Weekly Report and Reflection Post #2

   Well it is hard to believe that another week has flown by and I am already posting my second weekly reflection!  It has again been a very educational and fun weekly experience! So over the past few days I have learned that we each have our own Personal Learning Environment (PLE), a Personal Learning Network (PLN), and the advantage of having access to the "Web 2.0" to build on them. Additionally, which was my most favourite activity of the session was using the programs Wordle and Popplet.  No joke... now I understand the warning about spending to much time on them!  It was so much fun I showed my little sister.  I thought why not pass on some of my new personal learning tools and help her build and increase her PLE!  Below is a copy of the Word Cloud I made from my first weekly reflection blog.  I believe it really communicates and portrays the message of a digital footprint for the reasons of both shape and font size of certain words used.  This will definitely be an  instrument that will be added to my personal toolbox.

Word Cloud 

Reschke, A. ©2015.

 

       So what in fact are our PLE and PLN defined as?  Well... I have recently learned there are quite a few definitions for both of these terms.  However, the one's that seemed clearest to me stated that a PLE is a set of digital tools we use to aid and control our learning experience (Lalonde, 2012).  Furthermore, our PLN is defined as a community of learners you select to connect, interact, and communicate with (Lalonde, 2012).  Now when I first started to think about my personal tools and networks, I will confess I got a little nervous.  Nonetheless as I started to write down the tools I have used, or am currently still using, I realized maybe my "Mind Map" might not be that empty!  In fact I had several tools to include in my PLE chart, some of which were just recently learned thanks to our course in the last couple of weeks.   Anyway, as far as I'm concerned we are just at the start line, so I have ample time to add to my PLE and PLN over the next ten weeks.  I currently organized my  mind map with four subtitles.  These included connecting, research, socializing, and creating.  I additionally discovered that I use many of these tools on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis.   One tool that is quite important to me on a social basis is Skype.  I use this Web 2.0 digital technology to talk to my best friend who is currently going to school in Ireland.  This tool is definitely beneficial for us both socially. 
      I also watched an interesting video this week called Welcome to My PLE! This YouTube video explained how a 7th grade student was utilizing her personal learning tools and networks in a class environment.  One tool that stood out to me that I probably should consider adding to my PLE is a tool that helps bookmark and organize websites in one location.  An additional tool I felt would be beneficial to me was the note taking program.  It helps store information, notes, and web addresses that you collect up or may need for future projects.  I like the idea of everything being in one location!

I have come up with a formula that makes sense to me so far...not that I'm an expert in math by any means.  This may need editing along the way J

PLE (Web 2.0 + PLN )= Effective Digital Citizen

Mind Map of my PLE  

Reschke, A. ©2015.

       Now I would like to briefly reflect on my personal, learning, environment and habits in order to create an effective PLE!  Personally in the next five to ten years I would like to have a full time job which I really enjoy, however one that also consists of some challenges.  I know you may be thinking to yourself why would I want that... it is because I don't like being bored.  I would also hope to be well on my way to being engaged or getting married, and possibly have my own home!  This is much different to how I am living now because I am still in school, only have a part time job, and I'm not married.  As for learning, I would definitely hope to have completed my degree, created better study habits, and become more charismatic about learning.  Sometimes I find it hard to enjoy school and the learning aspect of it due to the pressures and workload involved.  I believe one of the best ways to change my learning environment would be to join study groups.  I actually think that this course is somewhat like a study group.  Just a little larger with all of us sharing our experiences and learning from each other.  Well that's all for now everyone.

Take care all!

Alex

Drexler, W. (2009) Welome to My PLE! Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1421914688&x-yt-cl=84503534&v=YEls3tq5wIY#t=88

Feinberg, J (2013) Wordle. Retreived from http://www.wordle.net/
Lalonde, C. (2012) Twitter, PLEs and PLNs. Retrieved from http://clintlalonde.net/2012/08/10/twitter-ples-and-plns/

Retrieved from http://popplet.com/

Weekly Report and Refection Post #1

      So now that you all know a little about my upbringing, interests, and future goals posted below, I would like to reflect on what I have learned this week through the readings, setting up this blog, and videos I watched about Digital Citizenship.  First of all, I found the YouTube video titled Digital Dossier by Treyvaud (2008) very interesting and educational.  I had actually never ever thought about or realized that we have a digital footprint even before we are born.  As I began to think about this I became conscious of the fact that I had quite a large digital footprint prior to birth.  When my mother was pregnant with me, it was a high-risk pregnancy.  As a result, she had numerous ultrasounds and tests that left me with a pretty big digital footprint trail. So do I want a digital footprint?  The answer for me is I don't think I had a choice in the matter, but it definitely was a positive start to my digital footprint.  The second piece of information I learned and indeed stood out to me were the core rules of Netiquette.  I can relate very well to rule one.  This might be part of the reason I was kind of turned off of the cyber world for a while.  I believe it is really important to respect others opinions and remember if you wouldn’t say it to their face, don’t write it online.  
       
