Weekly Report & Reflection blog post #4

Hey again!

WebstreatECT, (2010).

This week I learned a lot when exploring bookmarking, the use of tagging, and how they will be useful in my educational activities. I learned about a new bookmarking tool called Diigo which is a cloud based personal information management system. I found it really interesting because it provides us all with tools on all major web browsers such as google chrome and Firefox. This really made me realize how much more technology is out there that I have not yet experienced nor know about. Diigo will be extremely helpful and useful in my educational activities because it provides me with a quick snapshot of current contents of a particular topic that I am interested in just like RSS feeds do! It allows me too collect and access a variety of resources that I have previously visited by bookmarking them so I do not loose my pages. I also learned that Diigo allows you to make digital highlights and sticky notes on different websites, blogs, or articles that you are reading so you can keep note of important facts or interesting parts of the article that you like or find relevant. I think that this is going to be very beneficial to my education because it is very time sufficient as it ables you to revisit pages and continue where you left off. The Key Values of Diigo are research, sharing, and collaborating which are all important in turns of expanding my digital literacy and personal learning environment. Another benifit to using Diigo is that all my data is stored on a cloud on my library so I can open it regardless of what computer or device I am on. Diigo also is really fascinating because I can share with others, and see what others read, tag, or post which is helpful in expanding my knowledge and sharing my thoughts. Valid and reliable online bookmarks contribute to my work in building knowledge because Diigos capture feature allows me to make side notes on certain websites to I can expand on the information infront of me as well as make useful connections to others ideas. Overall, I believe that Diigo makes my web search much more productive and it makes sharing and collaborating so much easier. It is not only beneficial to myself but many other digital learners as it aims to dramatically improve online productivity.

After learning a lot about Diigo bookmarking I would categorize it under organization and socialization. The reason for organization is for obvious reasons as you can organize your bookmarks by adding tags to different links and associations. I would also put bookmarking under socialization because you are able to share and collaborate your bookmarks with others.  I will continue to use this bookmarking website as it is very helpful to keep me well organized, and if I forget my computer at home, I will still be able to access my bookmarks from another device on campus. Throughout this session I think that I am becoming more digitally literate as I am using several different web browsers and making use of them leading to my digital footprint growing more and more each week.

Write again next week!
Jess

Weekly Report & Reflection Post #3

Howdy y'all,

This week I learned all about RSS feeds! If you have read my previous blog post you probably already have a little bit of an idea of what they are. RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication" and it acts like a bookmarking website. What I find so interesting about RSS feed is that it does not only keep tabs on blog entries, news headlines, audio and videos, BUT it uses a family of standard web feed formats to publish frequently updated information. RSS feeds are a great tool to add to my personal learning environment as it helps me organize web feeds that I am interested in. This means that all of daily posts that you like to watch or read are in one place and are constantly being updated (Boswell, 2015). Feeds that interests me the most are healthy foods, fitness, and sports. I find Feedly very useful to be able to view all my feeds at one time through one interface.

Netrivet, Inc. (2016)

For part of this week I have to share an item with you from my feed reader that interests me. Being that it is a new year, many people like to set a resolution goal. The most common goal that most people make is to get in shape and eat healthy. I myself am also one of these people therefore, an item from my feed reader that I can share with those of you that are in the same boat as myself is Stop Making New year's Resolutions. Do This Instead. I think this informed my own learning because it is a very realistic approach to why we fail as sticking to our resolutions. It helped my understand that we are all creatures of habit and are products of our environment. We can fall off the track once and a while, but it is how we get back on track that matters. The two big take home messages from this blog post was to surround yourself with others who have the same aspirations, and to build a habit. It takes 28 days to make a habit but only 1 day to break it.

Thomas, E. (2013)

RSS Feed readers like myself build a lot of knowledge about digital literacy, responsibility, and citizenship. RSS feeds expanded my digital literacy as it was a different form of technology that I have not learned about before this class. This make me realize how much more is out there that I do not know about which comes to show how rapidly technology is advancing. This is very important because you must be responsible and have proper citizenship on anything that you do or comment on online as there are so many places in which it can end up.
I would classify RSS feed to be a organization tool because like I have mentioned before, it catergorizes all of my favourite blogs, news, articles, videos ect., that I am interested in a web feed that is constantly being updated. Therefore, I would put RSS feed under my organization section of my personal learning environment (PLE).

