Task 3d : Critical Questions and issues that emerge

To be quite honest this task is a mountain to climb in my opinion as quite frankly I don't no where to begin or even how to start it ! What do I write ? I think my best way forward is to attempt answer the questions suggested to me in the reader.

I have been busily commenting on fellow students blogs today from the differing tasks in Part 3 as I have not managed to do this for various reasons :
* lack of time
* by reading these blogs feel they may influence my own writing too much
* don't read through an article properly, as I have mastered the art of skip reading. A note to oneself for the future is to endeavour to be connected to a number of fellow students who I feel I can relate to and read their blogs more consistently, but not on the day that I intend to complete a task on my own blog so as not to feel too influenced.


Does your engagement to date seem appropriate/limited/focused/planned/unplanned to your networking and sources ?
I feel that my current network tools are very similar to my fellow students, we all seem to use the same main sources of information that being the use of the Internet and primarily Google as a search engine; an iphone; social media sites to mention a few. I feel quite content that my level of interaction with these examples of sources is appropriate and its interaction lends itself well to my professional requirements and my current personal use. I do however feel extremely envious when I find that my peers consider Campus sessions a valuable tool  and amongst their top 5. I would very much like to have the ability to partake in these sessions if the location and work commitments allowed me to. I know I sometimes feel a little isolated from the programme and have discussed this within Task 3c as well as commenting on Geri's blog on this Task.
I feel I need to make more planned attention to my blog and attempt to do this outside of a Task so that my feelings and thoughts are amongst my posts as these may benefit my learning and thinking for the future. However time and effort on my behalf up against work level commitment will determine whether or not I can meet this challenge.


Does sharing ideas and communicating with others shift your thinking, planning or practice ?
I feel as a person I am quite determined to do my best in relation to whatever scenario I am up against, and therefore have quite strong opinions on my way forward. However that said I do believe that having the influences of others and their opinions whether it be a member of staff; student or parent I have a duty to take into account their feelings as on occasion they can have added value. From reading through blogs of fellow students it is apparent that we do share similar thoughts and opinions and so far I have not encountered I can say I disagree with. maybe its because we work in similar fields and responsibilities to this area such as working with children and young adults and being self aware their needs and considerations ?


Does critical reflection help you decide what really matters and the actions to take ?

Critical reflection occurs when we analyse and challenge the validity of our presuppositions and assess the appropriateness of our knowledge, understanding and beliefs given our present contexts (Mezirow, 1990). (www.coles.uoguelph.ca/pdf/Critical%20Reflection.pdf)

Up until beginning this journey of learning I didn't appreciate the concept of critical reflection and how we can learn from it. Whilst I know I am a diligent person who strives to be the best I can be, I feel I can now appreciate an deeper understanding of reflection and choose a pathway forward that can be a learning experience from the action taken through critical reflection. I feel I now challenge myself when writing for the programme and maybe at times I am too self critical, probably because as a mature student I see the importance of returning to study and therefore want it to be right and provide no room for error.


Are you left thinking differently prior to this part of the module ?
Do I understand the point I have reached within the current programme ? I hope so.
When in the right frame of mind and when I have the ability to think without great effort which I have to say isn't everyday and I hope this is the case for others and not just me, I think I have travelled a way froward to have gained greater understanding and knowledge for the tasks that will lie ahead as they will obviously get more difficult and require a broader mindset. I do find what I consider 'academic terminology' difficult at times to take on board especially as I work within a field of practicality and creative based thinking .


To what extent do concepts and theories assist you in thinking about your professional networking in different ways ?
To be perfectly honest until carrying out Task 3b I was completely unaware that I have a connection with these theories. More that I just do them as part of my daily work life but without knowing their term. Cooperation has always been a part of my school and its attributes as well as a consideration I uphold for my customers and ultimately the students. I discussed in Task 3b how it surprised me in its reference and relation to game theory.
Affiliation was again recognised to me as an asset I uphold but the relation to a theory brought it forward in my understanding. I felt I gained a great deal from exploring this theory and relating it to my personal life scenarios as discussed in the task.
With all other theories I found a connection that I could relate to in my professional network.


How do ethical issues relate to your own digital literacy ?
This is an area I have explored and re-addressed within the tasks that I have been set as I am always very self aware of where the line stops and be sure not to cross it. I work with children and young adults and their safety and welfare has to be my priority whether it be in the classroom or in digital material. I explore the area of ethical consideration in Task 2d and discuss my thoughts and concerns surrounding this topic.
All of my students parents are requested to sign their approval so that any material or information that includes their child has approval from them before I do so.