Welcome back for the last time everyone :(
I cannot believe how fast this semester has flown by! The next step for me is exams, and then GRADUATION!! I have bittersweet emotions towards leaving Brock, but nevertheless, I am excited to start my future.
To start, I googled my name and I can honestly see a big difference since the beginning of the semester. The first thing that I saw was my blog, and then my Twitter account. It is safe to say, that I have left a positive digital footprint thus far. It is amazing to see how much my footprint has grown in just 12 weeks.
Now that I am graduating, having a positive digital footprint is really important as I will be recruited (hopefully) by large companies. As my career goals are to work for a large finance company, I found myself to be very cautious as to what I put on the Internet. Just because there is a delete button, does not mean it is gone forever. No matter that environment you are in, I have learned that you should always be aware of what is being displayed on social media because it can hurt your reputation and your professionalism.
I have taken away a lot of useful information during these 12 weeks and grateful for everyone who has shared this experience with me. For those who are graduating, good luck on your future endeavours. And for those who are continuing their studies, good luck!
Thanks everyone for following me on this journey!
Heidi
Monday 6 April 2015
Monday 16 March 2015
Weekly Report & Reflection Post #11
Hey everyone,
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| https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3025/3042067979_0c66523965.jpg |
Only one more week to go and that means graduation is right around the corner for me! This week we explored some webcasting tools. First we will look at podcasts. Podcasts are audio recordings or soundtracks made on the Internet that can be downloaded or shared with others. The tool that I explored this week was SoundCloud. SoundCloud is podcasting tool that allows you to create, upload, share, and follow others' podcasts. I found this site very easy to navigate, and I even listened to some interesting podcasts that were on the website.
This week we also explored screencasts. Screencasts are digital recordings of your computer, often accompanied by an audio narrative. Before taking this course, I have heard of podcasts, but not screencasts. Once I watched the video on what a screencast was, I familiar with this concept, I was just not aware of this term. Both podcasts and screencasts are great tools to enhance your educational experience. Both tools bring forth a different type of learning experience on a personal level. I personally find it more effective to retain knowledge when I can hear (podcasts) and see (screencasts) the information that is being taught.
I find that these creation knowledge expression tools to be the more successful learning tools. I personally always turn to YouTube videos of screencasts for any technological issues because there is someone navigating you through the entire process. I have even used screencasts to help me use my financial calculator (those devices are really confusing). Screencasts and podcasts are a new way of learning and I would definitely add them to my PLE.
With all the different things we have been creating and sharing on our blog this semester, I have learned that we must protect our own material. I have embedded a Creative Commons licence on my blog this week to protect my work, you should too!
Article of the Week
Since we have been talking about leaving a positive digital footprint in the digital environment, I thought this article would be very fitting: How to debate the big issues on social media. This article talks about the do's and don'ts for debating on issues on the Internet, and the proper etiquette on the Internet.
Until next week (the final week),
Heidi
Sunday 15 March 2015
Weekly Report & Reflection Post #10
Welcome back everyone,
This week we explore the importance of copyrights and Creative Commons, as well as exploring the new tool Animoto. Animoto is a slideshow tool that allows you to create quick slideshows. I really liked exploring all the different templates the website provided, and how easy it was to navigate all the different features. However, I did not like that each slide had a character limit- this made it difficult for me to get my point across about copyrights. I wish that I was introduced to Animoto earlier because the only slideshow tool that I use is PowerPoint. This tool tool is much more appealing and I find more professional than PowerPoint. In my original PLE, PowerPoint was listed under my educational tools, but I will definitely add Animoto to the list as I find this slideshow tool to be more more effective and creative than the features PowerPoint provides.
Animoto and Prezi has contributed to my knowledge in other slideshow tools, but also the importance of using copyright free images in those presentations. Copyrights are legal rights that protect a creator from their work (music, speech, images, artwork, etc.). When something on the Internet is copyrighted, it means that you cannot use it without the owner's permission. I was not aware that just referencing the image or work was not enough to protect you from copyright infringement. Flickr is a great website to get copyright free images from the Internet without violating any digital laws. This week definitely contributed to my learning and understanding of becoming a digital citizen. It is important to be aware of all the rules and regulations that come with the territory using information and images we retrieve online. Copyright infringement can lead to serious consequences; therefore, take the initiate to be informed.
Article of the Week
This week's article on my Feedly refers to copyright infringement that has occurred in the music industry. The famous song 'Blurred Lines' by Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams violated copyright laws by using elements of the 1977 Marvin Gay song 'Got to Give it Up.' Read more about it here: What’s Wrong With the ‘Blurred Lines’ Copyright Ruling.
