For this network map, I chose to show the network which is supporting my journey as a Learning & Development professional. Most of this network can be found in my LinkedIn network, although not all.
I placed myself at the centre node of this map for ease of layout, and then categorized the different communities of people who are supporting me on this journey as either work colleagues, former work colleagues, friends and family, and L&D Consultants and other trusted professionals. The closer to the centre of the map and the larger the circle, the more numerous or more influential the community is. On the periphery I’ve also added smaller circles showing the geographical location of some of my network, since some communities in my professional life include colleagues in Canada, the United States, India, and Mexico.
Even though this is a map of my professional network, you will notice some communities who I do not directly work with, including friends and family members who are either close confidants (who I might talk about adult education topics with) and those who provide valuable support. I have included my graduate school cohort and instructors on this map, but have placed this part of my network slightly further away for now since we are still forming and learning about each other. I suspect that this part of my network will move closer to the centre of my map as the weeks move on.
To create this map I used Google Slides and downloaded the product as an image. I used the coolors.co website to help pick a colour palette. To access a version of this map which can be viewed with a screen reader, zoomed in, or to change the font size or colour click HERE.
What parts of this network do we have in common or different? Are there areas of this map which you would like to know more about? I welcome your feedback and questions below.
Nicely presented network map, Andrea.
I’ve been thinking a bit this past week about our online and in-person networks and their relationship to learning. They certainly play a role in formal learning contexts, but seem even more important in our lifelong informal learning journey, As I was reviewing Cormier’s (2013) presentation on Rhizomatic Learning, I pondered his assertion that this kind of learning is especially suited to complex domains. This lead me to the question, “How does an especially large or active network influence our ability to learn and solve problems?”
I recommend watching Cormier’s presentation and considering it in the context of our digital presence and network of connections across contexts.
Cormier, D. (Director). (2013, January 30). A talk on Rhizomatic Learning for ETMOOC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP_abeXxMEM
What a great video/webinar! Thank you for sharing it Russ. One thing that struck me was when Cormier was discussing the importance of digital communites in learning (17:15 – 17:45, 2013) and recalled how his partner (now Dr. Bonnie Stewart, University of Windsor) was studying for her PhD at the time at University of Prince Edward Island, and was the only one in her faculty in her specific field of study. He commented that her community was her online network.
I feel much the same way in my own role, where I am only one of two Instructional Designers in my organization in Canada and one of three in North America, yet my network affords me a larger field of like-minded individuals. Within this larger group of friends and mentors I can share ideas with, ask opinions of, and problem-solve with. Without that larger network (and my closest colleagues) I feel like I would stay stagnant and have much less opportunity for growth.
Cormier, D. (Director). (2013, January 30). A talk on Rhizomatic Learning for ETMOOC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QP_abeXxMEM
Thanks for such an aesthetically pleasing network map and relevant resource links. I did go in to check out Google slides and the ‘drop shadow’ feature that makes your network nodes look 3 dimensional. Very cool! I have used Google drive and docs before, but never any of the other Google programs. So many resources – so little time!! Also, I love the colors.co site. My partner and I write social stories for families to support child and parent development. We don’t have a design background so this resource will be very helpful. Thank you for such a timely suggestion!
I do have a few questions around your map. First, how much collaborative work do you do with teams from other countries. Second, what is the scope of work for a Learning and Development Team in an International insurance and financial services company? Lastly and MOST importantly – are you in a band? I’m intrigued.
Hi there Lara! I have to be honest with you, the person who shared the colors.co site was me is within the Friends and Family > Support area of my network – my teenage daughter! I do have a design background at work, but there I’m working within a corporate-approve colour palette, so having to design my own is very new to me. When my daughter shared colors.co (to help us pick paint colours, actually) it seemed like a good tool to use. I’m always on the hunt for new digital tools so I’ll continue to share them here on my blog.
As for international collaboration, I work for an insurance company with a presence in 70 different countries around the world. When I first started my network was definitely just within Canada, but in the past 5 years I’ve had the pleasure of working with more and more colleagues internationally. I currently have colleagues in Canada, the US, Mexico, Mauritius, and a large group in my immediate team in India. I also work on a global Diversity & Inclusion group which allows me to collaborate with an even larger field. Since everyone I work with also works remote at least 80% of the time, virtual collaboration is the norm and we make use of collaboration tools like Teams, WebEx, and even the dreaded e-mail. My colleagues know that I will always go on camera, even if I’m the only one, as I find that’s the easiest way to express myself. I’ve been working and collaborating remotely for almost six years now and couldn’t imagine it any other way.
As for the band I’m part of, I promise it’s not that cool (although I have a ton of fun and am really proud of it!). It’s called the Ayr Paris band and we’re a concert band in Ontario with around 50 regular members (not bad for a town of 3500 people!). I joined in September and have re-discovered the joy playing clarinet in an ensemble brings me. Because I’m one of the newer band members (some have been in the ensemble for 45 years!) I’m not in many of the videos or pictures, but I did fine one online from our local Santa Claus parade in November. This is something I’m really proud of, so I don’t mind making a bit of a clown of myself online!