Bravo! I loved your post and clearly this was not your first attempt! I whole-heartedly agree that we need to be more creative with our learning and expression. Many of the examples you provided were so very excellent of a “different” way to connect to our learning. In my opinion, the connection between the various types of learning has not caught up with the connectivity. Meaning that for so long, each approach and pedagogy were operating within their own silos and not sharing or knowing what the other has been doing. Now, as more educators are being trained and exposed to the many wonderful ways and approaches to engaging our scholars those gaps are hopefully going to close, then overlap. I truly believe that if we open our minds, as well as our hearts, we can be willing to explore new, different, and out-of-the-ordinary methods to teaching and learning.

Such truth I agree with in the fact our thinking and reflection is what matters most over ease of access to information. It is also true that more blogs can mean more opinions (whether valued or not) available. But this makes me wonder: if people find their opinions valuable enough to place on a public platform, which can be retrieved at any future point and time, wouldn’t they be mindful of what is being documented? Even opinions we disagree with can provide thought provoking reflections when we seek to understand things from a different point of view. It may strengthen what we currently hold on as belief, or may possibly change our positions.

I so understand your point of view! Whenever I feel like I’m on top of things, I learn about some other technology, website, app, etc., and then I’m back to being behind the times again. Without realizing it, I have become much more of a connected learner than I gave myself credit for, as I look up definitions to words as I read, follow tangential thoughts when the idea strikes me, research what is being talked about on television while I’m watching, and so forth. Also, the experiences you shared in your post will certainly be helpful as you embark on connecting into the world in this way, on this leg of your journey.

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I think it is interesting and possibly even refreshing to hear your arguments after reading so many entirely pro-blogging articles last week. I agree that blogs may work better for some people than others, and that they do not serve to perfectly get information out to everyone. I do think that they offer a nice complement to traditional journal articles and, as you mention, a possible way for communications-challenged academics to practice their writing. I have often thought that the best way to get the message of research out to the world is to have it written about in the popular media (provided they could do a decent job), but those opportunities are probably few and far between. Blogging won’t reach nearly that many people, but it might reach more than a journal article would. But I agree that the thought of adding another obligation to our careers that involves sitting in front of a computer writing about our research is a bit depressing. Ideally, for me, blogging would replace some other writing obligations, but I don’t see academic departments encouraging professors to publish less and blog more any time soon.

I, too, appreciate your honesty with this post. You have eloquently put into words many of my own feelings as I begin this course! Even though my educational/professional background has never required privacy as yours has, I am still a rather reserved person and opening myself up to the public through blogging is causing some anxiety for me, as well! I know that it will cause me to put more time and effort into polishing my posts than I would for, say, a private class forum . I also share your excitement and hope that we will learn a lot from “the process.”

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Regarding the “is this going to be on the test” mentality, Math with Bad Drawings has another excellent post: The Church of the Right Answer.
Absolutely brilliant.

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My curiosity was definitely piqued by this post! I am delighted to discover Math With Bad Drawings and will become a regular visitor there for sure! “Learning driven by curiosity can be addictive.” Couldn’t agree more! And our networked world puts so much at my disposal. I’m much more limited by time (hours in the day) than I am by opportunity at this point. For example, this weekend I saw this notice for a free MOOC on Tensor Flow, Google’s Deep Learning platform, and thought — YES, I’m going to do that! (http://www.fastcompany.com/3055814/fast-feed/google-is-offering-a-free-online-class-about-deep-learning).
Actually, I’m not. Just not enough hours in the day. But knowing that this is out there, and that I could give it a try is really enticing and encouraging.

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Yes, yes and yes! Your past experiences have more than prepared you for this modality. In addition to what you note as the defining characteristics of connected learning, I think of it as using the web to learn with and from each other. Thanks for taking the plunge!

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