Until next week,
Heidi Fung
Animoto and Prezi has contributed to my knowledge in other slideshow tools, but also the importance of using copyright free images in those presentations. Copyrights are legal rights that protect a creator from their work (music, speech, images, artwork, etc.). When something on the Internet is copyrighted, it means that you cannot use it without the owner's permission. I was not aware that just referencing the image or work was not enough to protect you from copyright infringement. Flickr is a great website to get copyright free images from the Internet without violating any digital laws. This week definitely contributed to my learning and understanding of becoming a digital citizen. It is important to be aware of all the rules and regulations that come with the territory using information and images we retrieve online. Copyright infringement can lead to serious consequences; therefore, take the initiate to be informed.Article of the Week
This week's article on my Feedly refers to copyright infringement that has occurred in the music industry. The famous song 'Blurred Lines' by Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams violated copyright laws by using elements of the 1977 Marvin Gay song 'Got to Give it Up.' Read more about it here: What’s Wrong With the ‘Blurred Lines’ Copyright Ruling.
Until next week,
Heidi Fung
Friday 13 March 2015
Weekly Report & Reflection Post #9
Welcome back!
This definitely has been a hectic week with all the different posts we had to do, and also learning about a new tool called VoiceThread! VoiceThread is a tool that allows you to use different types of media to create an interactive slideshow- this includes both voice and text. It then allows viewers to leave a comment verbally or written in which others can view or hear. This tool is great for building knowledge as the presenter can share their opinions through the slideshow, but also receive feedback from their peers through their comments.
VoiceThread would be a great tool for teachers to use outside the classroom. Like we did in this week's session, we commented on several slides while also learning from others who left comments. Not only are we learning from the instructor but we are also able to communicate with our peers and receive feedback on a more personal level. I think this is a good method for teachers to mark participation, especially for those students who are too shy to put up their hand in the classroom.
This tool would be categorized as communicative and educational under my PLE. I do not think that will include this in my PLE because I would not have many opportunities to use this in the future. However, I highly recommend this tool for any students in Concurrent Education as this could be a new and effective way to engage students in participating and interacting with each other.
Article of the Week
This week's article on my Feedly tied in with my Technology Use Scenario very well. My scenario was about a boy named Max who was addicted to the internet. This week's article reflected on how society is so consumed with having the 'perfect' social media post. Check it out here: Obsessing over the perfect social media post is ruining your life, study says.
Until next week,
Heidi
This definitely has been a hectic week with all the different posts we had to do, and also learning about a new tool called VoiceThread! VoiceThread is a tool that allows you to use different types of media to create an interactive slideshow- this includes both voice and text. It then allows viewers to leave a comment verbally or written in which others can view or hear. This tool is great for building knowledge as the presenter can share their opinions through the slideshow, but also receive feedback from their peers through their comments.
VoiceThread would be a great tool for teachers to use outside the classroom. Like we did in this week's session, we commented on several slides while also learning from others who left comments. Not only are we learning from the instructor but we are also able to communicate with our peers and receive feedback on a more personal level. I think this is a good method for teachers to mark participation, especially for those students who are too shy to put up their hand in the classroom.
This tool would be categorized as communicative and educational under my PLE. I do not think that will include this in my PLE because I would not have many opportunities to use this in the future. However, I highly recommend this tool for any students in Concurrent Education as this could be a new and effective way to engage students in participating and interacting with each other.
Article of the Week
This week's article on my Feedly tied in with my Technology Use Scenario very well. My scenario was about a boy named Max who was addicted to the internet. This week's article reflected on how society is so consumed with having the 'perfect' social media post. Check it out here: Obsessing over the perfect social media post is ruining your life, study says.
Until next week,
Heidi
Technology Use Scenario
Scenario #15
Max is always on the computer. Except when he is at school, Max is on his social networking sites, video sites, or just surfing websites. He communicates with many people using his social networking sites or texting, but rarely leaves the house. His mother is becoming concerned that he is not seeing his friends or going out. What should Max's mother do?
In this scenario, Max is not showing understanding of digital health and wellness. One of the main issues is that he is becoming consumed with the use of the internet and withdrawing from society. Max is spending the majority of his time on social media and playing video games which can be harmful physically to his eyes and his social life. Also, he can develop repetitive strain injuries from constantly being on his phone or a computer. Although surfing the web and texting can be fun, it is important to take a break from those activities and actually communicate with others in person instead of hiding behind a cellphone. If I were Max's mother, I would take away his privileges from his cellphone or computer for a number of hours during the day. This way, he will learn to focus on enjoying his time with his friends or studies, and also learn to communicate in more effect ways.
