Weekly Report & Reflection #4

I found the exploration of the bookmarking tools to be useful as it allowed me to bookmark information I may need to refer to at a later time; this tool will benefit me in the future, specifically when I am researching and brainstorming ideas for a project. I have bookmarked websites in the past but found difficulty in finding the valuable information when returning to the site because I could not remember why I bookmarked it. Considering this, Diigo is a suitable tool for educational activities because it allows me to save, highlight, read, and bookmark information. Diigo is also useful considering that the information can be saved on my account and it can be accessed on any computer if the application is downloaded. Another benefit to the Diigo tool is that I am able to save time spent on rereading material that is unrelated to the topic I am trying to find information on. I also realized that being able to effectively utilize Diigo will help me in becoming a positive digital citizen as it relates to the 9 Elements of Digital Literacy because "evaluating online resources" is a key skill that relates to Digital Literacy (Ribble, 2011, p. 27).

Photo copied from: http://mariaguillily.com/e-portfolio/e-learning-for-educators-course/diigo-e-learning-for-educators-group/

I found the Storify website to be really interesting and I enjoyed using it because it allowed me to add minimal text, graphics, and videos. As a student, I am required to complete multiple readings and this can become frustrating but by using Storify, I am able to use the web and reach the main point of the topic. By familiarizing myself with these digital tools, I am able to increase the number of tools I have access to and they can also be added to my Personal Learning Environment, which is a great achievement for me.  

Photo copied from: http://www.content-marketing.com/tools-storify/

Although I am a part of the technological generation know as "Generation Y", I know I have a long way to go in terms of learning about technology which made me realize that becoming a digital citizen can be difficult. I was unaware of many of the tools that have been introduced in this course thus far therefore learning how to effectively use the tools is going to take longer than one week. I have also learned how having digital literacy relates to learning how to read and write because everything requires me to consistently practice in order to become efficient. Nonetheless, I have gained more confidence in my abilities as a blogger and using the online bookmarking tools I have learned about thus far.

While exploring the RSS Feeds from last week, I discovered the convenience of receiving updates that are integrated in a news feed and are presented to me in one place. The article I have chosen to discuss this week is applicable to university students. The article “5 Ways to Completely Ruin Your Job Interview!” provides readers with meaningful interview tips. One of the points made aligned with the topic of having a positive digital footprint on social media websites like Facebook and LinkedIn because having a “poor social media reputation” can negatively affect any candidate's chances of being hired. For example, you may be removed from the candidate pool early on in the hiring process if your profile displays any signs of unprofessional and inappropriate behaviour, such as online bullying or pictures of you drinking. Reading these type of articles further reiterates how I need to be careful while also ensuring that I do not disclose personal information and pictures online as it may unintentionally effect my employer in a negative manner.

Photo copied from: http://www.recruitingdivision.com/tag/behavioral-interviewing/

Text Reference:

Ribble, M. (2011). Digital citizenship in schools (2nd Ed.).Washington, D.C:  International Society for Technology in Education

Weekly Report & Reflection #3

This week’s session allowed me to learn how important it is for everyone to have control over the internet because doing so will allow them to become knowledgeable as they continue their journey in becoming a responsible digital citizen. RSS feeds create a resource for information to immediately be exposed to the user which allows for them to make a better use of their time. This relates to saying how “locat[ing] online sources [you] trust, can be a time-consuming task” and I agree as I found this to be very true (Educase, 2007, p. 1). Whether I am attempting to find relevant resources to write a paper or simply searching for an idea, I have had to spend multiple hours surfing through the internet and multiple web pages. Considering this, I found that the RSS feed to be greatly useful as it allows me to acquire meaningful information while also "saving [a] considerable [amount of] time and effort” (Educause, 2007, p.2).

My Feedly reader can now fit into multiple categories from my Personal Learning Environment, specifically in the organize, connect, and search and learn categories. The RSS Feed Reader is a great tool that finds and collaborates information from many sources available on the internet and later organizes it into a layout that is easy to follow and reduces the chances of anyone getting lost in the many sources out there. In addition, Feedly allows users to connect with other people and it enables them to view new articles, Twitter tweets, and blog posts to name a few.