Thanks for reading!
Jess

My Experience with RSS Feeds

Sonja, (2016)

Through experiencing my first time with RSS feeds I have found many fascinating blogs that I am interested in such as health, fitness, sports, and clean eating. Being a Kinesiology student health and wellness is something that I live by. I believe that it is very important to be active while eating clean in order to be the best that you can be. Eating healthy is key in university as this is the point in our lives that most young adults experience weight gain.  Therefor the first topic I decided to feed was "healthy" and I came across  Minimalist Cooking & 10 Simple, Healthy Weeknight Meals. I found this very suitable for myself because I love to eat healthy but I have a very busy schedule. This blog gave me 10 quick and easy meals to make after a long day or for those who don't like cooking. I suggest readers who are in the same boat as myself who are constantly struggling to stay clean while being busy to take a look at this blog as it may provide you with some insight on healthy easy ideas.

Thanks for reading!
Jess

Week 2- PLE

Hey Everyone!

This week in class I learned all about my PLE which stands for my Personal Learning Environment.

I was able to see how I was a networked student by looking at the tools I use on a daily basis from a process prospective. Two new tools that I used to help me envision how I was taking control and responsibility for my learning are called Popplet and Wordle. 

Westerhoek, J. (CC) 2016.

I used Wordle by pasting my last weeks blog post into a text box which generated a "word cloud" of what text was most frequently used. This was a neat tool as I feel it was a good way to look at the summarizing of my previous blog. I believe that Wordle is a good use for self reflection as you can see how things change over time based on a new Wordle you create. The other tool I used in order to organize the tools I used to make me a networked student in my personal learning environment was Popplet. This program allowed me to create a mind map/ flow chart of technologies I used when socializing, practicing digital literacy, practicing digital responsibility, creating, and organizing. I found that I used a lot more technology then I thought I used making me realize how important digital literacy is. I am not surprised that I use the most technology when socializing as it is a huge part of communication now a days. In order to socialize I use text messaging, face-time, Hotmail, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat all of which I use on a daily basis. When looking at the school end of things I use a lot of online tools and programs to generate presentations such as powerpoint, prezi, wiki, iMovie, and blogger. As you can see in my Popplet I require the use of technology for many other tasks as well. 

Westerhoek, J. (CC) 2016.

When asked where I envision myself in 5-10 years time (26-31) I picture myself finished school having a secure job within my field, having enough financial stability to invest in a home, being married, and of had my first child. I would like to be an amazing mother, wife, Prosthetic Engineer, and Kinesiologist. Right now I am 21 in my third year of Kinesiology at Brock University, dating my best friend Justin and am well supported by my loving family. I believe that my goals are realistic and achievable as I feel that I am a very motivated, driven, and positive individual. However, in order to get to where I want to be I must gain the knowledge and skills of what it takes to finish my degree successfully. I plan on doing so by utilizing several web tools that will allow me to remain organized such as using my phone calendar and notes. When having a career or any type of professional relation I must also have proficient communicating skills which I will maintain through social networks such as Hotmail and staying up to date on important news through social media. Although using technology is very important and allows for various positive aspects, it can also be very distracting. Therefore, in order to be a successful learner, an appropriate environment is crucial. Being said, I will adapt my environment in such a way by removing unnecessary technology such as Facebook, instant text messaging, and all other social networks to better meet my learning needs. 

Thanks for reading!

Jess

Week1- Digital Footprint

Hi again!

