Susan Alman Lorna R Kearns Barbara A Frey and Christinger Tomer What is PIM the practice and study of activities a person performs to create store organize maintain retrieve use and distribute information ID: 464947
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Information Overload: Strategies for Personal Information Management (PIM) and More Effective Online Teaching Susan Alman, Lorna R. Kearns, Barbara A. Frey, and Christinger Tomer
What is PIM?
…the practice and study of activities a person performs to create, store, organize, maintain, retrieve, use, and distribute information.-- William JonesKeeping Found Things Found:The Study and Practice of Personal Information Management(2008)
Our StudyResearch QuestionsWhat challenges do online instructors face in managing digital information within the areas of email, computer file management, Web bookmarks, and learning management systems?What effective practices have instructors used in these areas?MethodsAdministered an online survey in the summer 0f 2011 consisting of closed- and open-ended questions about information management challenges and practices related to online teachingSurvey completed by 65 online faculty at 15 different institutions ResultsThe participants in our study reported many challenges managing information in each of the four contexts as well as coordinating among contexts. The selected quotes below exemplify some of these challenges:
RecommendationsEmailReduce or organize select emails with filtersFile by using mail folders labeled for topic, sender, and/or courseRemember to file sent emails Flag emails as high priority or for follow-upAct on incoming email or delete itUse subject line to keep emails clear and briefDesktopCreate folders for each course and subfolders for each semesterWithin subfolders, create folders for announcements, discussions, assignments, FAQsUse file names that include version tracking info (e.g. version number, date, semester)Make regular backupsWebSave bookmarks in a shareable formatAdd notes to bookmarksExplore Web 2.0 tools for bookmark sharing, calendaring, scheduling, and media sharingWhen you upload content to wikis, blogs, or other media sharing sites, keep a copy on your desktopLearning Management SystemKeep backup copies of course files on your personal computer. Create, edit, and save documents on your personal computer before uploading to your LMS.Participate in training opportunities to learn more about the LMS in use at your institution.Cross-ContextAlign folder structure across email, desktop, and Web bookmarks
Information is a source of learning. But unless it is organized, processed, and available to the right people in a format for decision making, it is a burden, not a benefit.--William Pollard
Alignment
Email
Desktop
Bookmarks
Email
“The biggest challenge is in prioritizing which emails are very important or time-sensitive and keeping up with them during the busiest time of the semester
.”
“There are occasions when I KNOW that a message is in the system somewhere, but I can’t find it with automatic searching.”
Desktop
“The main challenge is how to deal with a large and ever increasing number of
files.”
“Many years of accretion make it difficult to maintain consistency over
time.”
“I don't back up nearly as often as I should.”
Web
“The biggest challenge is figuring out a strategy to begin with. Right now it’s hit or miss.”
“I have different bookmarks saved on the toolbars of my different computers.” “Sometimes I just hope that I’ll remember the website.”“Passwords…grrr.”
LMS“Never seems to have the tools I need integrated in a way that I need them integrated.”
Cross-Context“I try to be consistent, but sometimes I'm in a rush and that doesn't happen.”“I slog on and upward, ever reaching for the (seemingly) unattainable goal of organization.”