Critical Reflection on The Networked Professional Reader

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Cooperation refers to an act or working together for a particular purpose, by doing what someone requires you to do. Robert Axelrod (1984) a Professor of Political Science believed in the importance of cooperation and the benefits of fully cooperating with others to achieve maximum benefit s. Axelrod argues that there are important patterns and common interactions that if used strategically can produce effective and expected outcomes. If Axelrod is correct, this concept offers me a route into achieving my career goals by maximizing the potential of the people I have in  my current network who will be able to assist me and move me closer to my goals. I am slightly skeptical of this theory because I think different situations result in different outcomes. For instance what if the mutual goal of both parties involved was to be the sole beneficiary, what then would happen? I don’t think a “TIT FOR TAT” strategy would work allowing for both parties to reach their goals.  In a case like this, is cooperation not just a fight to the top, a dual of survival? If we had what we wanted, would there be a need for cooperation? In order for cooperation to be relevant, at least one party has to have a want or need of something that the other may obtain.  I think in order for cooperation to be effectively fostered I have to establish the purpose, intent, how I then can be an asset and what do I have to offer. I value A. Einstein perspective on cooperation “I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving” Albert Einstein (1879-1955).   I believe that we rely on the cooperation of other people in order to have the potential of advancing. By not cooperating there is a stalemate. We also increase the probability of people wanting to work with us in the future because they are aware that together certain goals can be achieved

Affiliation is a concept in the field of social psychology that seeks to explain why humans ‘form close relationships’ (Crisp & Turner, 2007 pp266). By forming close relationships and associating with other humans we form a “human web” to access information and provide support. Crisp & Turner believed “the theory of affiliation suggests that we have an innate need to network”. I think affiliation starts as early as birth; we develop maternal and paternal bonds that are cultured into our psyche. I wonder if those less reliant on these bonds become more self-reliant having less need in their adult life for affiliation, or do they just later try and forge these affiliations with other individuals? Crisp and Turner posed the question of “If experienced and influential individuals are likely to be at their preferred level of affiliation, why is it common for them to still assist younger, less experienced individuals?”  I was very interested in this because I think about how to get more experienced practitioners to assist me. I think it is common for experienced and influential individuals to assist younger less experienced individuals for a variety of reasons, to give back and repeat the cycle of someone who once gave to them, they do not pose as direct competition, and it subconsciously elevates them? I have come to the conclusion that there could be many reasons which one cannot assume. There is a common phrase “it’s lonely at the top” so maybe it is just for companionship. I have experienced through my affiliation with people on a professional level that nodes or bridges of communication have been formed allowing introductions to be made granting me access to third parties. To further my needs of advancement in my field of professional practice I will look at the social circles that represent the kind of person I would like to be associated with. To attract individuals I can benefit from into my network I will look at how to market myself successfully.

Social construction is a key concept of sociology. It refers to the way that we construct meanings as humans. We construct meanings of the world and the experiences of it through social interaction with others. Networks are large social constructions. We construct our networks by the choices we make, resulting in their evolution, giving them significance and purpose. This concept offers the notion that we have a measure of control which enables us to take ownership of the self-development of our future new and existing professional networks. I think when we construct our professional networks we cannot predict how or when we are going to benefit from it. By developing ideas with others you add a skill that you don’t have. I think you become more influential as you know more people and people may come to you because they know you have a large source of contacts.

Connectivism developed from the field of computer science looks at how technology impacts learning through connections of information such as sources or nodes. The ability to learn is more crucial than what is currently known. Connectivism provides an answer about how people connect and learn from inside their networks. As learning is constantly evolving, the theory of Connectivism implies that the tools we use for learning are nodes in our network that provide information to transition into a different level of understanding. Therefore nurturing and maintaining connections is essential to facilitate continual learning. Peter B.Vaill (1996, p42) suggests “learning must be a way of being – an ongoing set of attitudes and actions by individuals and groups that they employ to try to keep abreast of the surprising, novel, messy, obtrusive, recurring events…” . I think the more resources you have the more you have access to knowledge, similar to having a library of various books as oppose to one book.

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Communities of practice are “a group of people who share an interest, a craft, and/or a profession. The group can evolve naturally because of the members' common interest in a particular domain or area, or it can be created specifically with the goal of gaining knowledge related to their field.” (Lave & Wenger 1991) In order to advance our professional networks we need to share information and experiences with other people. Communities of practice result knowledge sharing and knowledge creation. The value of belonging Community of Practice is the network of people can aid you by giving their experiences and opinions. The benefits are accessibility to information becomes easier through collaboratively pooling solutions with other people. You are able to analyse trends evolving and emerging from the exchange of information. There are various web based tools for collaboration like Instant messaging, Group E-mail, Wikis, Document sharing and online survey. I believe people in your Community of Practice are more likely to know about your specific field of professional practice and able to further you in that field, unless “everyone is after the same thing which can lead to people becoming secretive and not sharing what they know” (Ross Dunning). I think you find this with a lot of people who are trying to gain the same employment as you. You often have to negotiate trade and barter with information in order to gain information. You often find that people who do not pose you as a direct competition to you in your Communities of Practice will often give you information more freely.

http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/data/files4/133682/The%20Networked%20Professional%20Reader.pdf

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