I am thrilled my family and I are heading to Florida next week. It's a much-needed break, especially from social media. I plan to blog about our experiences once we return. However, I've noticed that I always have a lot to do the week before a vacation with my friends. Does anyone else experience this?
I'm grateful for Respite week, as it's coming at the perfect moment. I'm excited to disconnect, reduce screen time, and unwind as much as possible. With the halfway point behind us, everyone starts to feel the exhaustion. Since 5/15, we've been continuously learning multiple tools each week. Although it has been quite a lot to handle, we've been doing exceptionally well, and it's satisfying to see.
You've all been so great! Can't wait to hear how you all spent your unplugged week :)
As week seven approaches, I took the opportunity this weekend to reflect on the journey of the past six weeks. When I decided to return to school, I was filled with anxiety. I constantly questioned my choice, to the point where I even delayed my enrollment period. Various factors contributed to my doubts, including mom guilt, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt. What eventually got me through was being in constant conversations with my family and journaling.
I was initially thrilled to commit to the Summer start, but my excitement quickly faded after receiving my first academic paper assignment in a decade. However, I reminded myself of why I enrolled in this program - to enrich my knowledge in the field of Instructional Design and to confidently pursue my purpose. In my Intro to Instructional Systems class, we were tasked with writing a paper about a company that encompasses 25 vocabulary words related to system and subsystems and their relationships. As the deadline approached, I struggled to even begin writing the paper. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't overcome writer's block and self-doubt, leaving me frustrated and even reduced to tears. Sunday came, and the report was due by 11:59pm, and still, I had written nothing. I sat and wrote a poem about self-doubt and its crippling effects, spoke to my hubby about my feelings, and then knocked my paper out in 5 hours. Was I happy with what I submitted? Nope, because self-doubt gives you no room to enjoy small victories. But I got it done, and that's what mattered now.
Over the past few weeks, I've been dwelling on why it might not be the best idea to enroll in school right now. My toddler is highly attached to me and won't go to anyone else when I'm around. I've been worried about how I'll be able to manage for the next two years. However, when I received a notification from Canvas that my assignment had been graded, I was terrified to check my notes and grade. After building the courage to do so, I was relieved to see that I had been putting too much pressure on myself. The assignment wasn't difficult, but my fear of failure weighed me down.
Despite still feeling anxious about each new assignment, it's comforting to know I'm not alone in feeling this way. I'm checking in to say that, six weeks into my studies, I'm thrilled that I decided to embark on this journey. With such a robust support system around me, I have no doubt that I'll be successful. My classmates have been a fantastic source of support, and I feel so lucky to share this experience with them. Thank you for helping me realize that being vulnerable is okay and that perfection is not the goal.
Here's to six weeks down and another six to go! How are you all feeling? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
I changed my blog's layout and color scheme last week. But I will try something new this week since a badge is involved!
If you visited my blog before today. The above image is what you would've seen. Since we were challenged to make something new this week, I explored the gadgets available to enhance my page. In the image above, I only had a basic layout and essential gadgets on the right. Nothing too fancy.
To make my blog more accessible and inclusive, I have made a few changes. Firstly, I have added a Translate gadget that enables readers to translate my content into any preferred language. I'm surprised I hadn't thought of this earlier, especially since my husband's first language is French. However, it's better late than never. Secondly, I have included a list of my most popular blog posts on the left side. This will help new visitors to find a suitable starting point for reading my content. As we all know, the most popular items get the most hits, which is why I usually start there too. Next, I have added our class blog feed on the right side. My aim was to provide convenience for anyone who wants to see the latest from Dr. V without having to navigate away from my blog. Finally, I changed the layout to something a little more subtle regarding the color scheme. I hope you all like it.
Check out the new look below, and let me know your thoughts :)
I anticipated this week's challenge would be the most difficult after seeing the posted prompts. As someone who frequently peruses social media, I am well-informed. Reflecting on the Twitter challenge from last week, I decided that if badges were incorporated and I felt free, I would make an effort to participate to the fullest extent possible.