This article on my Feedly this week ties in perfectly with this scenario: Obsessing over the perfect social media. It explains how people in society today are more consumed about posting the perfect picture on their Instagram or Facebook than actually enjoying the moment. This article states that 91% of respondents have witnessed tourists miss a great moment because they were too busy capturing it for social media. I can say that I am guilty of being part of that 91%, but after reading about the severity of this issue, I will definitely limit how much time I focus on social media.
Max is always on the computer. Except when he is at school, Max is on his social networking sites, video sites, or just surfing websites. He communicates with many people using his social networking sites or texting, but rarely leaves the house. His mother is becoming concerned that he is not seeing his friends or going out. What should Max's mother do?
In this scenario, Max is not showing understanding of digital health and wellness. One of the main issues is that he is becoming consumed with the use of the internet and withdrawing from society. Max is spending the majority of his time on social media and playing video games which can be harmful physically to his eyes and his social life. Also, he can develop repetitive strain injuries from constantly being on his phone or a computer. Although surfing the web and texting can be fun, it is important to take a break from those activities and actually communicate with others in person instead of hiding behind a cellphone. If I were Max's mother, I would take away his privileges from his cellphone or computer for a number of hours during the day. This way, he will learn to focus on enjoying his time with his friends or studies, and also learn to communicate in more effect ways.
This article on my Feedly this week ties in perfectly with this scenario: Obsessing over the perfect social media. It explains how people in society today are more consumed about posting the perfect picture on their Instagram or Facebook than actually enjoying the moment. This article states that 91% of respondents have witnessed tourists miss a great moment because they were too busy capturing it for social media. I can say that I am guilty of being part of that 91%, but after reading about the severity of this issue, I will definitely limit how much time I focus on social media.
Monday 2 March 2015
Weekly Report & Reflection Post #8
Welcome back!
I mentioned before that Wikipedia has its downfalls, and the main one is that the information is not reliable. Because Wikipedia is a Wiki, anyone has the power to change the information on the database; therefore, the data may be incorrect. I do like using Wikipedia to start a research project because it provides a brief summary of the topic before starting in-depth research. However, an effective way to use a wikis is to compare the information on a wiki database to another valid source (ie. a journal article, or peer reviewed article). You can also validate the information presented on a wiki by reviewing the resources referenced in the wiki.
How 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' conquered the social web is an article that appeared on my Feedly this week that related to this week's topic of wikis. In the article it mentioned that Jon Stewart, a television host, told his viewers to change the facts on Wikipedia about elephants. This article further demonstrates that you cannot solely rely on Wikipedia as a valid source. A Wiki allows anyone (in this case, anyone that tuned into his show that day) to change the information on the wiki. Therefore, it is important to learn how to validate web sources.
Until next week,
Heidi
Another month has gone by, and soon the semester will be over! But we still have a lot more learning to do. This week we learned about wiki's. A wiki is an internet database that allows anyone to view, edit, share, and delete information. One of the most well-known wikis is Wikipedia. I personally love using Wikipedia to help me jump start a research paper because you can access a lot of information on the website. However, Wikipedia does have its downfalls, which I will discuss later on.
We have already been introduced to a wiki on our ADED 1P32 Sakai page when we posted our Twitter handles, our blog URL, and signed up for our research topic! Google Docs and blogs can also be considered a Wiki because it allows anyone with proper access to view and edit the information. Last week we worked with others in a Google Doc to create a presentation where my group members had the power to edit and add information to the project. Most of the tools we have been introduced to such as our blogs, Evernote, and Google Docs have privacy settings that do not allow others to edit the information. However, most of them allow viewers to leave comments.
I mentioned before that Wikipedia has its downfalls, and the main one is that the information is not reliable. Because Wikipedia is a Wiki, anyone has the power to change the information on the database; therefore, the data may be incorrect. I do like using Wikipedia to start a research project because it provides a brief summary of the topic before starting in-depth research. However, an effective way to use a wikis is to compare the information on a wiki database to another valid source (ie. a journal article, or peer reviewed article). You can also validate the information presented on a wiki by reviewing the resources referenced in the wiki. How 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' conquered the social web is an article that appeared on my Feedly this week that related to this week's topic of wikis. In the article it mentioned that Jon Stewart, a television host, told his viewers to change the facts on Wikipedia about elephants. This article further demonstrates that you cannot solely rely on Wikipedia as a valid source. A Wiki allows anyone (in this case, anyone that tuned into his show that day) to change the information on the wiki. Therefore, it is important to learn how to validate web sources.
Until next week,
Heidi
Wednesday 25 February 2015
Weekly Report & Reflection Post #7
Welcome back from reading week everyone!
