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My PLE was designed through Adobe Illustrator. It was an interesting process developing my Personal Learning Environment, because it really opened my eyes as to all the different technology and ways that I learn. I broke my PLE into three core portions: how I learn at home, how I learn at the University of Oregon, and how I learn everywhere else (third place?) From these core portions I branched out into sources or situations of learning, and these were broken down further into ways I learn through, or using, these sources.
The most obvious place of learning is within the University of Oregon. This is where I am working on my art management program, and where my academic focus is. Through the university I have sources for learning such as the UO Libraries, and within this it is further broken down to knowledge gained through books and/or journals (JSTOR). Another main source within the university is the Arts and Administration Department through which my program is based. Underneath the logo of AAD I simply put a silhouette of a group of people, because a major way I learn through this program is by communicating with people (cohort, professors, mentors, etc). Finally, my computer is an important tool as this is pretty much my main source for research and access to my classes/studies off of campus. I have access to both Adobe and Microsoft Suites which is where I design, write or create budgets for classes. Canvas is important as this is where I can find my grades and any necessary materials from professors. Finally, google. Google is my search engine of choice and is used too many times to count.
The most detailed branch was to my home learning environment. My main sources were technology (phone, computer, television) but I did make a point of putting printed books and magazines in their own category. I am a stickler for printed reading material for multiple reasons. One, I don’t want this to become a thing of the past; two, I prefer reading, for pleasure and study, out of printed material. My main interest in magazines is simple: Food Network. My favorite way to learn new recipes, and I often clip them out to save. Many things that I use on my computer I also will use on my phone. I prefer my computer for most things non-phone related (i.e. texting, email, FaceTime, calls). Through my computer I often multitask between use of Facebook, email, and google. I also spend a good amount of time on Pinterest as I love making crafts and DIY. I don’t watch a ton of television shows, but I do enjoy watching HGTV and Food Network to find projects or meals to create in my free time. Other than that, the television is really just a source for the AppleTV which I indulge in some Netflix and movies.
Lastly, my third branch I simply labeled “?” I guess this can be considered “third-space”, but I really just considered this branch to include anyplace else I may be learning. There are three sources: travel/outdoor, the arts, and people. The travel/outdoor source branches out into road trips, vacations through air or cruise, and outdoor recreation. I feel like anytime I go on any type of trip, big or small, I learn something new! It could be as simple as building a fire correctly, to a whole new culture. This is an important part of my learning environment because these are things that I’m not exposed to on a daily basis, but find very important in my life.
The Arts have so many different elements within them. For one thing, I’m working towards a degree and career in arts management. My background is in saxophone performance and was, and always will be, an outlet and source for continuous learning. Pinterest is listed again because when I have free time I try to learn how to make and do things at home: painting, crafts, sewing, etc. As a musician I love being exposed to music of all kind. I love this graphic because it displays many aspects of music from classical to jazz to popular. I love going to the symphony, but I also love visiting a jazz club for music and drinks, or attending a show at the McDonald Theatre. Also what I want to be included in this is all performing and visual arts, even though it doesn’t specifically display this. I also love visiting museums, attending opera or ballet, etc. The less I know about an art form, the more I can learn.
People – family, friends, strangers. I love meeting up with friends or family, and I love listening to people I don’t know much about. The phone is important because this is my number one source of communication for friends and family. Texting or phone calls – it is a daily occurrence. When I am able to meet up with my favorite people, I love to just sit and catch up. Coffee and brunch is always great for a quick catch up. My family will usually choose to go out for dinner and drinks to spend more time together. Designating time either in a home, on the phone, or out for drinks is essential in my learning environment because I will always learn new things happening in their lives.
Some interesting things I realized is how connected the separate branches can be. While I use my computer for technology specific to the university, I often will be using this technology while at home – kind of merging the two sources of learning. My love for reading printed books also merges into the university as I prefer studying from print versus digital. A little portion of each branch blends with the others, so while they are separate they are also completely connected. I can’t have one source of learning without the others.