Photo copied from: https://www.musicclout.com/contents/article-482-8-tips-for-attracting-fans-on-twitter.aspx

Users can develop a strong digital literacy by learning how to use new databases such as Feedly. According to Ribble, digital literacy is a process in which one learns how to successfully use technology (Ribble, 2011). Taking this thought and further thinking about it allowed me to realize that my digital literacy was able to grow and become stronger this week. For example, I had not heard or used Feedly before but after learning about it in this session, I was able to understand and see how it allows me to better organize myself. Furthermore, properly citing the information I have used for this course also indicates how I am digitally responsible (Ribble, 2011). As I move forward in the course, I hope to learn, use, and understand all of the nine elements as doing this will allow me to successfully strengthen my digital citizenship.

Photo copied from: http://www.smsd.us/webpages/jjarrett/resources.cfm?subpage=1355131 

The most interesting post I read discussed the downfall of Apple's new iPhone 6. I found the Apple Blog Post to be very informative in saying how even though Apple released a new phone, many flaws have been found by the users that make it an unattractive purchase. For example, many people have noticed iPhone 6’s bending feature and although this was supposed to be a selling feature, people considered it to be a default as the phone remained bent rather than returning to its initial form. Consumers have found this to be a major concern as the phone is already expensive and so they expect to gain a higher return on their investment and rightfully feel it should be a high quality phone. I found this to be very unfortunate as I was looking to purchase a new phone and considered the iPhone 6 but after hearing this news, I am weary about the idea of purchasing it. I feel fortunate to have seen this post as the information presented is something that affects me.

Photo copied from: http://forums.techarp.com/reviews-articles/28227-ed-184-bendgate-isn-t-new-but-could-finally-change-industry-better.html

My Experience with RSS Feeds

Week 3’s session included the task of creating and analyzing concepts related to RSS’s and Feedly. The exercise and website proved to be useful as it does not require one to search for specific information; instead the website sends the receiver information based on their interests and what they need information for. The website also provides a person with the capability of subscribing to a variety of websites which are later grouped together and contain new information so that a person is able to discover it at a faster pace.

Photo copied from: http://libguides.ivytech.edu/content.php?pid=180869&sid=1521286

A post that I found to be intriguing and advantageous was “20 Memorization Techniques for College Students” which written by Jonathan Fritiz.  Being a university, I found this post to be relevant as it gave me advice and tips with regards to techniques I can use when studying and how I can be prepared and successful when writing exams. The post provides specific advice on how to memorize course related information so that one can achieve the marks they are hoping for. In addition, this basic idea can be further analyzed as the blog advises one to create acronyms from the first letter of the information a person is trying to memorize.

Photo copied from: http://leanblitzconsulting.com/2012/01/new-years-resolutions-smart-goals/

I found Feedly to be a great tool that can be explored in order to retain new information and news. Considering my initial experience with the Feedly tool, I believe it will help me find and collect information in the future. 

Weekly Report & Reflection #2

A Personal Learning Environment (PLE) is a system that is made up of a variety of sources that an individual uses to help them manage their learning while having control over it. Every person, including myself, has their own personal toolbox that is filled with resources that help them when learning and interacting with others; this can include a variety of digital tools as well. There are many websites that I use on a daily basis but I simply thought of them as social media websites. While creating my PLE and thinking a little deeper, I realized that social media websites are helping me learn as they not only allow me to connect with family and friends; they also allow me to learn about things happening around the world. Though some people may find the use of technology a major distraction, I have found it to be a great source for learning and enhancing my knowledge of many topics. The video “The Networked Student”, discussed how a student used digital tools to allow him to gain a better understanding of certain topics. He was also taught that building a network would strengthen his learning process. I found what he was doing was somewhat similar to what my peers and I do for this course. Everyone in this course is able take control of their learning while making connections with their peers. Blogging is a great tool that can be used for making connections as we are able to read people’s opinions and are able to express are thoughts in the process.

Sarwar, F. (CC) 2015.

