Please note: This blog post is a course related assessment for the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology program at Royal Roads University. Activity 2 of LRNT 521 required learners to create a visual of their digital networks to identify where and how we are situated within their network. As I continue to reflect on my social media practices, this exercise allowed me to gain a holistic view of my social media presence on LinkedIn and Twitter, as well as learn about the benefits and limitations of the different applications that allow social media users to gain analytical information… Read More
Author: Brandon Carson
Digital Presence and Digital Identity Plan
Goal and Purpose My overall goal and purpose for improving my digital presence and identity are to build new connections with individuals working in post-secondary education, people who are passionate about education and technology, and to open up new part-time and full-time work opportunities. Boyd (2011) states that social networks are used to build a digital presence and to share information with people who have an interest in the topic. Continuing to network with those that I have already connected with and building stronger relationships will open up new opportunities and will introduce me to new findings in my area… Read More
Conceptual Map of Digital Technology Use
Using the Visitors and Residents paradigm by White & LeCornu (2011) and the mapping framework developed by White (2013), I have created a Visitor vs. Resident conceptual map that highlights my use of digital tools for both personal and professional use. White & LeCornu (2011) define being a visitor as using a digital tool to perform a specific task. Once the task is complete, the individual ceases using the tool and does not use it again until it is required. They go on to define a resident as a person who lives within the digital setting, spending time with other… Read More
MALAT Virtual Symposium Review
I had the pleasure of attending the Master of Arts in Learning and Technology (MALAT) Virtual Symposium, a five-day event covering several different areas of the field of digital learning. Although the symposium happened in real-time during the month of April, it kept with the MALAT programs theme of Open and is still available for asynchronous viewing. The event is broken into three separate tracks and although each one is of interest to me, I chose to attend the Stories from the Field track. This aligns with my current role in the Durham College Centre for Academic and Faculty Enrichment… Read More
What makes a good research question?
This question “What makes a good research question?” is important to me, as I hope to take the Thesis Steam in this program and am currently communicating with the Director of the Educational Informatics Laboratory (EILab) at the UOIT Faculty of Education, to see how I can stay connected and involved with the institution I completed my undergraduate degree with. During my undergraduate degree, we had a Thesis I and Thesis II course, where we were able to complete either primary or secondary research. This is not to the extent of a full graduate level Thesis; however, it does allow… Read More