My Flight Path: Learning, Connecting, and Navigating the Digital World
Current Coordinates
As I begin EDCI 338, I see myself starting with a background that is strongly connected to technology, health information science, research, and digital learning. As a Health Information Science student, much of my learning has involved using digital tools, electronic health records, online resources, and collaborative technologies. I have also gained experience working with different electronic medical record systems and digital health technologies through my professional and research experiences. These experiences have taught me how technology can support learning, communication, and problem-solving.
My understanding of personalized learning is that learning does not have to follow one fixed path for everyone. People have different experiences, interests, strengths, and ways of learning, and digital technologies can allow individuals to take greater control over their learning. Similarly, I see social media for learning as more than simply posting or consuming content. It can help people connect with experts, communities, organizations, and resources that expand their knowledge. My experience with research and professional networking has already introduced me to some aspects of this through platforms such as LinkedIn and other online academic and professional communities.
I bring skills in research, information organization, communication, presentation, and technology. I am also interested in artificial intelligence and how it can be used responsibly in education and healthcare. One area I want to develop further is the ability to intentionally design my online learning environment rather than simply using digital platforms when they are convenient.
Mapping the Route
My main goal for this course is to develop a stronger understanding of how social media, personalized learning, and networked learning can work together. I want to build a more intentional personal learning network that supports both my academic development and my future career in health informatics and health technology.
I am particularly interested in exploring how professionals use social media to share knowledge, collaborate, build professional identities, and discover opportunities. This connects directly with the course objective of using social media to develop a personal learning network. I also want to better understand personalized learning through learning theory rather than viewing it only as a technology-based concept.
Another important goal is to become more aware of the less visible aspects of the Internet. Privacy, data ownership, copyright, Creative Commons licensing, and unequal access to digital spaces are especially relevant to me because of my interest in health information and data governance. Developing stronger digital, networked, and open literacies will help me make more responsible decisions about what I create, share, and consume online. I also want to explore GenAI as a creative learning tool while remaining thoughtful about accuracy, ethics, and appropriate use.
Anticipating Turbulence
The most challenging part of this course may be moving beyond simply using technology to critically examining how technology shapes learning. Concepts such as algorithms, digital inequality, privacy, data ownership, and licensing may require me to think about familiar platforms in unfamiliar ways.
To navigate these challenges, I plan to approach the course with curiosity rather than assuming I already understand digital learning because I am comfortable with technology. I will use course readings, discussions, classmates, and my own personal learning network as resources. I also plan to experiment with different platforms and reflect on what actually contributes to meaningful learning. My goal is not simply to become better at using social media, but to become more intentional, critical, ethical, and independent in how I learn and participate in digital spaces.