Losing Steam...But Gaining PLNs

I am feeling rather down today. Rather bland. Rather blue.

Perhaps it is the weather (a snowy, blowy, bad-roads-kind-a-day), perhaps its that I have spent the entire weekend visiting with family, rather than doing homework (and the homework has accumulated to the point where it is so depressing to even think about doing it, that I would rather just sleep, but I can't actually sleep because all I think about when I try is my accumulating homework), or perhaps it is that the end really is near. The eighteenth, and final, year of my life as a student. In seven months I will be entering (eep, hopefully!) a school to do the teaching, rather than the learning (though, I suppose that teaching really is one of the best methods of learning).

I mean, it's not that I'm not excited to be graduating, and teaching, and moving on with my life. It's just scary - as any kind of change is to the simple human being. And it's the weather. It really, probably is the weather.

So I guess I need to talk about something other than my feelings. I choose...

• PLNs

From what I understand, a PLN (or, personal learning network) is made up of all the resources (and, not just the people) a learner interacts with, and reaps knowledge from. In the context of the Internet for Educators course, some examples might be Twitter, Wikis, Blogs, YouTube Videos, Websites, Weebly, Mike Nantais, etc. etc. But, even though we discussed PLNs in an online context, I don't think that all PLNs are comprised of online resources, only. 

I think that each individual has a single, ginormous PLN that encompasses the learning that occurs in their entire life. I also think that this ginormous PLN can be separated into several smaller, more specific PLNS (as evidenced by the description of my "Internet for Educator's" PLN, described above).  These smaller PLNS could be networks comprised of resources for particular courses, topics, communities, interests, skills, lifestyles, etc. If we were to roll with this definition (which I sort of just made up based on my extrapolation from what we talked about last class), some of my PLNs would be:

• The Internet for Educators Course (Twitter, Wikis, Videos, Weebly, Mike Nantais)
• Boissevain School (Teachers, Coaches, Peers, Course Matter, Sports, etc.)
• My Social PLN, meagre as it may be (Twitter, Facebook, Game Night, TV, Novels, Magazines)
• And many more.

There is a strong chance I could be wrong about some of the things I just typed out, but I do think that terms mean different things to different people, and this is simply what the term means to me.

One of our tech tasks in in our I4Ed course is to create a diagram/map/something concrete with which to reflect and keep track of our PLNs. I think this is a good idea because I have a terrible memory, need to be organized in order to be sane, and am a visual thinker. I chose MindMeister as a medium with which to express my PLN for no particular reason. I just took a shot in the dark, really. I have not played with it too much, yet, but from what I have seen so far it is...

• Visually appealing (a necessity)
• Verrrrrry easy to use
• Customizable (another necessity)
• Practical
• Flexible
• Inclusive (I can insert images, videos, links, etc.)

Here is a link to my MindMeister, thing (which is far from finished, let me assure you). This will be followed by a funny picture of my cat.

http://www.mindmeister.com/368743968/brittani-s-pln

Like. A. Boss.

                                      Hammond out. 

SMART(or not-so-smart)watches?!

I am not sure if this topic meets the conditions of our class blog, or not - but I am going for it anyways, since it is actually a topic I have a high level of interest in right now, and I was not able to attend Thursday's class (therefore there are no new class topics for me to talk about.

SO, there isn't really a need for a blog-post summary, but I am a sucker for routine, so here it is:

1. SMARTwatches

SMARTwatches

I am sure that you are sitting back in your chair (or laying back in your bed, as I am doing right now after a long night's work at The Dock) wondering to yourself, "Why SMARTwatches, Brittani?" - well, the answer to this most pressing question, is that I am considering buying Trent one for his birthday (I am relying heavily on the hope that he is not following my blog as an example to model his after). Now, I guess these technological time-tellers are the next BIG thing, according to Trent and several online sources. I hadn't even HEARD about them until November, when Trent introduced me to the Pebble SMARTwatch - shows how up to speed I am.

Pebble SMARTwatch

I think that if I did end up buying the big bum a watch, it would be a Pebble. The Samsung version only works with Samsung phones (naturally) and the others I've read up on aren't very popular. It would seem that Pebble is the front-runner. BUT I am nervous that since SMARTwatches are fairly new, the kinks might not be quite worked out of them. I am also worried that Apple will release their version of the watch (undoubtedly to be called the iWatch) soon after I purchase the Pebble (Trent and I are Apple people now), since there is many a rumour floating around the interweb about such possibilities...

I am also wondering... are they worth it? I mean, the "old" Pebble is $150 dollars, which I think is reasonable, since if I am looking at buying a Nixon or Guess watch it's gonna be the same price or more, but the Pebble I am interested in is the new, sleek, higher quality one - that retails for almost twice as much... EEP. This begs the question - is it worth it (and, more importantly, can I reeeeeallllly afford this PLUS my eating-at-restaurants addiction?) 

