While completing the collaborative Digital Citizenship Learning Module [DCLM] I engaged in new learning about: process, content, and tools. Thus I have published my reflections about the DCLM in 4 parts: 

Part 1: Learning About Process- “Good Enough” Research

Part 2: Learning About Content

Part 3: Learning About Tools

Part 4: Learning About Process- Online Global Collaboration

The biggest hurdle I faced when beginning this course in July was the online research process. I felt completely unprepared when I faced the challenge of finding some of my own resources for my first assessment, a literature review. When I finished the assessment I reflected on how challenged I was by the research process and, as a result, with managing my time (Robertson-Jones, 2018). Because of this struggle I was committed to learn more about online research. I signed up for CSU library workshops and practiced my search skills in lower-stakes situations.

This assignment was the first time I felt some level of competence when seeking resources. I approached the search with a positive attitude and followed a more disciplined search process based on Gregory’s “Keyword Inquiry Log” (2018), recording the terms and parameters I used to see which yielded the most useful results. Instead of the time-consuming and possibly distracting process of reading each resource, I pinned the promising leads from searches in Primo. Finally I scanned the abstracts or introductions and unpinned those resources that I felt were not applicable or as valuable. I was left with a manageable list of five new resources, and most of these led me to other articles and books pertinent to my topic. Although I was still left with too many good leads to be able to follow them all, the time I spent following these links was fulfilling because all were developing my background knowledge. As searching for information was a such a burden for me when I began this course, I feel quite accomplished at having found a process that works for me and is not overly time-consuming or frustrating.

To improve my research process in the future I would start by scanning my own curated list. When browsing my Diigo library I found additional resources that would have been useful for this assignment. However perhaps the most important skill to develop as I become a more experienced researcher is to find the balance of “good enough.” 

too few resources	enough resources	too many resources
uninformed	informed	overwhelmed

References

Gregory, J. (2018, February). The keyword inquiry log: Documenting progress of information searches. Teacher Librarian, 45(3), 29–33. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.csu.edu.au/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lih&AN=128027177&site=ehost-live

Robertson-Jones, M. (2018, August 21). Reflection on ETL401 Assessment #2: Literature Review. Retrieved from https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/marla/2018/08/21/reflection-on-etl401-assessment-2-literature-review/