This week we explored two different collaborative tools on the internet: Google Docs and TodaysMeet. Google Docs is a tool that allows multiple users to view and edit a document at the same time. You can see what others are contributing to the document while you are working on it too. This tool can be used in a variety of ways in classroom learning as well as professional settings. First, Google Docs is a great collaborative tool for group projects. I have only ever used Google Docs for writing papers with a group; however, after exploration, I learned that it can also be used for presentations, spreadsheets, and drawings! Secondly, Google Docs is a great alternative for those that do not have Office installed on their computer. They can simply log onto their Google account and start working on there. Thirdly, the feature that I enjoy most about this tool is that everything is saved automatically- therefore, it saves you the trouble of having to save everything onto your computer. This allows you to access your work on any computer, anywhere around the world!
Although I have used Google Docs in the past, I did not include it in my original PLE diagram because I mainly used it for group project which I did not have at the time. However, I will add this tool to my PLE because of all the benefits that come along with it! It would definitely be categorized as an educational and communicative tool.
This week we explored two different collaborative tools on the internet: Google Docs and TodaysMeet. Google Docs is a tool that allows multiple users to view and edit a document at the same time. You can see what others are contributing to the document while you are working on it too. This tool can be used in a variety of ways in classroom learning as well as professional settings. First, Google Docs is a great collaborative tool for group projects. I have only ever used Google Docs for writing papers with a group; however, after exploration, I learned that it can also be used for presentations, spreadsheets, and drawings! Secondly, Google Docs is a great alternative for those that do not have Office installed on their computer. They can simply log onto their Google account and start working on there. Thirdly, the feature that I enjoy most about this tool is that everything is saved automatically- therefore, it saves you the trouble of having to save everything onto your computer. This allows you to access your work on any computer, anywhere around the world! Although I have used Google Docs in the past, I did not include it in my original PLE diagram because I mainly used it for group project which I did not have at the time. However, I will add this tool to my PLE because of all the benefits that come along with it! It would definitely be categorized as an educational and communicative tool.
Working with two other members this week has definitely contributed to my educational experience. It has improved my communication skills as well as teamwork initiatives. Working in a group with people online is much more difficult than collaborating with people in person. However, I found that it is important to be patient and always check in on group conversations so that you are always caught up. We initially communicated with each other through E-mail and Facebook, but once we were introduced to TodaysMeet, we began communicating through there. This is another tool that I would add to my PLE diagram is TodaysMeet. TodaysMeet is simply an online chat room where you can invite anyone to the meeting spot as long as you share the URL to the room. I found this tool very effective as it allows you to view a chronological transcript of the whole conversation so you can see who you have been communicating with, and the flow of conversation.
Article of the Week
This week's article from my Feedly is about Apple's new Diverse Emojis! Apple has release a sneak peak of their new emojis that will come out in November. These new emojis show a range of ethnicities from Caucasian to Asian, and African American. Apple was aware that their current emojis lack racial diversity so they came up with six different skin tones.
Until next week,,
Heidi
Saturday 14 February 2015
Weekly Report & Reflection Post #6
Hello again everyone,
I hope everyone is enjoying their reading week so far! We are half way through the semester and it definitely nice to get a break from school.
This week we were introduced to a new tool called Evernote. Evernote is a web based application that allows you to gather information which can be synced between various devices. Will this tool you are able to create notebooks pertaining images, web clippings, and even attach files that you could share with classmates. It is a great collaborative and organizational tool! I find that Evernote is very similar to Google Docs in that multiple people can share the same information and edit a project together while on different devices (however you have to pay for the premium application on Evernote for this feature).
At first I had to watch several tutorials on how to use Evernote because it was a bit tricky; however, once you play around with the different features, everything is really easy to navigate. I even downloaded the Evernote app on my iPad so I could save webpages or articles when I am on there. What I like most about Evernote is that the information you put on your notes saves automatically. I think everyone has had the experience of losing an important paper because they forgot to save it, or your computer crashes... With this tool, everything is saved as soon as you start typing!
This tool is a great educational tool that contributes to building knowledge as it allows you to gather information pertaining to any topic in an organized matter, and can be shared with classmates. It is efficient in that all your information can be accessed through one tool instead of having 10 different web links opened. I would definitely add this to my PLE diagram under communication and educational as this tool contributes to your knowledge as well as connecting with others.
I created a notebook on Evernote relating to my research topic "Digital Security," and I discovered many related articles and YouTube videos pertaining to this topic that will contribute to the group project. One thing I learned about being a digital citizen is that it is important to be aware of all the precautions you need to take in order to secure your identity in the digital world. Some valid tips I acquired was creating a STRONG password when needed (use upper and lower case, and numbers), and be aware of what you are trying to access online.
Article of the Week
An article I found on my Feedly this week was very fitting for my research project. The 8 scariest digital security stories of 2014 (so far) is an article talking about some of the most recent incidents in cyberspace. Some of the things that I read were really shocking so it is important to be properly informed and aware on the internet.
