Kyle's Blog

 The Why In my profession, giving step by step directions happens frequently. From how to enter safety observations to adding a new SDS sheet to the site Chemical management website, these functions are extremely important. One of the most important guide of directions I use this tool for is to show people how to properly deenergize electrical equipment so they can perform maintenance. As a part of regular maintenance on equipment the facilities department has to access unprotected areas of equipment. Whether its exposing electrical wires or taking guarding off creating an exposure hazard to moving parts, equipment needs to be properly deenergized before maintenance to prevent these hazard in becoming risks or injuries. The How Organizations prepare "Energy Control Procedures" to give step by step directives on proper and complete de-energization. Not only are these safe practices, but they are critical and required by OSHA. Simply unplugging or turning off equipment is insuf...

  Snip Tool For Windows The windows snipping tool is one of my most used tool. The snipping tool is great for screen grabs when you cannot capture a window or information on your screen. Some uses for the snipping tool are: Capturing error screens that can be useful to IT. Quickly grabbing a section, image or graph of a document that you want to compare or forward to someone via e-mail. Quickly capture an email that you want to keep for your records. I recently did a paper in my Emergency Preparedness class. In the paper, I added this map with community risk level of the county I live in. I found this graph on a website that I used the snipping tool to capture for my paper; I was also able to outline the county I was using as an example. A helpful way to access the snipping tool is instead of searching for the app in the windows section, a keyboard shortcut “windows key+Shift+S” pulls up the tool quickly.

 As I think more about PLN's and their value to a profession, I can't help but realize the value that I can pass on to others looking into my profession. From new graduates to those looking for a new start in a new profession, a PLN would be a great starting point. If I were to have known about PLN's as someone who was changing careers, the transition and learning phase would have been a lot shorter. Surrounding yourself with individuals who hold knowledge that you want to add is invaluable. Gaining knowledge from forms of learning besides formal, structured learning environments such as tacit learning from those in a PLN is a great resource in ones professional development.