       I was also quite amazed and informed after reading about the nine elements of digital citizenship (Ribble, 2011).  The one titled “Digital Law” really peaked my interest.  Often parents, children, youth, and adults are very naive and uneducated when it comes to the legal responsible of taking part in the digital world.  I remember back in high school when students were sending each other very inappropriate texts.  One valuable fact that teenagers should be aware of is that if a nude or semi-nude photograph of an individual under 16 years old is text, the action could fall under child pornography (Ribble, 2011).  I believe every person who uses digital technology could benefit in some way from a crash course revolving around the citizenship of a digital world.  An additional element of digital citizenship that stood out to me was the one regarding Digital Communication.  I certainly can understand why educators are being confronted with hard choices regarding the usage of cell phones during school.  As I reminisce about the day my parents finally decided to purchase me a cell phone, they too were very concerned about this form of technology being a distraction during school and at home.  Today many professors are not allowing the use of cell phones or computers during lecture.  I know you may be thinking...am I serious.  Truthfully, this is not really an area I struggle in.  I never have actually depended fully on these digital communication tools. I still physically write out my lecture notes in class through the "vintage way" of paper and pencil.  Many of my professors prefer this method because it is less distracting and they state people retain information better this way.  

       Finally, I passed my Digital Driver's Licence with flying colours!  However, just like it is when we pass our G1 licence, its the beginning in learning how to drive so I'm sure I have a lot more to learn in the next 11 weeks.  Well, I will wrap this weekly reflection up by saying I certainly am learning some very important facts about the responsibilities that need to be taken seriously if we want to be a citizen of the digital world! 

Alex 

                                                                      

Common Sense Media Inc. (2015) All Digital Citizens. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/elementary_poster

 Ribble, M. (2011). Digital citizenship in schools (2nd ed.). Eugene, Or.: International Society for Technology in Education.

The Albion.com Netiquette Site. Retrieved from http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html

Treyvaud, R. (2008, Aug). Digital Dossier. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/79IYZVYIVLA

First Blog...A little more about myself!

     Hello fellow classmates in ADED 1P32!  It’s Alex here, and I will begin by stating that I am really looking forward to what this course has to offer in the up coming weeks and ultimately diving into the “digital world”.  However, before I start I will inform everyone that I have never written a blog before, or even participated in the digital blog world.  So hopefully I can make it interesting enough for you all!

     I am currently a second year honours degree student in Sociology with a Concentration in Criminology, and so far have truly enjoyed my university education experience.  Although, I am not going to deny it has been hard work and very stressful at times.  I am 19 years old; even though people consistently tell me I look like I’m 22.  I’ve grown up in “The Garden City” my whole life.  Yet, even though St. Catharine’s is my hometown, I also believe my physical footprints are split between two places…. I will reveal that special place later in this blog.  Including myself there are four members in my immediate family.  I have a little sister who is five years younger than myself.  She is a firecracker and full of life.  I think if you could define the words “small but mighty” her name would be right beside it.  I try to keep my academic life balanced with hobbies and work.  Presently I am employed as a Lifeguard/Instructor for the city of St. Catharine’s.  Most importantly, I continuously make sure I always leave time to stay active! As my mother always informs me, if I don’t exercise I tend too get a little grumpy J.  I also have been training in the combative art of Muay Thai for roughly two years.  I am participating in this sport because I love the physical exercise and also want to prepare for the career choice of my future. Muay Thai has definitely taught me dedication, integrity, respect for others, and lastly a higher degree of confidence.  It is a fantastic workout and a way to learn some offensive and defensive skills of protection.  I also thoroughly enjoy hiking with my family and friends.  I have always loved the wilderness and have appreciated nature ever since I was little boy. Now, drum roll please… Tobermory, Ontario is that special place!! This beautiful northern town located at the end of Highway 6, has always been the golden destination and vacation spot for my family.  When I was eight years old my mom and dad took us camping there and I instantly fell in love with the environment and atmosphere.  It became my little piece of heaven on earth.  I guess I can say it’s a home away from home, and even though that may sound corny, it’s very true.

     My first career choice is law or policing, although if these don't work I have thought about other options.  My best friend introduced me to the world of fashion and all those expensive name brands most of us know about. However, on a serious note fashion and hairstyles have certainly been two of my favourite pass time interests.  Finally, motorcycles are the newest hobby of mine; this past summer I put a good deal of time effort into rebuilding an old CT-70 trail bike with my father.  This gave me the opportunity to learn about the mechanics of a motorcycle and best of all, how to actually drive one.   My father once owned a Harley Davidson and not long after I was born he decided to sell it.  My mom said “Monkey see Monkey do” and that was the end to the chapter on the Harley Davidson Days.  With that being said my mother is slowly, and I mean slowly, warming up to the idea of maybe purchasing one again.  Although, I won’t hold my breath on that one!  Sorry mom if you read this blog. J

     Well it looks like I could go on and on…I will apologize in advance for my long-winded first blog.  It turns out, I actually don’t mind writing in a digital format and joining the world of bloggers!  Take care all, Alex

Hanging out in Tobermory with my best friend!

Reschke, K. ©2014.