Robert Pearl Starks

Robert Pearl Starks

Location: phoenix, arizona

About me

As Vice President of Product Development, I lead cross-functional teams of designers, developers, QA testers and product stakeholders to develop, launch, and improve products customers need and love. 

Previously, I've worked in a variety of leadership roles in education / learning & professional development. Through my experience, I've become accustomed to working across departmental silos and with various stakeholders (executives, end-users, faculty, staff, students / learners, alumni, parents, regulatory agencies, partners and employers) to facilitate collaboration and advance common goals. In my previous roles, I've advocated for student needs and driven organizational change that helped educators do their best work, students thrive in their careers, and employers connect with quality talent.

Despite different contexts, a common theme in my career journey has been to do work that contributes to a mission which improves people's lives. It's also always been important for me to work with an organization whose values align with my own. I'm a listener, empathizer, customer advocate, servant leader, and lifelong learner. I'm never satisfied with status quo, I constantly strive for "better," and I'm driven by genuine curiosity to solve complex problems.

“Work to become; not to acquire.” -Elbert Hubbard

Interests

social media, career development, training, higher education, web 2.0/3.0, career services, leadership, marketing

Skills

social media, marketing, training, consulting, management, strategic planning

Activity

This is an well-done Infographic that shows data about non-profit online education and for-profit.  

Does any of the data suprise you?


Social Learning Occurs by Default or Design

Social interactions contribute to workplace learning whether by default or design.  Businesses certainly consider the layout of a work area, the location of departments, or even the type of furniture that will be used to design a workspace keeping in mind how it will impact social interactions among employees and consequently, productivity. 

 

Social Learning: Making it a Part of the Formal Professional Development Plan

Employees often consider how social interactions will play a role in their professional development which is why things such as attending conferences, joining professional associations or participating in… >>>

@dbfuller :In your comments, you emphasized the use of digital learning tools as being important to incorporate to "meet students where they are" so I wanted to make you aware of this older post that you would likely be interested in: Top 100 Tools for Learning 2012

 

I found this excellent video entitled "The Rise of Narcissism."  It is 10 minutes in length and poses extremely interesting questions and presents amazing data.  It suggests a correlation between the boom of social networks and the rise of narcissism as a trait of this generation.  WATCH VIDEO HERE.  (If hyperlink doesn't work, copy and paste the link into your browser to watch www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3613361.htm)

Interesting quote in the beginning of this video:

"It's as though identity now is externally created, not generated from within.  It's derived from how many hits you've got.  It's how quickly you can>>>

@Smotherb : I noticed the following statement, "The presentation provided some worthwhile information, but was by and large basic information supported by conventional wisdom."  I would play devil's advocate and suggest that understanding how the brain functions when humans procrastinate is not conventional wisdom as most don't research procrastination in-depth enough to understand what is happening in the brain and what parts of the human brain cause us to make decisions to delay action that we realize is important.  I like that Vick takes the time to explain what is happening in the brain.  I think if we understand the… >>>

Vik Nithy gives an insightful TEDxTalk that explains why human beings procrastinate and how we can overcome procrastination.  This video presentation provides a great tool to teach students to overcome procrastination to be successful as a student

 

Watch this excellent presentation!

Service learning programs represent a unique learning model with benefits for multiple constituents including the students who participate in such programs, the recipients of the service efforts, and the hosting community.  What are some of the benefits of service learning programs that can be realized?

 

5 Benefits of Service Learning Programs

  1. Expands community relationships - Just like any organization; schools operate within a business ecosystem in which an institution is supported by a foundation of interdependent organizations and individuals.  Service learning programs require that schools develop relationships with their fellow community partners to produce mutually beneficial outcomes.  Through service
  2. >>>
John, Your approach is great. Asking your target audience for feedback is the best way to deliver what they need/want and to understand their expectations for using the Facebook platform. You are off to a great start! Robert Starks Jr.

Here is a video interview about the study James Sangiorgio referenced.  I ask you all the same question asked to Psychologist, Jean Twenge - what's the answer?

 

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