Ditching my e-portfolio for LinkedIn

I have been reviewing my online spaces and how I use them. One of the decisions I have made is to move from the e-portfolio that I have been maintaining on Wikispaces to Linkedin.

What is the advantage of using open software for e-portfolio?
I kept my e-portfolio on an open wiki from about 2008-2012. I really enjoyed the freedom that it gave me, allowing me to design my content in which ever way I wanted.

It felt very exciting to be modeling to people what can be achieved and I had lots of inquiries and comments about the legalities of having my work openly available over the years. I have written about my experiences, and the challenges of presenting my work as a practicing midwife, especially around the issues of confidentiality of patient/client information: Making practice transparent through e-portfolio (Women and Birth, Vol. 26, Issue 4, e117–e121).


Why I am making the move to LinkedIn
The disadvantage to using the wiki is that I don't feel it has the "professional look" that other platforms such as Linkedin has. The wiki was perfect as a "sandpit", especially in my role as educator. However, now I have more of a corporate role, I feel LinkedIn is a more appropriate space to highlight my professional activities.And as well as providing an e-portfolio capability, LinkedIn allows me to connect with other professionals and provides access to news and information relevant to my work.

 
Downside of LinkedIn? 
For the most part, LinkedIn provides appropriate space for my work. It does have constraints that I have to work within that my wiki never had, which is a little frustrating at times.  And I don't like the vertical structure which forces readers to be forever scrolling down to get to information. However, I do like the guidance it provides which I think is really useful to people who are new to e-portfolio. And the ability to upload evidence of work into LinkedIn makes the platform more than a glorified CV. 

Backup?
One issue that I need to explore is how to back up my work, or download it. I don't know what ability LinkedIn provides to ensure I do not lose my material.

Do you have a LinkedIn account? How do you use it - for professional networking, e-portfolio, or another purpose?

Time to get blogging again?

I have been reviewing and updating my online spaces over the last few days and as a result have been thinking about what to do with this blog.

I haven't posted here for nearly a year and have contemplated posting a "goodbye" post and leaving it here as a record of the work I have done over the last few years.

I have been reticent about blogging over the last couple of years, especially about midwifery, because of my national role as Midwifery Adviser at the Australian College of Midwives. And it has been very interesting to see how my use of social mediua has changed as a result of this change in role - but that's another story.

Meanwhile, I'm thinking I'll pick up with my blogging again. But the question is; should I start up with this one again, or start another blog? And, what should I blog about - should I continue to make it a mix of professional and personal, or focus more on my life outside midwifery? For example, life in Canberra?

What do you think? What would you be interested in hearing about?

It's Human Brochure weekend!

 A few months ago I was selected to join a unique social media campaign that promotes Canberra as a tourist destination.



The idea behind the "human brochure" is rather than static, touristy photos, instead a group of Canberra residents are sent out for the weekend to show off the wonderful activities, sights and events in the Canberra region. Thus, we become a "human brochure", which is a living resource that is more authentic that the usual publicity materials.This "world first" is the idea of Visit Canberra, who are the ACT government's tourist information organisation.

So, this weekend, I am out and about with three guests - Deborah from Canberra, and Mary and Merrolee from out of town. My brief is to explore the Canberra "arts and culture scene" which starts off with a visit to the National Archives tomorrow. I'm sure we'll also end up visiting the region's vineyards, and weather permitting , do some country walking. But who knows...it's all a big surprise!

You can follow my adventures this weekend here on the Human Brochure website: http://humanbrochure.com.au/stream-ch2/human/sarah%20stewart  Or you can check in with where I am, or find out what my guests think of Canberra on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Will social media help Australian midwives become elected onto the Australian College of Midwives' Board?

In the world of Australian midwifery, we are seeing a first - the popular election of Directors and President to the Australian College of Midwives (ACM). Midwives are throwing themselves into the elections with some surprising results.

The ACM is the peak body for midwives in Australia, thus the most influential professional midwifery organization in the country.  Recent changes to the constitution has allowed for the election of Board members by the ACM membership, as opposed to them being nominated and appointed. The first elections are due to close at the end of October 2014.

What I have found interesting is how election candidates have turned to social media as part of their campaigning. I think all of them have their own Facebook page. It is clear that there are candidates who feel comfortable in the social media space and have been using social media for some time. Whilst others have been dragged into Facebook by supporters. In part, I think this has been influenced by Lesley Page, who was one of the first midwives to use social media to become elected to the presidency of the Royal College of Midwives. She has just been visiting Australian midwives so I have no doubt there have been a few people picking her brains.

What I am monitoring is how candidates are using social media. Is it a way of pushing out of information.... a sort of "This is me and this is what I do and think". Or will they use it to generate debate and conversation with midwives? What Lesley did so well with her campaign was to use social media, especially Facebook, to talk to people so they felt they knew her better and could approach her about issues.

So I'll be interested to hear from candidates after the elections about how they believed social media contributed to their campaign. I'll be especially interested to hear from those candidates who do not usually use social media, to find out what "return on investment" their Facebook page had for them.

Have you ever used social media to campaign in an election? What are your tips about "dos" and "don'ts"?

