Learning in Digital Context (Reflection #2)

  This weeks topic was about focusing on PLE's (Personal Learning Environment); why someone would want one, how to create and expand on your PLE. In one of the articles that was assigned, titled; A Networked Student i couldnt help but find similarities between myself and the student. Although as a University Philosophy student my learning environment is similar to Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), a teaching method which involves assisting teachers by controlling the management of educational courses for students. Prior to taking ADED 1P32 i did not realize i already had a PLE - that it was a real educational method.

  Typically after a Philosophy lecture i would  complete the assigned readings then explore the internet to expand on what I have learned. I would view Sparknotes, an excellent tool to help one understand concepts within texts, i would also look up the philosopher on wikipedia just to gain some background information of them. I would also search the book or philosopher on youtube to hear opinions or recorded lectures on the subject. I obviously havent gone to the great lengths of the student in the article but i have been using PLE's for a few years before i really even knew what a PLE was.

  In this weeks lesson I gained my first experience in creating WordClouds. I have made web diagrams in the past for presentations so it was not difficult to create one for explaining my PLE. WordCloud is a fun way to express ideas, objects, scenarios, etc... It would be fun to present this to the Hospice i volunteer at and maybe inspire patients to learn how to create their own WordClouds,writing  things down can be extremely therapeutic. Its fun, its easy, and is an excellent tool for expression.

In Regards To My Future PLE...

Personal: From 5-10 years from now I hope to encounter more PLE's, as i grow so will my PLE. For example, just recently my friend advised me to create a LinkedIn account. I feel like i need to gain just a little more work experience. With LinkedIn it will allow me to communicate with other Hospices, or Funeral Homes so that once im finished school i will have gained connections which could in turn may provide significant job opportunity.

Learning:  Once ive gained more experience I would like to create a LinkedIn account. It will expand my PLE through communication and gaining connections. Through communication with individuals who share an interest in Hospice or Funeral work they can provide pointers or tips. Also the completion of this program will expand my knowledge on PLEs and the Digital Environment.

Environment: My learning environment cant solely rely on the digital world. I would like to visit the library more and read books or librarians to gain more knowledge.

Enclosed are my PLE Web and WordCloud:

The Beginning (Reflection #1)

Hello fellow classmates of ADED 1p32, and Dave!

My name is Kylee C and like all of you i attend Brock University but major in Philosophy.
I have been asked countless times, "what could you do with a degree in Philosophy", well for starters it has opened up my eyes and my mind allowing me to be truly conscious of the world around me. I have developed through my 5 years as a Philosophy student the importance of understanding different cultures, ethics, metaphysics (the stuff beyond ordinary physics, various beliefs), phenomenology - why things are the way they are (through the exploration of Freud, Darwin, Heidegger) which involves not just 'theories' or 'arguments' but scientific evidence, and other ponderous realms within Philosophy.

With this degree it will grant me a greater chance of attending Mount Royals Funeral Directing Program (Calgary, Alberta) or potential work at a hospice as a spiritual advisor. ADED 1P32 will grant me the abilities to increase my knowledge of the digital world. The funeral directing program i intend on taking is all online, the article and quiz on Netiquette were extremely beneficial, they allowed me to take one step further in presenting myself through the web.

Also while currently volunteering at Niagara Hospice, i will be able to teach patients Netiquette and the  beauty of leaving a digital footprint before leaving us. This grants the patient to tell their story, reflect upon it, update if necessary (e.g. by creating a Google reader or alert account). By leaving a digital footprint you are never truly gone, and that is something i would like to share with hospice patients and their families, in a way it allows the family to still visit them through the digital world during times of need. At the Hospice i want to be able to teach the importance of leaving a positive footprint - not just for the benefits of their family, but also for themselves. They can share their life experiences and lessons which can potentially lead to the discovery of another person going through a similar life journey which may lead to a genuine bond. If the patient wishes to keep their footprint private i will also be able to provide the educational tools to do so. Djainslie, author of "Yes, you should have a digital footprint…and keep track of it" provided excellent tools to keep track of your footprint; it has taught me a number of ways to keep record of ones privacy, maybe a patient would like to express their personal work on blogger.com with a privacy lock over facebook or myspace.  

So far i truly am enjoying and benefiting from this program, i am looking forward to starting week 2.