I was thinking about reflection and its role in learning and found a terrific chapter entry on the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) website, that give’s many suggestions and ideas on how to incorporate reflective activities into lessons. One that struck me in particular was on role modelling the behaviour; something I’m going to have to start making more of an effort to do. I wonder how many people actually know how to reflect on their learning or even on their lives. How many people keep journals or diaries that not only document the events in their days but also describe the feelings that were associated with the activities?

I don’t keep a regular written journal but I had lots of opportunity for reflection a few years ago when an accident changed my world tremendously. In 2002, I was working as a volunteer professional with an NGO and numerous small communities in a beautiful marine area, called Malampaya Sound, on the island province of Palawan in the Philippines. A perfectly avoidable accident landed me in hospital with a spinal cord injury that left me with partial quadriplegia and began a journey of reflection that lasted for several years. As I slowly regained some abilities, learned to accommodate the disabilities, and re-established my independence, the internet became my lifeline to both my personal and professional worlds.

The funny thing is, while I have embraced many aspects of the digital world, social media isn’t one of them. I have been nudged into the world of social media by a few friends, mostly from back in the Philippines where the social media frenzy took off many years ahead of the West. I have stubbornly avoided new technology trends, usually describing them as time wasters for people with nothing better to do. I still don’t own a cell phone. That’s kind of a lie, I was texting in the Philippines 14 years ago but gave it up when I came back to Canada because it was unheard of here at that time.  I opened a Twitter account several years ago on the urging of a friend and colleague I admire but have yet to send a Tweet. Tweeting about this blog entry will be will be my first. I will have to make a designated effort to start following some Twitter feeds that may benefit my learning, such a #OLTD, #Deep Bay, #rlabonte, and the accounts of some of my fellow students. So I’ve added a note to my calendar that every Saturday morning to check my Twitter feeds at coffee time.

As a biologist, my professional network is built on work connections and research associations. My learning progresses through researching online and through libraries, and by trying to stay on top of recent advances in my field through journals, which aren’t so recent by the time they’re published. I also keep up with new ideas and discoveries at a number of other institutions through their websites, by attending conferences, and through discussions with colleagues.

Now as an online educator, I want to set up a more structured personal learning network that will help me meet my online learning objectives. So first I need to identify my learning objectives, sketch out a learning plan (for another time), and begin making connections to build my learning network.

My online learning objectives

• Answer my critical challenge question from OLTD 501: Does blended learning really enhance laboratory courses?
• Better understand what advantages online learning activities can bring to my classroom and how to implement them in such a way as to ensure student success.
• Build an online learning program to enhance and facilitate marine field school activities.
• Gain some experience and skill with videography and webcasting.
• Become familiar with online collaborative applications like Google+, Scribblar, and others. Check out http://www.creativebloq.com/design/online-collaboration-tools-912855
• Try some cool presentation applications like PowToon, http://www.powtoon.com/.
• Start building my learning network.

Network connections to check out

• OLTD Shared Learning Community on Google+; * contribute https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/112070789935730182047?cfem=1
• NAME Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators; * join the BC section

Coming Events to Consider Attending

• Ed Web seminars http://home.edweb.net/professional-learning-communities-with-free-webinars/
  • 2015, Dec 18, 2-3 pm EST. Webinar: 7 best practices and Pitfalls of Professional Development
  • 2015, Dec 17, 4:00 EST. Webinar: Google the great differentiator.
• NAME Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators http://www.pacname.org/chap.shtml
  • 2016, Aug 14-18. Conference at Metchosin, BC. Pearson College
• Techknowledge conference, Reimagine Learning, looks interesting
  • 2016, Jan 13-15, http://www.tkconference.org/  Wouldn’t Las Vegas in January be nice?

 
To be continued.