Whenever I take a break from social media, I find it difficult to let go of Twitter. However, this time around, it was surprisingly more accessible for me. This week has been filled with many sad news and deaths on social media, so I needed to take some time away. I realized I had more free time to spend with my family, take naps, go for longer runs, and do more things around the house. Does social media take up a lot of my time? Yes, especially since I'm taking this class. I want to interact with my classmates, keep up with various communities I'm a part of, and stay updated on the latest trends. The detox also afforded me time to process all the sadness I've consumed from the various sites. I could discuss some of the feelings with my husband and eldest daughter. She is currently consumed by social media for at least 6 hours daily. So being able to reason with her to let her know that it's not only needed but should be good practice to take some time away from social media. I started reading Prince Harry's Memoir, and I must say, wow! I'm genuinely captivated. It's easy for me to sit here and say taking the time away has afforded me more time in "real life" to do other things and that I want to continue implementing a detox ever so often, but we all know it's not that easy.
I experienced a fear of missing out (FOMO) and constantly felt the desire to say updated on current events. This included wanting to know what Messi's fans were discussing. There was often debate between his fans and Ronaldo's fans on the best football player. Still, Messi won the prestigious football trophy with his Argentinian team, something Ronaldo has yet to accomplish with Portugal. Additionally, I was curious about my friends' activities, such as what my best friend posted to her close friends on Instagram and if my classmates were as active on Twitter as last week. I had many questions but resisted the urge to check social media. I kept myself busy with household tasks to distract myself from the lack of social media activity. This made me wonder if I had a social media addiction.
For those who have completed this challenge, how was it for you? What was the most difficult part? Did you last the entire 48 hours? If not, what was the reason? Share you responses in the comment section.
This week was great! I had a lot of fun participating in the Twitter challenge and connecting with my peers. Meme Monday was a great way to start the week, and as someone who works from home, I found a relatable meme that perfectly captured my daily struggle.
On Tuesday, I shared a helpful tool that I recently discovered. The tool I highlighted was Grammarly, which I have found to be quite useful. I wish I had started using it earlier, but as the saying goes, "better late than never." Nonetheless, it's always best to be on time.
Well for #ToolboxTuesday I’ll have to go with Grammarly it’s a GC extension that helps with spelling, grammar, etc. Second, is the color contrast checker. I use this when creating web-based courses to check the ratio of text to background color etc. Ensuring accessibility
On Wednesday, we were all wondering. After hearing from several peers about the wonderful tool that Canva is, I had to make my post about it. Take a look:
#WonderingWednesday I’ve only used Canva for creating newsletters. But I’ve seen multiple peers saying it’s their got to tool for creating content. Is there a YouTube video y’all can share so I learn more about it?
On Throwback Thursday, everyone was reminiscing about old memories and one popular item that came up was the Gigapet. It was a nostalgic experience for all of us. I want to give a shoutout to the entire #eme6414 community, we made Twitter very lively this week!
Friday was #followfriday, and we suggested pages or people for each other to follow. I highly recommend ESPNFC because I'm a massive fan of football (soccer). Additionally, I suggested some PLN chat pages.
To end the week, I wanted to give a shoutout to Huong for #ShoutoutSaturday! See the tweet below for the reason why I chose to highlight her!
Shoutout to @HuongJeanTruong for always sharing helpful resources, providing real-world examples on discussion boards, and creating amazing blogs! Thank you for making learning easier and more enjoyable. #ShoutoutSaturday#eme6414
We've all heard the advice to be cautious about what we post online, as it can have long-lasting consequences. However, do we truly comprehend the reasoning behind this warning? Some may assume it means refraining from sharing compromising photos, avoiding using profanity, or even just not causing embarrassment to one's family. Yet, the issue runs much deeper. With the ease of signing up for internet and social media accounts, we often unknowingly relinquish our personal data and privacy by agreeing to terms of use without fully understanding the implications. In a recent discussion, we explored the topic of privacy and reflected on our feelings regarding the lack of control over our data. We also considered how this affects our internet usage and interactions.
To begin answering, let's share a question asked by a peer on Twitter.
When I came across the question, it reminded me of the numerous updates that I have had on my iPhone, and I couldn't help but chuckle. I recall receiving the terms and conditions via email, hoping to read through them before agreeing, but I never do. I simply scroll to the bottom and hit "Agree." I clearly remember trying to read through the terms of use once, but the technical jargon included in the Apply section had me Googling too much to comprehend it, so I gave up. Reyman argues that this is a common issue as many users lack the technical knowledge to make informed choices, resulting in them allowing their data to be used without their consent (Reyman p. 522). This is a significant concern for creatives who want to retain ownership of their work on a specific platform, but the lengthy and complex social media terms act as a barrier that must be overcome to ensure they receive proper compensation.