Glad to say I am a "Human"...

 I have been living in Canberra for nearly two years and couldn't be happier.

Canberra has a charm that isn't necessarily visible on the surface which is why so many people say it is boring and soul-less. But to those of us who live here, it has hidden treasures that we're very proud of.

We have amazing little cafes and restaurants, a stunning orchestra, two theaters, out-door cinema in the summer, beautiful walks and outdoors festivals. We're ten minutes drive from local wineries that are growing in reputation and three hours drive from ski fields in the winter. The Farmers' market on Saturday morning is a great way to start the weekend. And if you like the really big shows, it takes only three hours to drive to Sydney.

As one of Canberra's biggest fans, I am delighted to have been accepted to be one of the 101 Local Humans, which is campaign organised by Visit Canberra. The idea is that when ever I am out and about over the next few months, I contribute to a living tourist brochure, giving my views on what's on in Canberra. Here is where you can see my contribution to the Human Brochure. 

The Human Brochure campaign will climax at the beginning of November when we have a weekend with out-of-state guests and spend the time being tourists. I am in the Arts and Culture group and am really looking forward to exploring spaces in Canberra like the Australian War Memorial and National Museum. You can follow what I am up to, as well as the other 100 "Humans" with the #humanbrochure tag. 

I had a couple of reasons for joining this initiative. Firstly, I am such a fan of Canberra and get quite offended when I hear people talk us down (even though I have only lived here five minutes and am not even an Australian citizen!). I'm really keen to share the pleasure I feel about living here. Secondly, I want to learn more about Canberra and take the time to explore the areas that I haven't got around to visiting yet.

Another reason is to explore the use of social media in a different context to what I am used to ie using social media for marketing and advertising, as opposed to education and dissemination of professional information. 

I have already had to think about how I integrate my use of social media with my smart phone, and have had to update my phone so I can start to use Instagram (that was a real shame...NOT!).

I have also been challenged about my attitude to photography. Years ago I had a SLR and was very interested in photography. But as the kids came along, and I moved to a smartphone, I became lazy and now I take more of a "point-and-shoot" approach to photography.  However, there are some amazing photographers amongst the "Humans" and I have been inspired to start thinking again about the quality of the photos I take. I don't know if I can be bothered to move back to a SLR, but I am keen to explore what I can do with the camera and editing apps on my new cell phone.

Do you have any hints, tips or advice about how to take cool photos with a smart phone?

Still trying to get my head around social media and testamonials for midwives in Australia

A couple of months ago, the regulatory body for midwives (and health professionals) in Australia, AHPRA, brought out guidance about the use of social media and testimonials which caused a kerfuffle to say the least. Now that guidance has been clarified and the dust has settled, I have gone back to finalizing the Australian College of Midwives' guidelines for social media so that we can get on and publish them. But having re-read the latest AHPRA advertising and social media guidelines I find myself still in a bit of a dither about exactly what the ACM should be advising its members.

I understand that a testimonial is a "statement that says something positive about, or recommends a midwife’s qualification, care/service/business, character or conduct". This may be solicited or unsolicited. What I cannot get my head around is what AHPRA sees as the difference between a testimonial and a favorable comment posted on a midwife's social media site. I am also struggling to see how birth stories that midwives publish fit into the picture - are they commentary, or could they be perceived as testimonials?

Here is the draft of what I have written so far.

1      Advertising and testimonials

The National Law states that midwives must not use testimonials to advertise their services. A testimonial is a statement that says something positive about, or recommends a midwife’s qualification, care/service/business, character or conduct.  Midwives are not allowed to use testimonials to advertise their services because the testimonial may unduly influence the public,

mis-represent the service, business or midwife, or prevent consumers from making informed choices about their care. In the ‘Guidelines for Advertising Regulated Health Services’ (2014), AHPRA states that midwives “cannot use or quote testimonials on a site or in social media that is advertising a regulated health service, including patients posting comments about a practitioner on the practitioner’s business website.”

Best practice points:

• If social media is used to advertise midwifery practice/business, the midwife should always publish full name and contact details, as well as professional qualifications.
• Do not publish solicited or unsolicited endorsements, testimonials or materials that could be perceived as recommendations in any online space.
• If a woman would like to provide a favourable comment or review of a midwifery service, request that she do this in her own online space. 
• Do not publish a woman’s birth story if it describes or comments on quality of the midwifery care provided.

• For further direction visit ‘Health of the Net (HON) Code of Conduct’ (http://www.hon.ch/home1.html); an internationally recognised standard for health professionals on how to provide online health information to women and families.

Best practice example A new mother wrote a long comment on her midwife’s blog thanking her for the excellent care she received from the midwife. The midwife thanked the mother very much for her lovely compliment, but explained that she had to remove the comment because it could be perceived as an testimonial. Before the midwife deleted the comment, she took a screen shot and saved it as evidence of her practice for the next time she had her Midwifery Practice Review.

 
What do you think? Too conservative, or about right? What would you change and why?

Image: 'Free Social Media Networking Icons - 154 Orange Grunge Stickers'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44071822@N08/4440931283