I hope everyone is enjoying their reading week so far! We are half way through the semester and it definitely nice to get a break from school.
This week we were introduced to a new tool called Evernote. Evernote is a web based application that allows you to gather information which can be synced between various devices. Will this tool you are able to create notebooks pertaining images, web clippings, and even attach files that you could share with classmates. It is a great collaborative and organizational tool! I find that Evernote is very similar to Google Docs in that multiple people can share the same information and edit a project together while on different devices (however you have to pay for the premium application on Evernote for this feature).
At first I had to watch several tutorials on how to use Evernote because it was a bit tricky; however, once you play around with the different features, everything is really easy to navigate. I even downloaded the Evernote app on my iPad so I could save webpages or articles when I am on there. What I like most about Evernote is that the information you put on your notes saves automatically. I think everyone has had the experience of losing an important paper because they forgot to save it, or your computer crashes... With this tool, everything is saved as soon as you start typing!
This tool is a great educational tool that contributes to building knowledge as it allows you to gather information pertaining to any topic in an organized matter, and can be shared with classmates. It is efficient in that all your information can be accessed through one tool instead of having 10 different web links opened. I would definitely add this to my PLE diagram under communication and educational as this tool contributes to your knowledge as well as connecting with others.
I created a notebook on Evernote relating to my research topic "Digital Security," and I discovered many related articles and YouTube videos pertaining to this topic that will contribute to the group project. One thing I learned about being a digital citizen is that it is important to be aware of all the precautions you need to take in order to secure your identity in the digital world. Some valid tips I acquired was creating a STRONG password when needed (use upper and lower case, and numbers), and be aware of what you are trying to access online.Article of the Week
An article I found on my Feedly this week was very fitting for my research project. The 8 scariest digital security stories of 2014 (so far) is an article talking about some of the most recent incidents in cyberspace. Some of the things that I read were really shocking so it is important to be properly informed and aware on the internet.
Have a great reading week everyone!
Until next time,
Heidi
Sunday 1 February 2015
Weekly Report & Reflection Post #5
Hello everyone,
Today is the first day of February! It is crazy how fast a month of this semester has flown by, and I think everyone is starting to feel the stress of midterms and assignments. This past month we have been building our Personal Learning Network (PLN). Klingensmith defines a PLN as "the entire collection of people with whom you engage and exchange information, usually online." We have been developing a PLN through our blogs, and Feedly, and this week we were introduced to Twitter.
Twitter is one of my most frequently used social media tools. For those who have never used Twitter, it is like a mini blog where you "tweet" your thoughts/opinions in 140 characters. This tool allows you interact with people to follow others and keep up with their tweets that will appear on your timeline. On the right is an image of my Twitter profile- feel free to follow me @heidiADED and do not forget to use the hashtag #ADED1P32 when you create your own tweets!
I have always used Twitter as a way to interact with friends and family, as well as keep up with celebrity gossip. However, this week I learned that this is a powerful educational tool to build knowledge. It allows you to communicate with classmates about important information, and connect with others about a topic through a common hashtag. Twitter can be used to keep up with global events in any industry- it all depends on the people you follow. I began to follow several news stations such as @CP24 and @TorontoStar so I can receive updates on what is happening around the world.
Twitter was a tool that was already included in my PLE from Week 2's session. I included it under the 'Social' category as I mainly used it to interact with friends and family. After learning more about this tool, I would also categorize it as an educational tool along with other curation tools like Feedly and LiveBinders.
After this week's session, I am learning a lot about gaining digital literacy. Twitter is an innovative way to gain knowledge outside of a classroom. Digital technology is a great alternative to traditional learning styles and I think that this tool a great way to get started. It includes all aspected of digital literacy such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. I am excited to see what else we could possibly explore in the digital world these upcoming weeks!
Article of the Week
This week we had the option of building a PLN through LinkedIn. This article about LinkedIn appeared on my Feedly, and I found it very appropriate to share for this week's session. LinkedIn is good for Business describes how this tool is the largest professional networks in the world. It allows you to build connections with people all around the world and great for businesses who are wanting to grow their business. I highly suggest that everyone create a LinkedIn profile as it acts like a digital resume and great for networking.
Until next week,
Heidi
Today is the first day of February! It is crazy how fast a month of this semester has flown by, and I think everyone is starting to feel the stress of midterms and assignments. This past month we have been building our Personal Learning Network (PLN). Klingensmith defines a PLN as "the entire collection of people with whom you engage and exchange information, usually online." We have been developing a PLN through our blogs, and Feedly, and this week we were introduced to Twitter.
