Me and My Learning Goals

I am a millennial who is certainly not a digital native. Well I suppose actually that’s a bit relative – My mother thinks I’m Google when it comes to all things technology. In truth I can pick up a new phone and not need the manual to figure out its latest features, learning how to use new computer systems seems to be hardwired into my brain, and I’ve spent a significant amount of my life “logged-in”. I’m also aware that there is an immense amount of information and skills that I don’t know and that I don’t possess.

I tried to take a course called “history in the digital world” once – where we were required to create a website. It did not go well. I got an A for effort but unfortunately, the website didn’t actually make it off the ground. The course coordinator tried CPR but unfortunately he was too late. Hopefully this blogging experience will help me work through the fear created by that ill-fated assignment.

Like others I also have an abandoned twitter account and an inactive LinkedIn profile which to be honest is probably doing more harm then good as a statement of my professional image.

I haven’t tried blogging before but that’s only because I’m waiting for inspiration to hit. I can be a gym junkie at times, I read books, I like to bake and just generally live life but I refuse to document it and added it to the masses of information that already exist on all of those subjects.

My goal with this degree is to have the confidence to move into a career in the library and information services profession. I have always had a love of stories, which has developed into a fascination with learning and knowledge. I want a job to that involves helping others research, is at the forefront of new educational platforms and includes the care, management, and exhibition of resources. Learning how to exist and create in the digital environment is crucial to this and as such from this course I hope to learn -

How to use emerging and expanding technologies in an effective way

a.     To be able to create dynamic resources

b.     To be able to disseminate and retrieve information in an effective way

c.      To gain a better understanding as to why this is important

Some initial thoughts that have intrigued me already are RSS feeds and how I can use them effectively and Twitter – how important is it really?

I look forward to sharing my thoughts, experiences, and frustrations with you all.