This week in class I learned a lot about what a digital footprint is and what it means to have a positive digital footprint. I also learned a lot about what I can do in order to maintain a positive footprint and how it progresses over time. The first question I asked my self was do I really want a digital footprint? Well my answer to this would be YES. For those of you who do not know what a digital foot print is, it is a trail or trace of your own "footprint" that you leave of your self online. This footprint progresses over time and is basically a documentary of how you grow as digital user. The reason why I want to have a digital footprint is because I love reflecting back on my life and how far I have come. The first footprint many have is before they are even born through a sonogram in your mothers belly. These pictures are used to send to family about the big news or even use them in memory books. My digital footprint allows for capturing my first stand, walk, words, day of school and many other "first times". I am thankful I get to look back on these pictures that I would otherwise not have experienced if it wasn't for a digital footprint. Mine along with many others digital footprints progress so rapidly because before you are even out of the hospital your name, gender, weight, and blood type are already put into a computer starting the documentation of your growth. Things such as surveillance cameras when you are walking in and out of stores are recording your tracks. I am glad I have a ditigal footprint even for the safety and protection of myself and others. It is important to also have a digital footprint because it gives others (such as employer) a chance to see who you are and share your own personal brand. 

David Martian Davies (2015, Jul 24). Digital Footprint. Retrieved from
http://tpr.org/post/views-brews-whos-tracking-your-digital-footprint#stream/0

A positive digital footprint I believe is following the Netiquette rules. I believe that there is a really strong relationship between following Netiquette rules and a positive footprint because these rules represent the correct and acceptable way of 
communication on the internet. This is important because it reflects positive social interaction and generates trust between digital users leading to a positive reflection on your digital use and experience. Following these rules lead to having a positive footprint as it allows individuals to have privacy while being online, and not having to worry about being stalked or invaded. There are many strategies everyone should use along with myself that will help in maintaining a positive digital footprint. I will make sure that I do not give out my password to others as it could lead to possible hacks posting things on my social media that can never be taken back. In order to maintain a positive footprint I will check google once in a while to make sure that there is no inappropriate pictures or information that others may have posted of myself. Lastly, the most important strategy is one I have control over which is posting appropriate, positive, and relevant topics/ photos that I would be fine with anyone seeing including family and future employers.

Thanks for reading... Until next time!
Jess

Hello Readers,
My name is Jessica Lynn Westerhoek and I am currently enrolled in my third year of Kinesiology at Brock University. I am a student athletic trainer for the varsity wrestling team and I am aspiring to continue my education after next year in hope to become an Athletic therapist. I am very interested in my program and I am consistently striving to maintain an honour roll avergage. I have recently adopted a kitten as I am a huge animal lover, and I also have a golden retriever. I have a very loving family consisting of my mom, dad, little brother, and older sister. My hobbies consist of hockey, snowboarding, and hanging out with friends. I have played hockey for 14 years, and I was just currently on a snowboarding trip with my family in British Columbia.

A lot has happened this month as my sister has got engaged on our family trip and she has asked me to be her maid of honour! The resort we stayed in was Big White Ski Resort and it is the second time we have been here. Our parents allowed us all to take our significant others this year so my boyfriend Justin Tranmer came along with. This was a very exciting and new experience for us all as I have not yet been on a trip with him. We got to cross a few things off our bucket lists such as dog sledding and going on a horse sleigh ride. Dog sledding was an amazing experience because like I said I am a huge animal lover and the scenery in Kelowna is absolutely breathtaking. Some other things that are on my bucket list are skydiving, bungie jumping, hot air balloon ride, get married, have a family, go to a tropical place, going to every NHL rink, going up the CN tower, backpack Europe, go surfing, go scuba diving, hold a monkey, and get a convertible. One of the top experiences in my life was when I went to Spain with my best friend Meagan and her family for three and a half weeks at the end of high school before I came to University.

This journey was full of adventures and first time experiences. We went white water rafting, water canyoning, sailing in the Mediterranean, learned some spanish, went to a local farm, I expanded my food pallet. Overall, this trip was a highlight of my life thus far and I hope to go back soon. A few more things about my self are that I have been a banquet server, wedding bartender, and cart girl at a golf course back home for the fast few summers.  The reason I am writing this post is because I am enrolled in ADED 1P31 and I hope to expand my digital learning from this course as I find that since the world is constantly changing we need to keep up with technology as it is become so advanced. Through the past week I have already learned so much as this is my first blog post, my first time using pintrest, and only my second online course. I am an academic enthusiast, love to learn and grow as a well rounded individual therefore this course will expand my technological background.

Thanks for reading!
Jessica Westerhoek