Twitter is one of my most frequently used social media tools. For those who have never used Twitter, it is like a mini blog where you "tweet" your thoughts/opinions in 140 characters. This tool allows you interact with people to follow others and keep up with their tweets that will appear on your timeline. On the right is an image of my Twitter profile- feel free to follow me @heidiADED and do not forget to use the hashtag #ADED1P32 when you create your own tweets!
I have always used Twitter as a way to interact with friends and family, as well as keep up with celebrity gossip. However, this week I learned that this is a powerful educational tool to build knowledge. It allows you to communicate with classmates about important information, and connect with others about a topic through a common hashtag. Twitter can be used to keep up with global events in any industry- it all depends on the people you follow. I began to follow several news stations such as @CP24 and @TorontoStar so I can receive updates on what is happening around the world.
Twitter was a tool that was already included in my PLE from Week 2's session. I included it under the 'Social' category as I mainly used it to interact with friends and family. After learning more about this tool, I would also categorize it as an educational tool along with other curation tools like Feedly and LiveBinders.
After this week's session, I am learning a lot about gaining digital literacy. Twitter is an innovative way to gain knowledge outside of a classroom. Digital technology is a great alternative to traditional learning styles and I think that this tool a great way to get started. It includes all aspected of digital literacy such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. I am excited to see what else we could possibly explore in the digital world these upcoming weeks!
Article of the Week
This week we had the option of building a PLN through LinkedIn. This article about LinkedIn appeared on my Feedly, and I found it very appropriate to share for this week's session. LinkedIn is good for Business describes how this tool is the largest professional networks in the world. It allows you to build connections with people all around the world and great for businesses who are wanting to grow their business. I highly suggest that everyone create a LinkedIn profile as it acts like a digital resume and great for networking.
Until next week,
Heidi
Monday 26 January 2015
Weekly Report & Reflection Post #4
Hello again everyone,
This week we explored various curation tools throughout the Web. A resource we learned about this week is bookmarking. Bookmarking is a way to gain easy access to frequently visited websites. I am pretty familiar with this process as I use this tool to save important websites such as BrockU and Sakai. I found that bookmarking and tagging to be useful for educational purposes because it allows me to easily retrieve information from these websites which are constantly being updated. Having these websites bookmarked is also a great reminder to myself to frequently check my Sakai or my E-mail.
Diigo
Diigo is a bookmarking tool that we were introduced to this week. This tool allows you to gather all your favourite webpages and information and store them on one place. This storage takes place in the cloud allowing for easy access from any electronic source. After exploring this tool, I found that Diigo can also be accessed on my iPad or on an android. All the information is synced so that you can continue reading an article that you have bookmarked from your computer on another device. I also enjoyed the highlighting feature on Diigo. This feature allows you to highlight specific text on an article you are reading and save it as a screenshot so that it can be shared to others. Valid and Reliable Information
It is important to consider the authenticity of the information that you bookmark so that it builds your knowledge in a positive way. Throughout university, professors always emphasized using 'valid' sources when writing a paper. This means that the information is credited, unbiased, and reliable.
I am sure that many people have heard of Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a website where you can get information about almost anything. However, the downside is that anyone has access to alter the information on the topic. Therefore, Wikipedia is not a reliable resource and does not contribute to your knowledge. To ensure that the information you bookmark is reliable, look for peer reviewed articles or journal articles. Recognizing which resources are reliable is important for your knowledge to ensure the information you are using in a research paper or an essay is correct.
Exploring Curation Tools
This week I explored curation tools such as Diigo, Scoop it, and LiveBinders. All these tools will definitely be on my new PLE diagram under the educational and social category. I really enjoyed using LiveBinders because enables you to create a 'virtual' three ring binder where you can organize all your websites, articles, images into separate tabs. Here is a brief tutorial I found that explains how to set up LiveBinders and all its unique features:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfxj6QeF08A
Article of the Week
Best Tips for a Successful Interview As I have mentioned before, graduation is right around the corner for me. This means job hunting, and preparing for interviews. This article on my Feedly this week provides tips for a successful interview from the interviewers perspective!
Until next week,
Heidi
Monday 19 January 2015
Weekly Report & Reflection Post #3
Welcome back everyone,
So this week we learned explored a new tool called Feedly. Feedly is a great tool that allows you to keep up to date with any blogs or news website posts that you have expressed interest in. Instead of having to look-up each website separately, this tool allows you to get all that information on your feed reader. All the information is presented chronologically, so it saves us a lot of time having to open tons of web browsers!
