What is a PLE and why do you need one?

Tran, J. (CC) 2014.

A Personal Learning Environment (PLE) is a way for an individual to have his or her own control in learning. We have our own personal toolbox of resources to help us in our learning and we use these digital tools to interact with others. When creating my PLE, I didn’t realize certain websites were actually helping me with my learning. I think using technology is a great way to learn. In the video “The Networked Student”, it discussed how the student used digital tools to allow him to gain a better understanding on certain topics. He was also taught that building a network would strengthen his learning process. What he was doing was kind of similar to what my peers and I were doing for this course. We are taking control of our learning, and make connections with others. Blogging is a great way to making connections. We get to read other people’s opinions, and we also get to express our own thoughts. In 5 to 10 years, I hope to be a teacher. I know that being a teacher is probably one of the hardest jobs ever. It is crucial for adults to teach children at a young age certain things and to help them with their development. With the help of technology, I can read blogs written by teachers to help me with planning lessons, and learn different techniques in teaching a class. 

My current PLE consists of Hotmail, Blogger, Tumblr, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram, and Brock’s Isaak/Sakai website. Hotmail is where I get most of my emails, which is very important because it is how I communicate with my past teachers and peers. I added Blogger because I am using it for this course to read my classmates’ blogs, and to write my thoughts on what I learned in the course. Tumblr is my favourite website to blog. It’s the one place where I get to be ‘free’ and not be judged. The website also informs me on many events that are happening around the world, and teaches me a lot. For example, I learn different recipes and DIY crafts. I use Youtube a lot for entertainment, but to also watch people’s vlogs. I find them very interesting, and again I listen to other people’s thoughts on certain things. I use Twitter and Instagram to connect with my friends from high school and university. I think Twitter is great way to get news, and celebrity gossip (yes I am one of those individuals). I follow Brock University, so they keep me updated on what is going around at the school. Finally, Brock’s Isaak/Sakai website is probably the website I use the most because it is where I get readings, lecture notes, and so on. I also get to interact with my peers, and ask questions. Session 2 taught me that networking is very important and that with the help of digital tools, I can control my own learning.

- Jenny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XwM4ieFOotA

Making connections in a Digital Environment

In session 1, I learned a few terms such as “digital footprint”, “digital citizenship” and “Netiquette”. I decided to search my name on Google, and found nothing! I wouldn’t say I keep my life private, but I never put my full name when a social networking site asks for it. I guess that’s why I couldn’t find anything about me on Google. I also don’t have a Facebook account because I feel like my life is open to the public, for everyone to see. According to Ainslie (2009), she stated that it is important for teachers to have an online presence. As a future teacher, this article made me think about building a positive digital footprint. She discussed how it is important for teachers to stay current and be updated on their digital footprint (2009). I would like to avoid having a digital footprint, but she recommended a few ways on monitoring my digital footprint. I don’t have anything to hide, but I like to keep my personal life private. I think with the help of her tips, I can build myself a positive digital footprint and be present in the online world. I think what is really important when using social media is to be cautious of what you post online. If you wouldn’t say it to someone in person, why would you say it online? I also want to be a good role model to my students, thus building myself a positive digital footprint, and learning Netiquette will benefit my students and me. It will benefit me because I get to share my ideas with other teachers and read their thoughts and advice on certain topics. Children look up to adults, so teaching my future students Netiquette and having them see me use technology appropriately will teach them to respect others online and when to use technology effectively (Ribble, 2011, p.29).

Based on the results from the Digital Driver’s License exam (Ribble, 2011, p. 105), I have a good understanding on the concept, digital citizenship. I got perfect in every area. I think the reason for this is because I took a course based on technology before. The course I took talked a lot about allowing students to blog in class. I think allowing students to blog is a great way for them to learn! I watched a few videos and read a few articles that discussed how blogging gives students the opportunity to share their ideas, opinions, and express their feelings. According to Shareski (2008), students are able to read good blogs that actually interest them. By reading good blogs, this can help improve their writing too. I think integrating technology in the classroom would be a good idea, as long as it is educational and teachers are teaching their students how to use it appropriately. What is your opinion on building a digital footprint and do you think implementing technology in classrooms is a good idea?

- Jenny

Ainslie, D.J. (2009, December 19). Yes, you should have a digital footprint… and keep track of it!. Retrieved from http://djainslietech.com/2009/12/19/digital-footprint/

Ribble, M. (2011). Digital Citizenship in Schools, 2nd Edition. Washington, DC: International Society for Technology in Education.

Shareski, D. (2008, July 17). Student and teacher blogging that succeeds. Retrieved from http://ideasandthoughts.org/2008/07/17/student-and-teacher-blogging-that-succeeds/

First post!

Hi everyone! My name is Jenny and I am in my third year at Brock University, studying Child and Youth Studies. I chose Brock because I was really interested in the Child and Youth Studies program. I love working with children and teaching them and learning from them. I have had many bad, negative teachers in the past, thus I want to be a teacher to show children that learning is fun. One thing I disliked about Brock in the beginning was the location. I am a big city girl, so moving to St. Catharines and adjusting to the city was very difficult for me. However, after making amazing friends and creating memories, I am definitely going to miss Brock and St. Catharines when I graduate.

Here are some random facts about me: I love to bake, shop, exercise, act, listen to music, and watch TV/movies (I'm a big fan of comedy). I love dogs - I have a bichon-pomeranian mix named Teddy, and hope to have a pug one day. Yes, pugs are my favourite, but I still love my dog! I also adore cats, but unfortunately I can never own one because of my allergies. I love collecting candles and I am a huge coffee addict. Also, I make one mean PB & J sandwich (I'm not much of a cook).

The purpose of this blog is to discuss my thoughts and ideas based on what I learn in the course, ADED 1P32 - Learning in Digital Contexts. Currently, I volunteer in a kindergarten classroom, and I love it! I cannot wait to have my own classroom some day. I find it interesting that there is more technology being used in classrooms today. For example, the students in the classroom know how to use an iPad, and love learning from it. They actually know more about the iPad than I do, and they are only four and five year-olds! I believe that in the future, more technology will be implemented in classrooms. It could be both a positive and negative thing, thus I hope this course will teach me how and what type of technology I could use that would benefit me and my future students. Can't wait!

- Jenny