Social Learning: Variety of Interactions

Social Learning. I understand its importance, but I have always had the need to do things myself; I try NEVER to ask for help even when I KNOW I desperately need it because I am sure I can formulate the answers. I am stubborn and, occasionally, egocentric (but then again, which artist isn't every once in a while?). I think that is also another problem I have had with this class (as if I hadn't already named a few): I have gotten so used to relying on myself I failed to fully appreciate the access I have to educators from around the world. To sum up: this class essentially got me to do things I have never consistently had done in the past. I can write essays, I can study for midterms, I can ace finals, I can do these things but I almost couldn't do what this class was asking of me: it was almost too foreign.

I feel I have learned a LOT and was able to experience a WIDE variety of perspectives and ideas about teaching and learning, as well as, insights into peoples' personal experiences. Again, as I mentioned in my previous post, I absorbed a lot of knowledge but failed to blog-u-late it. I feel more comfortable keeping it in my notebooks. Somehow the ink on the page relaxes me as I feel it has more permanency and, I guess, security. For some reason I feel comfort keeping a notebook, as if, it is something of my own, shaping my own personal experience, creating something that is unique to me. I still haven't got into the flow of blogging, but I have tried. I feel confident in the small steps I have made (although to me they feel like giant leaps).

In order to tackle each one of these sections thoughtfully I have decided to do four separate posts. Here is a break-down of the variety of interactions I was able to use this semester:

Variety of Interactions


I was able to experience a wide variety of online interactions throughout this semester, stuff I had never done before in my life:

The NEW

1. Writing Blog Posts (Photography 101 and Erika's Blog) - It was amazing to have an instantaneous reaction to your ideas and thoughts. It also felt great to actually have a voice and be heard in this digital space, even though it was mostly from my classmates. I felt comfortable with the tech tasks and rarely moved out from that realm, but when I did I ensured that these posts were passionate and meaningful to me. I did filter out a lot of my ideas, which I tend to do: it took me two years to let my ideas flow comfortably and freely in my PERSONAL sketchbooks. I know with more time the filter I have placed between my fingers and keyboard will eventually dissolve.


2. Commenting on Others' Blogs - There were about six blogs from our class that I left comments in and a few from the 455 class I occasionally did (once or twice). Dionne's blog, though, was my main hub. Many of the topics she discussed and was writing about really interested me or pushed my buttons. I tended to skim through things that didn't interest me and while some did, I didn't feel the necessity to leave comments. Our biggest and most meaningful interaction was this blog post. Others: Robin - calligraphy and personal arts project, Jaclyn - Alisa Miller: Why we know less than ever about the world, Dionne - Final Project [Project #1 Done] , Through the Needle's Eye: An Inuit Folktale, What Kind of World Do We Live In?,Tessa - Frustrated, Sir Robinson…Creativity and Education, Amber - Voicethread, Animoto Video, Final Project, Podcasts: Tech Task 14, and Alej - Story in a Blink. Also a few comments on Sarah's and Mickey's (who did an AWESOME collaborative poem!)


3. Responding to Comments in my Blog - I always tried to respond thoughtfully and respectfully to peoples' comments on my blog posts (when that happened). It was only after my first Podcast that I started to see an opportunity to really extend my thoughts into my comment thread: Stuck in PreCMP.


4. SKYPE! - I Skyped twice over this semester. Both times to Teryl from Knoxville. It was an interesting experience to know that someone else was watching and talking to you from across the continent. I have decided to continue our mentorship because I have had little time to try to help Teryl and her class. I am excited!


5. Twitter - Although not personally, Dean had mentioned a few of my blog posts in his twitter, an action from which I received a variety of comments from educators from all over this land. I have given in to Twitter (I have mentioned that it took months and months of pressuring before I finally got Facebook, months and months in this class sort of swayed me), although I have done nothing of importance, yet, besides following Dean (and Coldplay), I am sort of dipping my toe in the water just to get a basic idea. I initially got it because of that confusing Wednesday a few weeks ago, when Dean was really late and I was getting worried. Anyways here is my twitter id: efolnovic (if you want to follow me or whatever...). Don't expect me to reply though if you send me a tweet I am still very slow and forgetful...


6. Wikispaces - My mentorship with Sheri from Washington had me looking and commenting in their wiki (a space they use in place of "Words"). Although I have yet to explore creating my own wiki, it was neat to see how her class was using and shaping their wiki. I have also made the executive decision to continue with her class, because, like with Teryl, I barely got started.

The Relatively-New/Old

1. Texting and Facebook - Alej and I used texting and Facebook wall posts, chats and messages as a way of communicating about this class, mostly in terms of looking for some help.


2. E-mail - VERY VERY essential. E-mailing is not a new concept to me but using it so extensively is. I am pretty sure I received (or sent) e-mails almost daily about ECMP, from blogs (leaving comments and following comment threads), about surveys, from people with questions, from my mentorship classrooms, e-mailing Dean about project changes, etc. E-mail was integral to my success in this class.