Now that I have created my Feedly, I am able to keep up to date with all the blogs and websites that I subscribed to. A blog that caught my attention this week was about food. As a university student I think we can all relate when I say that cooking can be a hassle at times, and following a recipe is not always the easiest. On my Feedly I subscribed to Laura In the Kitchen. This presented me with her YouTube channel in which I was able to follow along to her recipes while watching her cook! This informed me that there are so many platforms on the internet where you can get information. News articles, blogs, and even Youtube are great learning environments.
RSS Feed Readers are a great tool to contribute to my work in building knowledge about digital literacy, responsibility, and citizenship because they introduce me to new tools and information that I might have overlooked in the past. There were a few sites that I was familiar with before being introduced to Feedly, but the RSS Feed Readers have broadened my range of learning platforms. In my previous post titled "My Experience with RSS Feeds," I mentioned that there was a blog post on my Feedly about how social media affects job- hunting. It touched on topics that we learned about in Week 1- Digital Footprints. Reading this post definitely reaffirmed the importance of digital responsibility and citizenship as everything we present on the internet can affect our future.
Feedly will be a new tool added to my PLE map! I would consider this an educational and social tool. Not only do you receive information from Feedly through blogs and news articles, but it allows you to connect with people on different social platforms such as Youtube.
Until next week,
Heidi
So this week we learned explored a new tool called Feedly. Feedly is a great tool that allows you to keep up to date with any blogs or news website posts that you have expressed interest in. Instead of having to look-up each website separately, this tool allows you to get all that information on your feed reader. All the information is presented chronologically, so it saves us a lot of time having to open tons of web browsers!
Now that I have created my Feedly, I am able to keep up to date with all the blogs and websites that I subscribed to. A blog that caught my attention this week was about food. As a university student I think we can all relate when I say that cooking can be a hassle at times, and following a recipe is not always the easiest. On my Feedly I subscribed to Laura In the Kitchen. This presented me with her YouTube channel in which I was able to follow along to her recipes while watching her cook! This informed me that there are so many platforms on the internet where you can get information. News articles, blogs, and even Youtube are great learning environments. RSS Feed Readers are a great tool to contribute to my work in building knowledge about digital literacy, responsibility, and citizenship because they introduce me to new tools and information that I might have overlooked in the past. There were a few sites that I was familiar with before being introduced to Feedly, but the RSS Feed Readers have broadened my range of learning platforms. In my previous post titled "My Experience with RSS Feeds," I mentioned that there was a blog post on my Feedly about how social media affects job- hunting. It touched on topics that we learned about in Week 1- Digital Footprints. Reading this post definitely reaffirmed the importance of digital responsibility and citizenship as everything we present on the internet can affect our future.
Feedly will be a new tool added to my PLE map! I would consider this an educational and social tool. Not only do you receive information from Feedly through blogs and news articles, but it allows you to connect with people on different social platforms such as Youtube.
Until next week,
Heidi
My Experience with RSS Feeds
This week we were introduced to a new tool called Feedly. But what is Feedly exactly? Feedly is a tool that allows you to manage information from multiple web browsers. It sums up a number of articles based on interests, and websites that you enjoy. Feedly is definitely a useful tool as it saves you time from looking up information- all the articles and websites of personal interest are located in one spot.
This tool reminded me of Twitter as it provides you updates on all on one application. Twitter provides you brief status updates based on the people you follow. Feedly, on the other hand, provides you content that is website based on one application.
On my Feedly, I found a blog called Get Rich Slowly that really intrigued me. As a fourth year student, ready to graduate in a couple months, looking for a job is constantly on my mind. This blogpost that was on my Feedly talks about how your media presence can affect your chances when job hunting. As this course is widely based on our digital footprint, it explains how to leave a positive digital footprint so that your chances of scoring an amazing job are greater. This blogpost can be found here:
How to curate your social media presence when job-hunting
Heidi
This tool reminded me of Twitter as it provides you updates on all on one application. Twitter provides you brief status updates based on the people you follow. Feedly, on the other hand, provides you content that is website based on one application.
On my Feedly, I found a blog called Get Rich Slowly that really intrigued me. As a fourth year student, ready to graduate in a couple months, looking for a job is constantly on my mind. This blogpost that was on my Feedly talks about how your media presence can affect your chances when job hunting. As this course is widely based on our digital footprint, it explains how to leave a positive digital footprint so that your chances of scoring an amazing job are greater. This blogpost can be found here: How to curate your social media presence when job-hunting
Heidi
Monday 12 January 2015
Weekly Report & Reflection Post #2
Hey everyone,
This week’s session I found to be very hands on as we
were exposed to many different tools that would help us create a mindmap of our
PLE and word clouds. But first, what is a PLE? PLE stands for Personal Learning
Environment, and it is a system that helps learners take control and manage
their own learning.
We were told to reflect on where we saw
ourselves 5-10 years from now compared to where I am now and the changes
that we need to make in my learning environment to help me reach my goals.
