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A Digital Map

Image Source: Google Images


]This week, I had a chance to reflect on my use of different applications and internet sites. I created a chart to display what I use professionally, personally, frequently, or seldom. Applications I use for work would be towards the top of the chart, where as applications used at home/for personal use would be towards the bottom of the chart. There are several in which I do not use often or interact with, so this means I am a visitor and those applications are towards the left of the chart. On the other hand, there are others that I visit frequently and interact with, meaning post on and data would be collected by doing so. These applications are going to be closer to the right. 

Digital Analysis

Looking at the applications that I am considered a resident with, the closer they are to the left would indicate that I use them daily, post, and leave a trail of data for others to see. There are several that I use for personal usage rather than in a professional setting. Apple Music is one that is more towards the right because I download music daily and listen on my way to work. Facebook and Instagram are as well because I use the messaging feature daily to talk to my cousin who lives in England. 

There are several that I use professionally that I consider myself a resident. Amplify Science, Outlook, PowerSchool, OneNote, and ClassDojo are all used daily in the classroom. Amplify needs to be accessed in order to grade student work and check progress. PowerSchool is the location in which we take attendance each day, create seating charts, and put in student grades. OneNote is a place where we share daily content with parents and students, and ClassDojo is an application I use for one of my classes that needs independent, positive feedback throughout the period. 

The "In Betweeners"

Netflix is an application I placed on the line between personal and professional. Sometimes I will use it to show clips related to content in class, but I use it regularly every day when I come home from work to relax by watching a program, search for new programs/movies to watch, and add them my favorites. Gmail is another site that is used mainly for personal use, but at times, professionally as well. It is a personal email that I receive/respond to emails about the technology endorsement program, as well as other educational opportunities. Lastly, another application that I am in between professional use and personal use in which I am more a visitor, would be the Calm App. I use this every Monday during a class I teach called Connections. It is an application that focuses on self awareness with the use of meditation. It helps students relax and clear their minds because as we all know, middle school can be pretty stressful! I also at times use this application for my own meditation at home. There are many options and types of meditation to try. I consider myself a visitor because I do not provide much data because I only use it once a week, and I do not leave comments or other forms of communication on the application.

There are a few other applications/websites I have placed in in between categories.  Blogger, YouTube, and Amazon are all placed as in between being considered a resident and a visitor, or in between personal and professional use.

 Overall, I learned that I use a lot of technology for personal and professional use as a resident. There are also many that fit in more than one category. After reflecting on my own use, I think I use specific sites too much and almost rely on them during down time. I think the use of technology can be extremely helpful, but I also believe it can be damaging, and consuming of our lives if used too often, or improperly.  
"Technology can be our best friend, and technology can also be the biggest party pooper of our lives. It interrupts our own story, interrupts our ability to have a thought or a daydream, to imagine something wonderful, because we're too busy bridging the walk from the cafeteria back to the office on the cell phone." 
 -Steven Spielberg 
Gif Source: Giphy 

 Quote from https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/technology-quotes
Additional information on digital maps:
http://daveowhite.com/vandr/https://churchm.ag/digital-visitor-vs-digital-resident/

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Comments

  1. BetteNovember 9, 2019 at 3:57 PM

    Thank you for the explanation about what the different apps you use on a regular basis are for. Some of them I have heard of but do not know their exact use. I have read about the different meditation apps available and would like to use one if I ever get a smart phone. I think it’s great that you use a meditation app with your Connections class, I agree that it is a good way to start Monday with.

    ReplyDelete
  2. NMZumpanoNovember 12, 2019 at 1:27 PM

    Great quote to wrap up your post. For the most part your map looks balanced but I appreciated your thoughts on how you recognize you rely on some apps to often. Recognizing this is half the battle.

    ReplyDelete

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