In 5 to 10 years’ time, I would have graduated from Brock University with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree and would have completed my Human Resource Professional exams. I hope to be working towards advancing my career by taking advantage of a variety of professional opportunities. In terms of staying connected with my network, I see myself maintaining and creating new relationships with current and prospective professionals. I hope to be in a position where I am able to work towards bettering the reputation of Human Resources by being a professional who is accountable and loyal. Overall I hope I am able to meet and/or exceed the expectations people have while meeting my personal goals.

Photo copied from: http://simulblog.com/2014/10/01/my-bright-future/

After creating my personal PLE, I gained a realization that I use many digital tools which not only allow me to connect with others, but also help me manage and organize myself while learning. Social media has proven to have many benefits as it is a great tool for connecting with others. All of the systems I use allow me to share my ideas, perspectives, and opinions while I try to understand concepts that are presented in a simplified manner. Clint Lalonde’s blog post states the importance and effectiveness of Personal Learning Network as it creates a close network of people that can help individuals guide their learning and share opportunities and ideas while advancing ones learning (Lalonde, 2012). I was able to discover more about myself as a learner while creating my PLE and Word Cloud. Since I am able to better understand new material when communicating with people in person versus reading a textbook, having a strong PLN will prove to enhance my learning while I become an effective learner.

Sarwar, F. (CC) 2015.

My takeaway from the word cloud exercise is that it is a great way to summarize an abundant amount of text by simply visualizing it. Although I have seen advertisers use word clouds for making connections, I did not realize that I could use it to creatively compile the information I need to understand as a learner. The use of the word cloud was a relevant and ideal activity that also allowed me to reflect on the significance of having a positive digital footprint and how I must follow technology rules when using all of the tech-based resources and tools that are within my PLE. As I was creating the Wordle, I kept examining the thought of how people made them and was surprised to learn how effective my word cloud was at summarizing the main points and themes from my first blog post. This exercise allowed me to learn about a new system for organizing the tools and resources I have access to and that can effectively be used in a digital context.

- Fajar Sarwar

Weekly Report & Reflection #1

Photo copied from: http://www.granvillecsd.org/webpages/lgrandjean/using_the_internet.cfm?subpage=635376 

Reflection

After reading through the session, I came to the realization that I have not heard of the term “digital footprint” and therefore, I did not know how to answer whether or not I want to have a positive digital footprint. After doing some research, I learned that a digital footprint is the path or track every online user leaves online (Beal). Some examples of a digital footprint I have been involved with include posting pictures and videos on social media websites, emailing family and friends, or shopping online.

A positive digital footprint is when you make sure that your online activity does not lead you to attaining a bad reputation. You must also be mindful in ensuring your online presence does not affect an individual in a negative way as that can reflect your personal qualities in an unfavourable manner.

My strategy for ensuring I have a positive digital footprint is to think thoroughly before I post anything online and to question “what would an employer think if they saw a particular post of mine?”, “does this post portray me in a positive or negative way?”, etc. I feel that asking these questions will lead me to having a better online experience and have a positive digital footprint because I will be able to see the potential results of my actions from different perspectives.

The relationship between Netiquette and a positive digital footprint is that Netiquette took the concept of a digital footprint and provided people with guidelines that will lead them to having a positive digital footprint. Netiquette provides online users with a helpful resource they can look back at for ensuring they have a positive digital footprint. I found this website to be useful for individuals who may be unaware or unsure of what a digital footprint is and what the negative implications could be if one does not think thoroughly before making a post.

Mike Ribble, the author of the course textbook, brings up the question “If these [communication] technologies are banned in schools, what message does that send to our students" (p. 24). After thinking about this comment, I realized that the silent message being sent is that these technologies have no educational value. I think that my feelings towards technology can be characterized by the perspectives educational institutions have passed on to their students, such as myself. To my surprise, there are many digital tools that can be used for the purpose of education. Considering this, I strongly believe that if teachers in the past had not encouraged technology in the classroom, I would have a different outlook on the use of these technologies today. However, it’s never too late to change your outlook.