I will now present you with a list of Pros and Cons, which I will try to make relevant to education:

PROS of Getting a Pebble:

• Largely customizable (bands, faces)
• Has apps to allow for increased life functionality (email, calendar, organizer, run-tracker, etc.)
• Makes for a great timer, or weight-loss tracker (think pedometer/calorie-counter) which would be handily worn at all times.
• This could be a good tool to use for coaching, or gym class (to track students' fitness)
• Sends discreet notifications that are accessible at all times
• Which is why I think this would be a great device for a teacher to have. This way, he/she would not have his/her phone out all the time (which could be distracting), but would still be notified when an important text/email/phone call was incoming. This could be done without interrupting class, as the watch vibrates to inform its wearer of any new notifications

CONS of getting a Pebble:

• Expensive
• Not well-branded yet (like Nixon or Guess)
• Not a lot of apps/software available yet, since they are quite a new concept
• Not necessarily necessary - I mean, isn't this why we have phones?
• Cannot text/email off the screen
• Apple will, inevitably, come out with something better - its only a matter of time

I would say this is a pretty even list. I am really, really curious to know what other people think about this topic, so any comments on this particular post are welcomed (though I will likely also just ask everyone what they think about this in class on... Tuesday [or do we have a guest speaker?]).

Are SMARTwatches a useful tool right now?

Oh, definitely.

Not. At. All.

Not yet - they need to iron out the kinks, and create more apps!

Poll Maker

I think that's all for now, folks!

Until next time...

Digital Identity... What, When and Where to Share?

I am going to try an experiment, and this experiment requires me to take a relatively large step out of my comfort zone, by sharing with you the actual (not-so-funny) goings-on in my life. My cat is ill. I realize that this may seem comical, being that I am a critically-acclaimed crazy cat lady, but alas, it is not. He (Jax) has just recently had an operation, re-enabling him to urinate. Approximately 2 weeks since, he has taken to vomiting profusely in all areas of the house. This is worrisome. Also, my grandfather has unexpectedly passed away today. I guess it just feels nice to tell someone who is sitting outside the situation, and who literally cannot reach over and give me an awkward hug. What a strange thing to say to people I hardly know - that is, if anyone chooses to read this particular post, - especially given my current mindset on digital identity (spoiler alert!).

Jax, Post-Operation-"Pee-like-a-Champ"

Alright, enough of that. Now, allow me to begin again, on a more light-hearted note, but forgive me if I am not as light-hearted as usual:



Well hello, semester four of four of my Brandon University Education degree. What a terrifying statement to be making... I simply cannot believe that in EIGHT months (fingers, toes, legs-like-a-proper-lady crossed) I will be heading my own classroom! Oh how I digress. The real topic on today's agenda is the formation of one's digital identity, not Ms. Britt's upcoming classroom shenanigans.

SO, topics for tonight:

1. Defining digital identity
2. My current opinion on digital identity
3. My digital identity's future

DEFINING DIGITAL IDENTITY

During our most recent Internet for Educators (IFE) class, we discussed a few key definitions, one of which was Digital Identity. According to Techopedia (I am not sure what its all about but it seemed legit) this is what it is:

A digital identity is an online or networked identity adopted or claimed in cyberspace by an individual, organization or electronic device. These users may also project more than one digital identity through multiple communities. In terms of digital identity management, key areas of concern are security and privacy.

My understanding of one's digital identity is:

All of the things one (knowingly or not, but for this post I would like to focus on the knowingly since the not is not something that can be controlled, therefore it is not something that is worth discussing) tosses out into cyberspace. These things could be in the form of an inebriated image on Instagram, a lascivious love letter on Facebook, or a shameful shout-out on Twitter.

MY CURRENT OPINION ON DIGITAL IDENTITY
Yes, I am aware that all three of the examples I have provided are not-so-awesome ones. Perhaps this tone is reflective of my current (yet, slowly altering) stance on forming a digital identity. Presently, I am of the mind that when it comes to forming a digital identity, less is more. I DO have Facebook, but the privacy settings are maxed out. I DO have Twitter, but I must approve you before you can read my tweets. I DO blog, but I make sure that there is nothing offensive (or more than mildly offensive) or too personal within my posts.

I am going to come right out and say it: I am generally afraid to broadcast information about my personality, interests, thoughts, feelings and opinions out there on the interweb for all to see. Why? Because once one tosses these things out there, one cannot simply take them back. They are out there, somewhere, FOREVER (dunh dunh dunh duuuuuuunh). What if what I think is fine to broadcast now, at 22 years of age, turns out not to be so fine in 2-3-4-5 years?? What if a potential employer finds it off-putting? What if what I said is boring, pretentious, irrelevant, or stupid? What if my MOM sees it (this is a joke, since my mom is technologically handicapped and will actually never see it, as she cannot even identify the "browser").

What if I am just a private person?

MY DIGITAL IDENTITY'S FUTURE
Nantais (who I will have to begin referring to by name, rather than my one and only fan, since this semester it is a requirement that others read my blog) believes that having a public digital identity is a good thing. And deep down, I must admit that this seems to be the direction the world is going in. I really got to thinking about this over the past few days, and here is where I am trying to be, mentally:

• By putting myself out there, I would be inviting others to learn about me, and therefore (if they like what they see), opening myself up to forming new and interesting connections
• There are many functions (including those which I have named earlier in my post) that allow the private to be separated from the public, so different digital identities can be created for different digital audiences (the same way in which we present ourselves differently to different audiences in "real life") 
• I find all of the new social networking possibilities interesting, and time-saving. I can share the goings-on in my life with my family and friends with the click of a (several) button(s) (on my keyboard which will spell the name of both the URL I am seeking and the message I wish to type into it). Sometimes it just makes sense. 
• It feels sort of nice to just toss things out there into the abyss 

As you could see in the second section of my blog post, I have not fully embraced this kumbaya mentality surrounding my digital identity. But, as you can also tell by the intro, I am giving it a trial run.

Until next week, (I mean, assuming that you do not think that what I have to say is boring, pretentious, irrelevant, or stupid, of course),

Britt