This means being willing to learn new skills, take on new challenges, and embrace new technologies and tools. It also means being able to bounce back from setbacks and failures, and to persevere in the face of obstacles.

Becoming a 21st century human isn’t something that happens overnight, it takes time to develop yourself and change your mindset, but through taking regular steps you can change your habits to be a 21st century human.

Whether you’re just starting out in your career or looking to make a change, cultivating these skills and qualities can help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of the 21st century. (2020 – The Age of Ambiguity)

Further Reading

Digital Mindset Tools – Second Brain

Having the Right Digital Mindset

Knowledge Fit for 2020

How you can begin to Code

Using the best of the Q Continuum

Personal Knowledge Management System – Revised for 2023

Thinking of Blogging?

2020 – The Age of Ambiguity