...so some more about "Viral Professional Development", which AFAIK first saw the light of day as an enunciated concept on the blog @injenuity - written by one "jennifer".

This was a fascinating discovery, which I chanced upon virally: as in, I caught it pretty much by chance, because I have an RSS feed from AJ Cann's MicrobiologyBytes site, where he has his del.icio.us links...you get the idea.

In her words:

"I call my strategy, “Viral Professional Development,” or “VPD,” because it is based on the popular definition of “viral,” that refers to a technology, tool, or teaching strategy that is quickly spread from one person to another."

Ummmm...OK, as a virologist I must say that that would actually be contagious, as in "Transmissible by direct or indirect contact; communicable", or "Spreading or tending to spread from one to another; infectious", rather than viral, but no matter - it sounds catchier as is.

Jennifer goes on:

  • The most important characteristic of VPD is that the instructors learn to use the technology largely on their own and with support from each other as the enthusiasm spreads through the institution. ...
  • You do not need a large staff to implement this.
  • You do need at least a few instructors who are early adopters, enthusiastic about learning and testing new technology and willing to share their knowledge, experience, and materials.
  • You cannot spend time worrying about the instructors who refuse to adopt instructional technology. Just let it go. 
  • You MUST build a network for your instructors. This can be developed on any platform you wish, but should have the ability for participants to create profiles, contribute to conversation and share media files. I use Ning because of the ease of use, flexibility, and stability. You could also use a blog or wiki.
  • You must participate in external networking. There is absolutely no other way you can keep up with the technology and quickly find solutions for your instructors. My primary networking source is Twitter.
  • Workshops are NOT the foundation of a successful VPD program. Although they may be one component, you can’t spend a great deal of time planning for workshops, scheduling resources, developing materials and dragging in folks who will just never use the technology.
  • Open. Open. Open. Expect to share everything. Plan to blog, podcast, tag, post and push out useful tips you learn from your personal network. Invite outsiders to participate in your network. Collaborate!
  • Celebrate every success. Spread the word. Pass it up the chain. Let the administration know what you are doing and who’s doing well.

Sound familiar, anyone?  You see all the hallmarks of the successful research-led vision of OUTM in these points?  As in: the complete lack of any such?

Well, then, you are one of the virally-infected - meaning you are an enthusiastic spreader of the gospel according to whoever it is who infected you - and off we all go together.

Bravely and blindly on into the future.

But it should be fun...B-)