Emma Dalton BA PP

Another week has flown by meaning that it was time for a group discussion on skype. Now if I’m honest I think this has been my hardest week to date of this course. I have been unbelievably busy with my work schedule and the preparation work that goes along side this. As we approach summer show term I’m sure other teachers will understand the manic schedules! On top of this I found myself completely lost with this course. I couldn’t work out what I should be doing, what I should be reading let alone contemplate starting my essay assignment. Feeling lost is not something I am comfortable with and it’s the first time that I have really felt on a “distant” learning course. So this chat came at the perfect time! Although we weren’t told exactly what to write or what is classed as right and wrong on this course, talking with other students gave me an idea if I was on the right track. I think that’s the hardest thing sometimes- the self doubt! An American Poet called Sylvia Plat...

Since beginning this course I have annotated my module handbook, been reading research material, blogging, starting suggested tasks and mainly trying to get my head around the course. So I decided the best next step for me was to attend the campus session to discuss my thoughts and ideas to see if I was heading down the correct route. This course is so reflective and therefore with no definitive “Yes or No” answer it can make you question your approach to subjects! Thankfully I came away from this session sensing I was on the right path! I have a long way to go but I now feel confident in my steps. A sticky topic for me has been Ethics and applying them to my practice. What I discovered is that instead of questioning the situation and asking ‘WHY?’ I was just trying to find answers. We need to question the assumptions we make instead of finding reasons or excuses. It is all about the approach rather than the thing. The questions we ask and the reflection we make are what create...

This was the first group skype call that I had been a part of since the "introductory" call and therefore I was unsure what to expect. I didn't know if we would be just be finding out information or  discussing thoughts on what we had been researching.  After beginning the call by introducing ourselves and what we believe our practice is, Adesola gave us some discussion points to start talking about. One point arose that I found really interesting. This was about Ethics and how these have an impact on our work and our lives. Now initially I had no idea what Ethics really meant- you hear people using the word "Ethical" in day to day life, but would they be able to define it if you asked them? Therefore I looked up the dictionary definition of the word Ethics and this is what I found-  "ethics;   "a complex of moral precepts held or rules of conduct followed by an individual"  In short, Ethics are how we reflect upon something that has happe...

Collective Intelligence.... using Web 2.0 on the internet Now let me backtrack a little here and just explain what Web 2.0 actually is. This is a platform that allows users to take control of their work on the internet. It creates communities that can interact with one another, encouraging communication and participation. It allows users to evolve and encourages them to develop their ideas through debate. Which is what I'm doing right now. I'm writing a blog from my flat, which I know will be accessed by people all over the world and therefore I encourage you to comment and engage in discussion. I have just been reading about Collective Intelligence and Connectivism in the module one handbook and a couple of really interesting questions were raised. In society "Does everyone have equal access to connectivity through the internet?" Initially you would think the answer would be yes! The information is on these platforms that can be accessed by anyone and therefore i...