The rise of data mining has impacted my internet usage, although not to the extent of some people I know. With the increasing fear of consequences, individuals have become more cautious about leaving a digital footprint. As an example, upon searching for myself on Google, the top results show my college track record. This information doesn't trouble me personally, but it can be alarming for individuals who stumble upon sensitive details such as previous addresses, phone numbers, and work history. However, what's even more concerning is when you google something and then see advertisements for it on your social media feeds. This realization dawned on me when I saw something I had searched for on Instagram pop up on my Facebook feed. At the time, I couldn't explain why it was happening or what it was called.
I find Web 2.0 to be a valuable resource as it provides me with easy access to information. Additionally, it allows me to keep in touch with loved ones who are not geographically close. However, I have decided to stop using my Alexa due to concerns I have discovered about its recording and storage capabilities. I believe it is important to thoroughly research devices such as Alexa or Google Home before bringing them into your home. By understanding what you can and cannot control as a user, you can make more informed decisions. It is worth considering whether our desire for convenience will always outweigh our desire for the latest technology.
What is your opinion on the topic of privacy in relation to the use of the internet and social media?
What are your thoughts on asynchronous course discussion boards? Love it or hate it? Why? Do you engage in meaningful dialogue with others? Or do you just say “I agree with what Johnnie shared”and keep it moving. We’ve all been there before😅
— Johnnie L. Allen Jr. (@JohnnieLAllenJr) June 14, 2023
A peer of mine tweeted something yesterday that I found really insightful and wish I had come up with myself. Lately, I've been discussing with my friends how I'm really enjoying the discussions in one of my classes, but finding the other class to be less engaging. I've realized that the course structure is quite flexible, which allows us to choose our own path of learning. We're given multiple discussion prompts each week which encourages us to engage in conversations that are not only relevant but also pique our interest. One peer added, "the prompt is crucial in triggering my interest." I couldn't agree more.
On the other hand, I sometimes find it tiring. This is my perspective on other discussions - they can feel obligatory instead of a genuine desire to respond with a thoughtful rebuttal or response. I must say, I am thoroughly engaged with the content of that class because it aligns with my passion. However, I find it intriguing how different the discussions are in this class compared to others. I wish the flow of discussions in other classes were as smooth as here, but unfortunately, that's not always the case. Despite that, I'll embrace diversity and absorb as much knowledge as possible.
I'll post Johnnie's question here for the blogging world:
"What are your thoughts on asynchronous course discussion boards? Love it or hate it? Why? Do you engage in meaningful dialogue with others? Or do you just say, “I agree with what Johnnie shared,” and keep it moving? We’ve all been there before😅"
I've always prided myself on pushing through when times get hard, but this week has been really tough. I recently lost a very close family member and I feel like I haven't been present. I feel like I've just been going through the motions every day, sort of like a robot. I am reading and completing assignments but mentally I am checked out.
I have due dates for reading and papers written in my planner and my wall calendar, yet, I panicked this weekend because I thought our community paper was due tonight. I cried because I thought I let the grief, which is perfectly normal, knock me off my stride. I am not a perfectionist, I never strive to be, however, I find it difficult to give myself grace. I need to constantly remind myself that it's okay to not do something today and put it off tomorrow.
I have not been very engaged with the discussions this week, but I did find time to comment on numerous blogs because that was a goal of mine. If I say I want to get something done, no matter what I am going through I will push through and make it happen. The blogs I've read and commented on were amazing! I'm enjoying our learning community. I finally found the time tonight to sit and read through the discussion board and participated. But I am hoping to find some strength this week to be more of an active participant in the discussions as I am on the blog and twitter.
