Review: According to ‘connect’ quiz 1, I was at the level of a bold beginner. It stated that I am beginning to build confidence in Personal Learning Environment (PLE) development and that I am starting to join some online communities but not contributing much at this stage. Lastly it states that I am beginning to explore synchronous (definition) and asynchronous (definition) learning modes. As this course continues, I should become an intrepid intermediate with the connect stage of the Digital Online Learner Skills Framework.

What: The connect quiz from module 1.4, had me as a bold beginner. The outcome is that I am beginning to develop confidence to connect online with peers, colleagues and to use the web to enhance my skills as a digital learner. The website Linkedin (my account),  enabled me to create a professional profile and gain connections with colleagues, peers and hopefully future employers or mentors. Creating my professional profile has given me more confidence now to connect online as it wasn’t as hard as I originally thought it would be. Previously before having a Linkedin account, I used social media such as Facebook (my account) to connect with my peers, employer and mentors.

So what: Connecting online is an important process as the web is constantly evolving and becoming more complex each year and this is making it more necessary for everyone to access. Currently the web is at the 2.0 stage, however it is developing rapidly to 3.0. The internet is now an everyday essential as it now enables people to communicate with people, now you can shop online and use it to get and further your education. There are great online resources which can enhance your education and learning goals. I now have significant knowledge in how beneficial PLC’s and PLN’s are as they support your learning goals through personal research and group discussions. Joining professional PLC’s will help me further my skills in the field I chose to study and now I have the tools to join these groups as I have had experience doing it through Facebook and creating my Linkedin account. I have joined physiotherapy and P.E teaching groups which helped expand my connections and enabled me to join new communities online. I have also gained with connections with physiotherapists that work for NRL clubs as I am a massive Rugby League fan and that could lead to future opportunities which would be a great experience.I am yet to have a interaction with the professionals that I have connected with, but when I confirm what I plan to study after this course I will get in touch with people on my connection list and quiz them on tips and ideas about studying the course and opportunities after the degree has been completed.

Now What: A difficulty with creating the professional profile was getting connections with professionals in the field of physiotherapy and P.E teaching. This was a significant process as it was a requirement to have three connections with professionals in the area that I wanted to study after the General Studies course. It was a stressful process as I had no connections with physiotherapists or P.E teachers and I only had Friday and Saturday to connect with them.  I plan to continue and further my connections on Linkedin as there are potential great future opportunities with the more connections I have. For example, I could get in touch with one of the physiotherapists that work for an NRL club and try and organise work experience with them. This will support me as digital online learner and a professional as I have connections with people online who are high up in physiotherapy who could put me on the right path for future study and opportunities.