Looking Ahead -- Creating a Portfolio

While discussing grad programs with a friend recently, the idea of portfolios came up. By the end of my ISLT master's program, I will need to produce a portfolio...but I'll be honest, I have no idea what that should look like. Obviously I will meet with my advisor and conduct a little independent research, but for some reason right now I find the idea of a portfolio incredibly daunting. 

Have you ever had to produce a portfolio as a graduation requirement? Please feel free to share any tips and tricks with this newbie!

 

                                                       -Ello (he/him/his)

Personal Learning Networks

 I really enjoyed my deep dive into Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) for our final paper. It's one thing to read about them during the semester, and a completely different to synthesize a semester's-worth of learning into a 4 page paper. As a final homage, I'm even hear blogging about my experience, which is what PLNs are all about!

I was even discussing the fact that I was writing this paper with a Bumble match earlier (can dating apps be considered part of PLN? I could write an entire dissertation about that!), and they even mentioned they studied PLNs in-depth during their own higher ed. degree. So thank you, Web 2.0 tools, for bringing me one step closer to finding love 😂

                                                                     Cheers!

                                                               Ello (he/him/his)

The Importance of Static Information (How I didn't read the class announcements and now I might be royally screwed)

 Hey Fam,

While researching for my Personal Learning Paper, I came across a schoarly article that defined dynamic vs. static information. Dynamic information stimulates ongoing discussion in the form or multiple posts, while static information provides information without soliciting a response. An  announcement would be considered static information.

Incidentally, with my increased workload due to month-end, I did not read Monday's class announcement (100% my own fault)...the one that said blog posts and participation logs are due on FRIDAY. Here we are, on Saturday evening, and I am frantically trying to post blogs that probably will not count. This would be the third week I didn't blog (we got a free pass on two weeks), and as my grade is somewhere around a solid B, I am unsure how this will impact me.

Alas, this is my own fault, but I really wanted to end the semester on a high note! 

how are you feeling as we ride out the last few hours of the summer semester together?

                                  Frantically yours,

                                                  Ello (he/him/his)

References:

Osatuyi, B. (2013). Information sharing on social media sites. Computers in Human Behavior., 29(6), 2622–2631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.07.001

It's The Final Countdown (of the the Semester)

 Happy Sunday!

It's been a LONG week of a LONG semester, so here's a little humor to help get you through!

I personally find that humor makes stressful situations more bearable, and I'm always relieved to laugh away the stress (even for just a moment).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw

When times get stressful, what do you do to reset your attitude?

as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

                                                             -Ello (he/him/his)

Are you watching the Olympics?

 Well, the Olympics have officially begun, and I know plenty of people who are very excited!

I used to get caught up in the hubbub, although admittedly I don't follow most sports (and, aside from Swimming, I don't really care for any of the events). Even still, there's an undeniable energy surrounding a global event and its history of goodwill. I was even going to attend an Opening Ceremony reception this past Friday morning before work (alas, the snooze button got the better of me, and I eventually got out of bed and went straight to work sans Olympics).

However, maybe it's just living in COVID times, or perhaps we are just becoming more aware of the inequity associated with the Games, but I am less enthused than usual this Olympics. First learning about the Olympic committee refusing to allow Black swimmers to wear special caps designed for their hair, then about runner Sha'Carri Richardson being disqualified due to Marijuana usage (with the drug labeled as "performance enhancing"), it is becoming evident that BIPOC athletes are continuing to be singled out negatively versus their white counterparts. 

For example, while Ms. Richardson was denied entry to the games after testing positive for Marijuana, Soccer player Megan Rapinoe was touted for her use of CBD in her training regimen in a recent Forbes article. (**note**the main difference in Rapinoe's usage is that CBD products do not contain THC, thus technically falling under a different category of supplement).

I know nothing about drugs, but it's very hard to deny the history of criminalization that has been waged against BIPOC for drug usage, and this recent incident is one in a long line of examples.

So while I will root for team USA during the Olympic Games, I sincerely hope this incident sparks enough outrage to encourage some much-needed reform in how the Olympic Committee defines and addresses drug/supplement usage, and that they do not pick and choose who policies apply to.

                                                                    -Ello (he/him/his)

References:

https://www.revolt.tv/news/2021/7/23/22590921/shacarri-richardson-trends-twitter-megan-rapinoe-cbd   

Produsage and Pinterest

 Good evening, fam!

I just submitted my assignment due tonight (and for once I didn't even ride it out until the 11:59 PM deadline!)...the assignment theme was about Produsage, which I actually find really interesting. The idea that people can pool together thoughts and ideas to produce a single document is fascinating, and I would have loved to have gone into it in more detail (alas, at the end of it, time/motivation got the better of me, and I only completed the basic "concept" version).

I wrote my paper on the idea of using Pinterest as a hub for an Intro to Hospitality class. I even created a very brief lesson plan (a first for me) outlining assignments and how Pinterest would be used to support submission of the class work, exchange of ideas, and assessment by the instructor.  

Fellow EME6414 classmates, how did you address Produsage in your assigmnents?

                                           I can't believe the semester is almost over!

                                                          -Ello (he/him/his)

Due for a Digital Detox Soon!

 I am so jealous of the people in class who have taken a digital detox! As July progresses, I realize I need one too...so stay tuned!

I need to pick a day to do it, but when? Weekdays are full of work and errands, while weekends are for NOT being at work (ha!) and usually classwork...so when can I detox? I might have to just wait until the mini break between Summer and Fall semesters...

                                                                   -Ello (he/him/his)