The World Wide Web is inspirational and provides so much to every person from every walk of life and age and it will only continue to flourish and develop in the future. From this innovation networks have evolved and the art of picking up the phone or writing a letter to communicate is most definitely a thing of the past. I personally love the access and opportunities it can provide at the touch of a button and would be lost without this interaction. Until recently my husband whilst not so old wouldn't agree with me and was very frustrated by people around him including myself who continually took part in technology until his iPhone landed and oh how things have changed.........he has now joined the club of techies and stepped forward into the future !
And do this leads me onto my top 5 sources of information !
iPhone
I love this piece of equipment and feel lost without it. I actually know my daily life exists on it and most people could probably pick up someone's phone and work out the personality of that particular person by the apps it contains and how busy or basic it is !
From my iphone I access various sources of information. Text messages play an important role in my personal but mostly professional life as I can easily relay messages to high volumes of students and parents to which I can obtain an instant response in most cases. This saves me time as relaying this information by way of a phone call would take too long and the object of efficiency would be impossible. Due to time restraints producing a letter or note is not always possible as an alternative to a text message.
Since having the ability to check my emails through my phone I rarely access them via my laptop, as I can quickly respond to them on the go, and move onto the next.
Access to Banking is also important as when running your own business you always need to be in control of your finances and through my application on my phone I can do this effectively.
As well as fitness apps and many more trusted app friends, I utilise as most people do my iphone to its maximum and would be very lost without it. It provides me with speed, efficiency and practicality whilst going about my daily business.
Internet
The internet has got to be up there on my list of must haves ! Any question needs answering Google has the answer ! Google is most reliable and practical and I utilise it a great deal within my business and personal needs. Without the use of google I would struggle to complete the tasks and modules on the BAPP course as the time element required to visit the library for reference books or indeed visit the university to speak with tutors would be impossible with work commitments.
My children who both attend high school would not know where to begin searching for information in relation to their school work I feel, without the use of the internet.
Is this a negative scenario I ask myself ? I think it could be heavily weighted in favour of the use of a reference book or library access. This way of networking never prevented our predessors of achieving and the action of visiting the library with an intention to learn was achieveable. The library provides a learning environment that can benefit those who do not cope well in their own company, whilst it is a quiet place the comfort of people around them can be beneficial to some.
However, encouragement placed on students today on research on the internet, maybe the reason why the use of a book is not favourable due to the fact that it is so easy to do. It can be found on your laptop/phone, in your own home without the need to venture on a trip to a library. On the negative side this way of learning could provide distraction as there are pathways and links that lead from these pages.
An interesting article produced by Gary Bowman (Edinburgh University) discussing the library v internet raises some good arguments.
Facebook is an important part of the internet for me, not so much personally as I'm not one for posting my every move on it, but do enjoy having a nosy at what others are getting up to whether it be family members or friends from my school days or current friends. It's a great network if used in the right context by those involved. I am wary of its use for young adults as it can be used as a negative tool for some and therefore don't encourage my own children to partake in it. I don't think it would be a problem for my son who is not so influenced by other peoples opinions but definitely not suitable for my 11yr old daughter who at the moment is so much a follower that this form of social access would be inappropriate.
We use Facebook very actively within my dance school with all teachers having access to post comments and pictures when appropriate. These maybe to promote a class or generate support or boost moral amongst students. We try to bring our parents into the lesson by way of posting photographs taken in class which they support highly. I am very aware of ensuring that these posts are deemed suitable and continually check who has access to the page.
ISTD & RAD
As a registered teacher of both these societies I feel I have a duty to continually use these as a network link to my professional development and knowledge building. They provide me with up to date information on syllabus adaptations as well as access to mini-sites for the different dance genres that I offer at my school. I can book my examination sessions though them and liase with relevant members of staff on Professional development Courses. Online shop facilities are available that enable me to purchase new syllabi as it is introduced, which also links through to relevant courses. These are just a few of the resources available to me through these networks but ultimately they provide me with a security blanket as a registered teacher of the society where I can utilise them as and when needed.
School Website
This network is one that I have specifically set up to provide relevant information to existing and new customers. I have endeavoured to provide as much information as possible so that any question can be answered at the click of a button.
The site has a link to our Facebook page for those who may not have direct access as well as information on services we offer outside of dance lessons such as dance parties. I also place links on the website to surveys, generally after an event like a school show has taken place to generate feedback that we can use for the future to provide a better improved service.
I consider our school a Community of Practise as discussed in my previous blog and so welcome discussion and feedback I receive from customers whether it be through the website, Facebook page, survey completion or in verbal discussion. All these networks are invaluable tools to enable my business to learn from, develop and in turn grow maintaining good standards and high expectations.
BAPP
Whilst there are many more sources of information I feel I could discuss, I have chosen BAPP on my list as it is extremely relevant in my current life.
Due to my location up in the North I feel sometimes quite isolated from the rest of my fellow students who are enrolled on the course. Many of them seem able to attend seminars which I wish I could. Whilst I appreciate the degree is work and distance based I do know that I would feel more secure in my learning if I had the opportunity to meet with students and tutors and put faces to names on a frequent basis enabling me to be able to discuss tasks whilst learning from others. After all in my head that's how learning has been in my previous studies interactive and so feels right to me.
Whilst I am aware of the fact that we are all networked together via the MDX site and each other's blogs allowing us to read what we are thinking, a meeting and conversation with a person is sometimes the remedy we need to move us forward from the hurdle we could be facing. Maybe this feeling is because I work in a very 'hands on' learning environment too and know my students benefit from this.
I therefore actively access the network when I am in study mode and continually read and re-read peoples blogs as well as follow those who interest me. However, I am aware that I need to interact more with fellow students by commenting on blogs rather than just reading, thinking and moving on from them. I am extremely influenced within my own head that reading a blog could persuade me to think in that way and replicate the same thoughts rather than use my own ! A challenge I need to overcome !
In conclusion it is evident that networking and sources of information play a great part in my professional and personal life. Without these it raises the question how did we manage before their existence ?
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