After conducting research and reading the textbook, I realized that even though I strongly believe that I have a positive digital footprint, I should continue to reflect on ways that can help me improve my digital footprint so that I eventually become a better digital citizen. Possible ways of improvement I hope to action on are "googling" myself every once in a while to ensure I have not done anything that will cause my image to appear in a bad light and asking a peer to review my posts before I make them public so that I can hear an opinion that may see my post as something negative.

Report

After completing and scoring myself on the Digital Driver's License activity, my results came to 100%. While thinking about my results, I came to the realization that it is easier to have knowledge about Digital Citizenship than to properly apply it in real-life settings. I personally believe that I need to focus on the practical application of my knowledge of Digital Citizenship and I plan on working towards becoming more comfortable and fluent with my use of digital technologies and with Netiquette. One of the areas that I found needs improvement is “Health and Wellness". When reflecting on this aspect of digital citizenship, I realized that even though I may seem to know about this area, I barely ever apply it. An area of digital citizenship I would like to improve on and apply in my life is the idea of how I complete work when using a computer. I tend to become tired of sitting in one position while spending time on the computer for a long period of time and because of this, sometimes I lay on the couch or I lean down while working on my bed. Due to this, my back and my wrists tend to give my problems and I now realize that this is something I need to start avoiding and having a control over.

The first connection I made was with the reading "Primer on Blogs" (Ribble, 2011, p.62) and the several different blogs I viewed during this session. I gained the realization that though I thought that blogs are simply used as an online diary, this is not true. Blogs can be used for educational purposes where discussions can take place with regards to interests or a specific course, such as ADED 1P32. One of the most important connections with the session material was watching the YouTube video where Andy was used as an example, learning about the concept of a digital footprint and reading tips for online users from the Netiquette website. Today, many people do not realize the impact giving away our personal information or posting unnecessary things online has on our lives. For example, to me, submitting my information to be entered into an online contest may be a minor thing but in the long run I do not know where that information could end up and how it may be used and this alone is a strong reason for why I need to monitor my digital footprint.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. Please do not hesitate in leaving me a comment as I am highly interested in hearing your opinions and/or thoughts.

- Fajar Sarwar

References

Beal, V. (n.d.). Digital Footprint. Retrieved from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/D/digital_foot

Ribble, M. (2011). Digital citizenship in schools (2nd Ed.).Washington, D.C:  International Society for Technology in Education

Fajar Sarwar - Introduction

Hi everyone!

My name is Fajar Sarwar and I am currently a fourth year Brock University student who is in the Bachelors of Business Administration Program with a Concentration in Human Resource Management. I wish everyone a Happy New Year and look forward to interacting with everyone through the various online platforms that will be used throughout this semester. This will be the second time I am taking an online course. 

A part from studying, I also work on campus as the Peer Counselling/Leadership Peer Assistant for the Foundations in Leadership Practicum Series, which is one of the many services the Student Development Centre offers. I am also working in a Client Advisor position for the Royal Bank of Canada. My many experiences in university thus far have led me to learning more about myself and excel in achieving the goals I have set for myself. My many volunteer positions, such working for Brock’s Business Students’ Association as the Director of Student Services – Business Cards, have allowed me to grow as a professional and further develop my skills.

A part from studying and engaging in extra-curricular activities, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends while trying new things. I also enjoy watching shows like Property Brothers, Dragan’s Den, and Undercover Boss.

I have taken an online biology course in the past and though I found learning in the online environment interesting, I hope that the ADED 1P32 course will be more engaging and interactive. I also hope to hear about different perspectives from a variety of students in this course.

My blog will allow me to reflect on my learning throughout the course. I hope to become further acquainted with online platforms so that I can take advantage of the many tools that are available to me. I am hoping to gain new skills from this course as I hope to apply the skills I learn in the future, specifically in the professional world. I am also looking forward to learning about various digital tools that I may not yet be familiar with.

For me, the most important part of this course will be to explore the internet and learn about what technology has to offer.

I hope everyone has a great week and stays tuned for more posts in the future.

-          Fajar Sarwar