This week we read an article on crowdsourcing. At first, I was like, "what is crowdsourcing?" I have never heard the term before. But my immediate thought went to Gofundme. This is a way folks reach out to a large audience to chip in, whatever they can afford, toward a big goal. Once a started to read the article and it mentioned "crowdfunding" I noticed I wasn't far off. However, I was definitely interested in how to implement crowdsourcing within the classroom. Before I share my thoughts I wanted to define crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing is the "practice of acquiring information or task inputs from a large number of people." (Wilson p. 400)
As a former educator, I always wanted to try new things and think outside the box especially when teaching Math and Science. My students typically come into my classroom already defeated because they don't have the best relationship with either subject. Thus, my approach was very different from other educators I knew. If a section goal or lesson objectives could be accomplished using a hands-on project or student-led project instead of an exam, I would opt for those instead. I am a firm believer that students learn in many ways than just sitting an exam. Moreover, students being able to apply the skills necessary to achieve mastery is just as important, and quite possibly, could assist in knowledge retention.
Reading this article gave me so much hope for what's to come. It also had me reflecting on my years as an undergrad and how I wished my biology professors implemented a project like the one mentioned. Crowdsourcing can be used at any level with the proper guidance and an educator that is willing to think outside the box and go against the "norm."
What has been your experience with crowdsourcing?
How were you able to distill the information gathered?
Every week I learn something new, but that's a good thing! One of the articles I read this week was focused on Tagging, specifically within a website called Diigo. Simply put, diigo is a social bookmarking that allow users to bookmark and tag web pages. Now I've been an internet user since forever and I've never heard of diigo. Could it a result of not being in school for so long?
Based on our reading this week, I see how a website like diigo can be beneficial in an academic setting. Being able to tag resources to write a paper, or if you're conducting research. This an app I wished we were introduced to in the first week of class. Also, this is a way I could potentially share articles about web 2.0 and how tools we bee introduced to can help to improve our design resources.
Have you hear of diigo before? Have you used it in any capacity?
Well I finally found the "name" that describe the reason I didn't want to integrate my personal twitter with this class: CONTEXT COLLAPSE!
Often times we create our own little social media bubble, using different websites or applications, but Twitter is the one for me. The way in which I engage with my network on Twitter I don't on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
Twitter is where I interact with friends from high school, college and others I met online. Though some people know who I am, I don't have to see them in person on a daily basis. Most don't even have my phone number so they are regulated to just reaching me via the web. For some reason I feel like I can be my full authentic self on Twitter with NO judgement. Well, I should say if I am being judged I am not aware.
Facebook is the app that is strictly for family. I post updated pictures of my daughter at times so everyone can see how much they growing. But if my content from my Twitter ever made it to Facebook I would just crumble and remove myself from the web all together. I think also because my family has this image of who I am, I would never want to alter that with my Twitter antics. Gots to keep it PG!
LinkedIn is a tricky one. I think this site has an unspoken, "professional interaction only," vibe that I rarely post here. I have the app so I'm a professional lurker, haha.. I do repost things at times and congratulate my network on promotions, job changes, etc. Outside of that though, I'm essentially not even there.
How do you feel about context collapse? Me? The feeling is crippling just thinking about it. Maybe I will share my personal Twitter once I graduate from the program!!
This week i've truly enjoyed the introduction of the badges and challenges. I wrote a blog about how motivating they can be for me. So of course I had to see if there are other folks talking about badges on Twitter. Maybe something that shows the pros and cons. Here is what Amy posted and I couldn't agree more. Of course as adult learners you know what you need to do to earn a badge and if you don't then you won't get one so the let down isn't as bad.
There have been studies on the effects of badges in the K-12 school system and the results are as you can imagine. Frankie's Blog Journal not only provides the resource but also elaborates on the appreciation for receiving the blog master badge this week.
As far the challenges, I felt myself getting a bit excited and competitive. Then I remembered, hmm this will be done on social media. Will I step up to the challenge or back down? Will i finally transition from lurker to contributor? Who knows. But at least Christine have given me the best excuse for posting randomly, lol.
#eme6414 who else is thankful for these challenges? It’s keeping my brain focused and giving me purpose in the social platforms so y’all aren’t subjected to my randomness 🤣
Ever wondered how it felt to transition from a lurker to a contributor in a community you've been a part of? Well Web 2.0 Journal's blog is the place to be.While we are on the topic of lurker vs. contributor, what does it really mean to be active? Can a lurker be an active participant in web 2.0? Or does the lurker have to eventually become a contributor to be considered active? I would start with Bits and Pieces blog before formulating an answer :).
How are you using social media apps and sites to be social?
