Wednesday 17 July 2013

Communicating, connecting and networking

So I'm still in reflection mode about my own learning so you'll have to bear with one more clmooc reflection. And it's not really so much a clmooc reflection as it is a reflection about 2013 so far, my "mooc" year. Since we're supposed to be blogging and sharing I've had a bit of time to review what I've been writing this year. And I've noticed a trend. I write more when I am making than I do when I am supposed to be thinking. In fact, I am beginning to think that all of my writing is dependent on making. I use the make as a springboard to further my understanding of the process of making, the resulting make and how it has impacted my learning. I use the make as a tool to communicate my ideas, and use the sharing of the make as a way to build connections. From my connections, I receive feedback and new ideas for makes, which increases the number of products I make, which foster new communication and new connections. Loop upon loop. Eventually, the connections become a network.

Now, as I am relatively new to the idea of networking my network is not extensive but it is there. And while three months ago I was nervous that I would not maintain my network I realize now that while I might leave my network to go on vacation or because of computer issues or work pressures I will always return. Being connected has become necessary. And that connection requires communication and making to be maintained. Make and share, make and share. My new mantra.

2 comments:

  1. Hi Karen. That's an interesting connection you made between creating (making) and connecting with others through collaboration during the creation process or sharing out what you've created.

    A couple of years ago, I did a 3rd grade job share and kept most of my other tech. contracts, and because I felt a bit overwhelmed, I cut out of Twitter, then Facebook altogether. If I had to do it again, I would've just scaled things back a bit, instead of dropping out. I'm a bit of a Type A personality, and scaling back is a bit tricky for me at times :) So...the past nine months I've been re-establishing connections and trying to create an online "presence". I'm about to blog about this, because by the middle of June, I was so mentally & physically tired, I needed to take a vacation from social media. It definitely helped. I'm working on trying to map out how I want to re-engage social media so that it's a bit more balanced. I really need the online connections with other educators like yourself, for what we learned in ETMOOC - learning is sharing, sharing is learning.

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  2. Glenn, it is so easy to be overwhelmed in this environment that it forces you to really think about communication, your role as a communicator/maker and how deeply or shallowly you wish to commit to the communication. I, too, am a Type A and this has been a good exercise in balance.

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