Weekly Report & Reflection Post #12

This week we have been asked to google ourselves! I have actually googled myself a few times before to see what would pop up, but I have noticed a few more links now. When applying for jobs, employers are more often than not checking online before they call for an interview. My digital footprint says a lot about me, and anyone, including my potential employers, that have access to it! I've tried to maintain a professional digital footprint, and all of the photos and content I produce are things that I can be proud of. Being a positive digital citizen means leaving a positive digital footprint. 

When I use the digital environment to connect with other individuals, I make sure that the information available about me is sufficient for the communication. Other collaborators are able to contact me, as I ensure that my information is listed publicly. I've learned that to be a responsible digital citizen, being flexible and open to new tools is of critical importance. The digital landscape is ever changing, and to keep up, you must continually develop your learning techniques and tools. 

As a digital citizen, I will continue to work collaboratively with others and show them new ways to learn in a digital context. Working with others is a way to further understanding for all parties involved, and the online tools we have explored through this journey will  serve as a basis to encourage this learning. 

I've added a picture of my final PLE diagram (with lots of added tools) and I look forward to developing it in the years to come!

Weekly Report & Reflection Post #11

I had a lot of difficulty this week exploring podcasts. I was hoping to use the Garage Band application as it is produced by the apple store and is a safe tool to download, but it cost $6.99. As I did not want to spend that money on a tool I wasn't sure if I would use, I downloaded Audacity, which I was worried about because it wasn't from an identified developer and could potentially be harmful to my computer. After downloading it, I found that you could not stop record and begin on the same track. Being my first time creating a podcast, I had to try a few times before I was able to properly record and explain my experiences accurately. Once I finished, I had two files within audacity that I combined together to create my finished file. 

I saved the file under two different formats: MP3 and WAV. Neither of these files are compatible with the blogger tool, and as of yet I have not found a way to upload them. I was not immediately able to download the MP3 file, I had to download an additional application to my computer from an unidentified developer. In order to have an html embed code, I must host the file on a separate website and then create the embed code from there. There are no instructions on how to do this so I am unsure of how to proceed. If anyone has some advice for me that would be greatly appreciated. 

I don't think I will be using the Audacity tool moving forward. I don't like the applications interface, and I'm not sure what I would use it for. It seems like I could use the audio recorder on my phone much more easily and I would not have to use downloaded software. 

This week on my Feedly Reader I noticed an article about Brock hosting a free tax clinic! I have never done my own taxes before, and a resource at Brock to guide me through the process is definitely useful. Check it out if, like me, you might need some help in the tax department!

Creative Commons Licensing

Personal Learning Blog by Karina Oleskevich is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Weekly Report & Reflection Post #10

This week, we explored the tool Animoto for its usefulness in producing a slideshow or video. I have never heard of, or used, this tool prior to this week, and I found it difficult to cite my work through the tool. In order to properly reference the source of an image, APA style was to be adhered to. Unfortunately, there was not enough space in the caption option to include a full citation. Only 50 characters were available for use, and the full url of the website I used is longer than this alone. I then thought about creating a separate slide all together that would only include the citations for all of my images. This format would be that same one we used to create the collaborative google docs. As I created my additional text slide, I found that the character restriction of 50 characters was still present.

In order to overcome this challenge, I chose to use the url shortening service from google. This created url's that were no longer than 13 characters and were easier to fit into the caption of the photos. I was then able to add the url, the title of the author, the date, a short description of the image, and the material type.

I found that the free version of Animoto was not very useful if I was looking to create a professional slideshow. The slideshows could only be saved in very low resolution, and if I were to try and present this version on a large screen it would be extremely ineffective. That being said, if I were to pay and update my account, I believe this tool could be very useful to developing presentation.

I didn't find much of an option to collaborate through the Animoto tool, which would hinder the effectiveness of the tool. When developing group presentations, the tool must be easily shared and edited by multiple people at the same time.

Through this exercise, I found that I was largely unaware of the responsibility I had to the producers of content to cite their information. In order to properly give credit to those who create this digital content, I must be more diligent to properly cite the materials I use.

