Picturing My ECI831 Project

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been struggling to nail down an idea for the project in this class. There are unlimited options and possibilities. I asked myself, do I want to do something that involves my students? Do I want to do something for my own personal learning? What about learning how to play the guitar? How about learning Spanish? What about a social justice project? These questions mulled over and over in my mind. Then, I woke up this morning (at 6:31 on a Saturday right when my alarm normally goes off) and could not fall back asleep as my mind began to race again. This time, an idea came to my mind that I am really excited about! I have always loved the art of photography but have never learned the techniques to go beyond the regular "point and shoot". AND what a great excuse to buy a new camera! So I am going to jump in and learn all about photography.

Now it seems that there will be two main parts to this task. One, is the technical part. I will need to learn how to operate all of the features and functions of my new camera. Two, is the artistic part. What makes a photo beautiful? What "rules" do I need to follow? I am going to see if I can find a MOOC that will teach me some of the things I wish to learn. Also, I am sure that there are message boards about photography which I could join to learn more and to gain support from other budding and/or experienced photographers.

Here's where I need some help please! I was originally going to buy the Canon T3i Rebel. It is one of the more "affordable" SLR cameras (some can be around $3000!!!). I have always enjoyed Canon cameras and have felt them to be very user-friendly and of good quality. Best Buy has them on sale this weekend for $529. While I was at Best Buy, I noticed a different camera that caught my eye. It is the Samsung NX1000. This is a more affordable option at $399. But would it offer the same features that I will most likely need when exploring photography? I have created a chart of pros vs. cons of both cameras below. What do you think? Has anyone owned one of these cameras? The sale is over tomorrow (Sunday) so please share your suggestions with me!

	Pros	Cons
Canon	- trusted brand - offers supreme quality photos (my brother owns one)	- more costly - heavy and bulky - less megapixels at 18
Samsung	- more affordable - lighter and sleek - more megapixels at 20.3 - WiFi connection for ease of downloading	- less trusted brand - doesn’t seem to offer as many features

Creating a Digital Identity

Never post anything online you don't want the world to read. Don't use your real name. Your identity can be stolen. Don't post your address. Don't post when you will be out of town. Never post where you work. Don't use your credit card online.

These are just a sampling of the phrases regarding online safety that have circulated. Before the Internet, the publication of personal information was limited to the phone book and perhaps the newspaper. When the Internet began, people did not seem to have a sense of how public their information could become. Those who learned the hard way helped to spread the word about staying safe online. Then, it seemed that there was an influx of messages like the ones I posted above. People became incredibly cautious about what information they shared online.

Today, it seems that there has been a shift in the opposite direction. Social media has now infiltrated the Net. People are using social media for many different purposes, including socializing, dating, professional networking, learning new skills, and collaboration. It seems that people are more willing to open up and share their personal information, thoughts, and ideas online. Also, the lines between professional and personal use of social media have become more blurred. Furthermore, sites such as Facebook and About Me request phone numbers and addresses from their users.

I would like to hear what others think about the shift towards sharing personal information online. What do you think has led to the blurring of the lines between personal and professional use of social media? Do you feel that the Internet is now "safer" than it has been in the past? Are people more willing to post their personal data online? Why do you think this is? 

Intro

Well here I am... my final Master's class! This program has led me through an amazing journey. In some ways, it feels like I just began my first class yesterday. However, I have come a long way in terms of understanding the place of education in the big picture. I am thrilled to be completing the program with this class, as I really feel that it will give me a way to continue to learn, even after it ends. 

I am fascinated with technology and the limitless possibilities it offers to education. I can still remember the day when my Dad told me we were going to get the Internet. I was 11 years old and had never heard of it! He explained that we would be able to connect with people throughout the world. At that point in time, I could have never imagined what the Internet has become today. 

I am a Grade 6 classroom teacher with Regina Public Schools. I have really tried to integrate technology with the curriculum, but I feel that I don't utilize it enough. Technology use does not seem to come naturally to me. I'm someone who needs to see how others use it first, or needs to be shown what to do, before I can be comfortable with it. This reluctance is definitely holding me back, both on a personal and professional level. I am hopeful that this class can give me more confidence with integrating technology into my classroom.

I have mixed feelings when it comes to using social media with kids. I feel that it can be a very powerful tool to interact with others from around the world. This would open up many possibilities for learning with students across borders. However, I have heard so many horror stories about students' misuse of technology that I am a bit reluctant to dive in.  

All in all, I am definitely open to the many possibilities that technology has to offer and am thrilled to be a part of this class.