Flight Path
Current Coordinates
As I enter the final year of my computer science degree, my understanding of personalized learning and social media for education comes from my own recent endeavours. To me, personalized learning means stepping away from predetermined path and seeking out the specific knowledge to achieve personal freedom and independence. My background in this area has been highly practical. Recently, I started an Instagram page to document my progress in learning new skills, such as DJing and golf, effectively using short-form video as self-directed learning.
The skills I bring to this course are a hybrid of the technical and the creative. I have experience with visual storytelling through editing platforms like DaVinci Resolve, and managing independent projects. More importantly, I bring a strong drive, as I view digital networks primarily as tools to achieve a life where I can ultimately buy back my own time.
Mapping the Route
My primary goal in EDCI 338 is to understand how to strategically build and leverage a Personal Learning Network (PLN) to support my shift away from traditional corporate tech roles and toward independent business ventures. I am eager to explore how social media can be utilized not just for casual consumption, but as a mechanism for continuous education and community building.
This ambition aligns closely with several course objectives. I am particularly focused on applying social media to support my professional development. Furthermore, by developing a robust PLN, I aim to take full ownership of how I acquire, validate, and apply knowledge in the real world. I believe that mastering these networked literacies will improve my career prospects, moving me closer to financial independence rather than relying on standard industry employment pathways.
Anticipating Turbulence
While I am entirely comfortable with the technical demands of creating media and adapting to new software, the conceptual and legal frameworks surrounding digital spaces appear more daunting. Specifically, fully grasping the nuances of data ownership, copyright law, and Creative Commons licensing will be a small challenge. Since my creative outputs often involve mixing existing audio or evaluating digital trends, understanding the precise, ethical boundaries is critical.
To navigate these challenges, I plan to engage actively in our Microsoft Teams channels, ask targeted questions about specific licensing scenarios, and critically evaluate the digital platforms I currently use every day. By maintaining an open, analytical mindset, I intend to build a solid ethical and legal foundation to support my future digital ventures.