Olsen J. (2016)

This week I noticed that my Feedly reader had an article on the advancement of a Swedish grocery store. This store is completely run by shoppers and does not have any cashiers. Customers scan the barcode on their smartphone and check out via mobile payment. Check out the article and let me know what you think! I would say that this advancement in technology opens up a window for error on the side of technology, because each user must be a responsible digital citizen through their honesty while purchasing.

Weekly Report & Reflection Post #9

I like the ability to view comments on the VoiceThread tool, but I didn't find it very easy to sort through those comments. This tool would be very useful with a small class, or a small group of people working together on a project, but on a large scale, many voices seem to be drowned out. To remedy this, I think a search function that would apply to user names (so that your can look for specific peers' work) and comment content (only the written type) so that you can expand on the information recorded accurately. 

I also really liked the audio visual capabilities of this tool! Although I chose to comment on both posts though the text capabilities, I think being able to explain subjects through video could be very useful! I think I will add this tool to my PLE, and it would be sorted into the digital online tools section. The only thing to remember when using this tool is to only use it with a small subject group. 

This tool doesn't allow for other contributors to edit the document, and it seems that the only way to create a document is though a slideshow. These restrictions do not rival the google drive editing tools, but still have some interesting features.

This week on my Feedly Reader I noticed the blog on College Blender 95 Inspiring Websites of Web Design Agencies. As I am looking to pursue a career in Public Relations, its very important for me to have a personal website. I have created my website through the online tool Weebly, but looking for tips on how to edit it is necessary to catch employers attention. Check it out to see how you can promote your personal brand online!

Also check out my website and let me know if you have any suggestions on how to improve it!

Technology Use Scenario

Scenario #8: Mr. Scott, principle of Rural High School, is walking through the library and sees a student working on a computer. Looking down, he sees that the student is on a music site that requires a credit card to purchase music. Mr. Scott informs the student that the district's acceptable use policy does not allow buying items online using school computers. Should these actions be allowed in school? Why or why not?

I don't believe that online music purchasing is an inappropriate use of technology. That being said, it does not directly pertain to learning in a digital sense. I believe that if a student has completed all of their work, there is no reason they shouldn't be able to use digital technology for a harmless task. What if the student is purchasing music for a music class? Or what if the music is beneficial to their studying habits? It's better that the student is using the internet to legally purchase music, instead of illegally downloading it.

Security on the internet is a very important digital right. I believe that students should be taught how to properly use the internet in a secure way. Using tools like Pay Pal and being able to analyze a site for its credit security is necessary to protect the user. So if the students in a school are obviously using online shopping, they should be taught how to use it safely and securely.

The student in this scenario could have waited to go home before they began using the internet to purchase products, but I don't think the offence is serious enough to warrant any sort of punishment.

Weekly Report & Reflection Post #8

This week was the first time I've encountered the wiki tool, and I'm not sure if I enjoy it more than Google Docs. I like that with Google Drive I am able to have all of my applications under one account, and being required to make a new account for wiki adds another password that I have to remember. Currently I would still say that Google Docs is my favourite tool for develop material in a collaborative way. 

Digital Rights and Responsibilities Concept Map

Looking more deeply at the digital rights and responsibilities we all have was eye opening! The internet is such a large media landscape that people have endless opportunities to access information. This access to information can be extremely useful, when it comes to things such as education, but must be used with caution. Not all individuals on the internet have been made aware of the ownership laws put in place on digital content, but thats where digital literacy plays a huge part! Individuals must be taught early on in their technology use how to appropriately utilize the information they consume. It is important to be wary of information you find, because not all of it is correct. This means that taking the information you find and verifying it with other sources is a large part of research. 


This week while exploring my Feedly Reader I found an awesome article from the New York Times food blog on 8 Recipes for Now. Having not much cooking experience of my own, I have been forced for the last 4 years to fend for myself. You might think that I would have developed some creativity in the kitchen over those 4 years, but I guess cooking isn't my forte. So in any case, I have linked the post to inspire all of you for your next meal (yes cookies can be a meal). 

Enjoy!