Chapter 5: Using Tools to Support Connected Learning
Chapter
5 mainly discusses many different tools for connecting and collaborating, such
as blogs, RSS readers, podcasts, microblogs, wikis, and Google documents. Blogs
are “websites that are continually updated with journal like entries, or posts,
usually arranged in chronological order with the most recent appearing first” (Nussbaum-Beach,
77). One type of blog is an edublog. An edublog allows instructors to
communicate with both students and parents. An RSS reader is a way to subscribe
to multiple different blog feed’s and have all of the new content appear in one
place. For example, Google reader is a blog reader that will allow you to subscribe
to the RSS feed of a blog you like. Next, podcasts are “audio or video files” (Nussbaum-Beach,
80). Podcasts are similar to television series in the way that they both have
episodes. Podometic is an example of one, and is a free tool that allows you to
record, produce, and publish a broadcast. Microblogs are tools that allow you
to share information quickly and efficiently. Twitter is a prime example, as it
allows you to tweet a brief and concise thought in a matter of seconds. “A wiki
is a webpage that allows a group to work collaboratively by facilitating
planning, collaboration, and project coordination. Wikispaces is a great
example, however, Google documents is not. Google documents are different
because it takes the place of software for generating word-processing
documents/spreadsheets.
Managing your online reputation is essential
in today’s world. It is crucial to “build your own professional webpage or
blog, stack the deck in your favor, share your insights, be professional at all
times, and track yourself” (Nussbaum-Beach, 88). In my future, “building my own
professional webpage” will be very important. In order to start a private
occupational therapy practice I will need to spread my contact information,
specialty, and curriculum vitae. One of the best ways to do this is to create
my own professional webpage that is inviting and user friendly. Readability, navigation,
and mobile-optimization will all play a role in how successful my webpage is.
Without this webpage, my private practice would most likely fail.
Works Cited:
Nussbaum-Beach,
Sheryl, and Lani Ritter. Hall. The Connected Educator: Learning and
Leading in a
Digital Age. Solution Tree Press, 2012.
I like the pictures that you used. Also, I agree that managing your online reputation is essential in today’s world. Building my own professional webpage is also important for my future career as a financial analyst because I believe that once I am interviewed for a job they will definitely look for me online and if I have a blog that I post frequently on updating people on what is going on in the economy I could be chosen over other applicants.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of things would you post about if you have a blog in the future?
Your inclusion of "stacking the deck in your favor" is a key point when thinking about your online appearance. As professionals, we must be proactive in forming our online appearance. Creating a personal web page and blogging career-related material could be extremely helpful when researched by potential employers. Once I am a financial adviser, I will need to maintain my online appearance and keep my personal web page updated so that potential clients can learn more about me and feel confident when choosing to work with me. I plan to include some updates in my personal life so that clients feel they an relate to me, but mainly focusing on how my services would be beneficial for them. What information would you include on your business website to persuade clients to choose your practice?
ReplyDeleteI believe your online reputation is very important especially in the world we live in today. Everyone is posting their daily lives on every social media platform but they do not realize that what they are posting represents their online reputation. People should be more aware about what they put online could affect them getting a job or make them look less professional. In the criminal justice field a lot of police departments are looking at social media in order to help them with solving a crime. A lot of offenders post their crimes or talk about it on social media so it makes the police's jobs easier in finding them. People should be more cautious in what they post online.
ReplyDeleteI think Twitter is the best connecting form that it is out there. It is can be utilized by everyone, and it has simple tools for everyone to use. I have been recently seeing a lot of my followers tweeting at discussion forms on Twitter that their professors use instead of discussion post on Blackboard. I think it is actual creative to use Twitter as a discussion board. What I saw as the common theme is that professors would tweet a question or a statement, the students would respond to the tweet with a short response, and they were also able to see who responds to the thread. Since Twitter can be utilized more in the classroom, I think it could be a bigger form for discussions among professionals.
ReplyDeleteHey Taylor! I enjoyed viewing your blog. I liked the pictures you have selected but also the quote, "build your own professional webpage or blog, stack the deck in your favor, share your insights, be professional at all times, and track yourself” (Nussbaum-Beach, 88). I enjoy this quote because it is so true and what this chapter is expressing. As a future educator this is so important to build and make sure it is professional. Although I am not doing my own private practice, I do agree that this is so important for you as well. Creating websites, blogs, and so on is a great way to spread your practice. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOther than a website what else do you think would help promote your practice? Podcast, blogs, ext. ?
Hi Taylor! I really enjoyed reading your blog post! I think the idea of making your own web page to help bring customers to your future business as a private practice occupational therapist is a great idea. This will really help you gain clients who are interested in your profession. I think this weeks good and bad website lesson! Using the information you learned from the chapter and the lesson, it will really help you work on your website once you graduate!
ReplyDelete