When I began to think about my Personal Learning Environment (PLE) I had no clue where to begin. I found that there were many categories to be represented and have included the following: technology, physical locations, productivity, blogs/newsfeed, social media and online audio and video.
Although I hate to admit it, without my physical forms of technology I would be lost, especially in graduate school. My Macbook Pro is, sadly, my lifeline. I use it for both work and play, and it’s the most expensive thing I own. Through my laptop I have access to all other aspects of my PLE including Microsoft Office, which I use for everything, and my new friend, the Adobe Creative Suite. Other than my laptop and the programming that it connects me with, my smart phone is just as important, allowing me to access loads of information in seconds and constantly keeping me connected to everything and everyone that is important to me.
There are three applications that I use daily for productivity and those are Calendars, Notes, and Evernote. Again, accessible through my laptop, these apps keep my life somewhat organized and relatively in check. I use Calendars to simply remember what is when, Notes is for the specifics such as to-do lists or little blurbs I don’t want to forget, and, finally, Evernote keeps my academics in line. I take class notes using this app and it keeps them organized in a beautiful way that I am terrible at doing otherwise.
To keep myself updated and current with whats going on in the world I try to read as much news as I can. Over the years I have been drawn mostly to NPR and BBC as my main sources for information. However, for my “fun” news I turn to Buzzfeed, as well as my local newspaper, to keep up to date on the goings on back home in Ohio (mainly I just read the ridiculous police reports; only so much crime happens in a small town). I have also become a “blogger” in which I use WordPress for my academics and Tumblr for fun.
The physical locations of my personal learning environment are really important. I’m not one to get a lot done at home unless its last minute so locations such as libraries, coffee shops, and other university locations really help me to keep things in check and get work done. I love being in these various locations but I never feel more at home than when I’m in a museum or a theatre. These are places that let me escape to other worlds and take a break from reality.
Although social media works as an excellent distraction for me, I seem to learn from them in other ways. Facebook and Instagram keep me updated on my friends and family all over the world and allows me to keep close contact with those that are important to me. Pinterest works as a wonderful resource for me in regards to DIY or cooking experiments.
Finally, online audio and video, also huge distractions at times, allow me to watch documentaries, listen to podcasts (so many great podcasts about Medieval History…squee!), and are generally just good resources for so many things!
Before I go, just a quick explanation of my 9os theme…I was watching Clarissa Explains It All last week and it has been stuck in my head. What an inspiration she was. Curse you Amazon Prime Video! Na na na na na….