My Future
In 5-10 years from now, I hope to have graduated from
university, completed all the professional Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)
exams, and furthering my career in finance. I see myself working in downtown
Toronto in the financial district and interacting with new clients daily. I
also hope to be settled in this firm for a couple years and have developed
seniority so that I can continue to work my way up and achieve a managing
position.
Where am I Now?
Currently, I am finishing up my finial semester of my
undergrad at Brock University. I am now taking three finance courses that will
prepare me for my Level I CFA exam next December. I have looked into a program
at the University of Toronto that helps students prepare for this exam and I am
definitely considering this because I will take all the help I can get. When
people ask me how I feel about graduating (only a few more months away), I have
mixed emotions. I am unquestionably excited to be finished university, but I am
also nervous for the “real world.” Nonetheless, I do believe my experiences
thus far have prepared me for whatever my future holds.
Changes in the
Environment
In order to reach my future goals, there are some
changes that need to be made in my learning environment. Although I like to
study alone, to prepare myself for the CFA exam, I want to work in study
groups. I find that working with others who are also preparing to write this
exam will be more helpful because this information is self-taught. The courses
we take in university were not designed specifically for these exams, but were
intended as tools to help with the process.
After creating my PLE Concept Map I realized I used a
lot more social media tools than educational tools. I am interested to see what
others tools people are using as I am opened expanding my knowledge through
these digital forums. The tool I used was Popplet (http://popplet.com
). This was the first time using this tool and I found that it was really
simple to navigate the different functions, and this website also provided a
small tutorial for new users. Here is my PLE using this tool:
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| Fung, H. (CC) 2014. |
Finally, I was introduced to Wordle that is a tool that creates word clouds. From this tool I learned I enjoy the artistic and visual aspect of these tools. I liked that I was able to customize the colour palette of the word cloud and adjust the shape. I like the artistic aspect of blogging as well. I tried to make my blog visually appealing so that I can capture the audiences attention and engage them when reading my thoughts.
 |
| Fung, H. (CC) 2014. |
Until next week!
Heidi
Friday 9 January 2015
Weekly Report & Reflection Post #1
Hello again everyone,
In this week’s session, we began to look at digital
footprints and netiquette. A digital footprint is the collection of data that
is left behind by users of digital services (social media, online shopping,
online web chats, and more). I have made myself a digital footprint by being
active on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook; however, this week I
learned that it is very important to create a positive digital footprint. This
means protecting yourself from the dangers of the Internet and not exposing
private information that could affect you negatively in the future.
 |
| http://sandipdagli.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/digitalfootpring.png |
Here’s a video that I found that helps us get a better understanding of what a digital footprint is, and how to manage one http://youtu.be/OA6aiFeMQZ0. To ensure that you are creating a positive digital footprint, some suggestions are to not share passwords, keeping your location services on your cellphone turned off, making your social media sites are set to ‘private,’ and most importantly, think before you post. The cyberspace contains billions of users that can gain access to your information; it’s important to leave a footprint that will have a positive impact.
Next we looked at the term ‘netiquette’ (network etiquette),
which are the set of rules for behaving online. This website that we were
provided gives us the 10 core rules of digital etiquette http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html.
The one I found to be most important was Rule
1: Remember the human. When you communicate with someone electronically,
you are looking at a device and tend to be more expressive about our opinions
or feelings (and they may not always be positive). We must remember that there
is also another person behind that screen and engage with
respect as if we were communicating with them in person. This is also another
tip to remember when creating a positive digital footprint.
After taking the “Digital Driver’s Licence” exam, I gained a
better understanding of what it means to be a digital citizen. The areas that I
will be focusing on the next couple weeks are “Digital Law” and “Digital
Commerce.” I think Digital Law is the most important area to expand our
knowledge in when becoming a digital citizen because there are many rules and
regulations that are overlooked when entering the digital world. These rules
are crucial as they are meant to protect us and protect the people who share
their information to the world. This topic covers everything from pirating
software, copyrighted material, and online privacy. It is essential that we are
aware of these rules because everything that is on the Internet is permanent
and if we are caught violating these rules, they can have serious consequences.
Digital Commerce is also another area that I find
particularly interesting because it involves the electronic buying and selling
of goods. Online shopping is a trend that has been increasing within the last
decade. I am always wary when it comes to online shopping because you are
sharing personal credit card information online and that is something I was
always taught to keep private. From this course I want to gain a better
understanding on how to protect this information and making sure that the
information I share is safe. As the ADED mentions, this topic is difficult
to address in classrooms so I hope to gain more knowledge of this topic in the
next couple of weeks.
See you all again next week!
Heidi
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