I was challenged to consider my personal learning network. Initially, I struggled to move beyond the interpersonal, face to face networks that I value within my professional and personal learning experiences. The chats over the coffee machine, the debates in the corridor, the shared meals and pots of tea. Beyond the books and the research methodologies, I have discovered the richness of learning communities. I now consider myself fortunate to have been 'forced' into acknowledging the diversity and richness of communities through my PhD field work. Images of that time have stayed with me, often dreamlike due to the cultural and environmental chasm that lies between that life and this, but none the less real.
While working in PNG, I had to acknowledge the role of technologies (including writing, paper, electricity, plumbing!) in our connection and our learning. I was often struck by how the technologies we take for granted have decreased our connectivity, and increasingly isolated us into households. We no longer gossip about the lives of those around us while we bathe and wash our dishes in the river. We no longer share stories of long ago as we shelter from the sun as we work our gardens to grow our food. It was easy to become disillusioned by technology.
Having recently moved away from 'home', I am now experiencing the connection that technology offers us. I can have a coffee in a cafe with a friend who is thousands of kilometres away, both of us with our computers open and facebook chat running. I can ponder life and discuss experiences with old friends using my blog. I can skype or facetime with nieces and nephews who aren't old enough to maintain a conversation on the phone. Reflecting on the connectivity that technology has recently allowed me, I delved into my personal 'digital learning network'.
While working in PNG, I had to acknowledge the role of technologies (including writing, paper, electricity, plumbing!) in our connection and our learning. I was often struck by how the technologies we take for granted have decreased our connectivity, and increasingly isolated us into households. We no longer gossip about the lives of those around us while we bathe and wash our dishes in the river. We no longer share stories of long ago as we shelter from the sun as we work our gardens to grow our food. It was easy to become disillusioned by technology.
Having recently moved away from 'home', I am now experiencing the connection that technology offers us. I can have a coffee in a cafe with a friend who is thousands of kilometres away, both of us with our computers open and facebook chat running. I can ponder life and discuss experiences with old friends using my blog. I can skype or facetime with nieces and nephews who aren't old enough to maintain a conversation on the phone. Reflecting on the connectivity that technology has recently allowed me, I delved into my personal 'digital learning network'.