‘Talking Education with Madz’ is where I will write and post podcast’s relating to educational matters, and share my own experiences as I embark on my teaching career. It will be the place where I hope to inspire other teachers, and change readers/listeners minds on educational issues.

My first podcast is about the benefits and limitations of digital media being used in education. Throughout my podcast I have focused mainly on the benefits, and showed how they can easily outweigh the limitations. I want my listeners to be persuaded into agreeing that digital media is a powerful learning resource. And, another important message I wanted to get through, is that the use of digital media won’t be going away, it will just keep growing. I want my listeners to understand how society is changing, and digital media will bring positive aspects to education. I supported my arguments using research from educational experts, and my very own experiences. This persuades my listeners, as having information from experts in the field demonstrates how effective digital media is for learning, and that it will improve the skills and learning abilities of students, especially since they have been growing up in a digital world. The great thing about this research, is that it shows how the benefits easily outweigh the limitations. Bringing in my views as I study to become teacher, I believe shows my listeners that we are learning as teachers  how to use digital media effectively in classrooms, and the importance of it being a significant resource for student’s learning. 

I wanted to use some upbeat and catchy instrumental music to keep my listeners engaged when listening to my podcast. I decided to use the instrumental music from Sia’s song ‘Clap your hands’(CC BY-SA 3.0). I find this song promotes positive vibes, and will encourage my listeners to clap their hands and support the use of digital media promoting students learning. 

This was the first podcast I have made, and it wasn’t a massive struggle, however trying to get my head around the recording part, how to get the music to play in the background, editing, and using the app Sound Cloud, was a bit of a challenge for me. I worked my way through it by googling how to, and following steps in the app. I did enjoy having the opportunity to learn how to make a podcast, and the different apps that are available to edit, and upload podcasts. This whole task has definitely helped improve my knowledge of digital media being used in education, and allowed me to adapt different learning approaches, and identify different ways digital media can be used when teaching lessons. For instance, presenting youtube videos about a topic, getting students to create games and presentations using online resources, posting blogs and newsletters for students and parents, completing learning games such as Mathletics and lots more. I have enjoyed completing this task, and look forward to using the skills I have learn’t in my future learning. 

References

Chien, J 2012, How digital media and the internet is transforming education, University of Denver, Research Gate, retrieved 15 May 2019, www.researchgate.net/publication/23…ming_education

Marks, L 2016, Teachers, parents urged to embrace technology for children’s benefit, ABC News, retrieved 14 May 2019, www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-06/p…echnology/7911044

Murray, T & Buchanan, R 2018, ‘The Internet is all around us’: How children come to understand the Internet, Digital Culture and Education, retrieved 13 May 2019, www.digitalcultureandeducation.com/uncateg…n-html/

Noyce, J 2016, Should preschoolers be using digital devices?, ABC News, retrieved 14 May 2019, www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-27/s…72268?pfmredir=sm

We Are Born Sia by Monkey Puzzle 2010, open.spotify.com/album/6pgVpIRnYoQgCl5ovEMimz(CC BY-SA 3.0)

Whiteside, R 2011, How technology can help improve education, TechLearningMagazine, retrieved 15 May 2019, www.techlearning.com/tl-advisor-blog/261

Social media in my eyes is currently ruling the world, due to people staying connected through apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and emails. We are constantly being updated through social media accounts on what is happening in the world, and people’s everyday lives. I personally use Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat as my main accounts, however even though I have these, I wouldn’t say I’m ‘out there’ when it comes to being online. I recently posted a small tweet regarding my online presence.  I shared my personal thoughts as to why I am online, and what I mainly use it for. I am someone who likes to keep my online identity private, and only share with people I know. I enjoy having the opportunity of staying connected through online communities, whether it’s with classmates, friends, sport clubs or work related.

I am always careful when it comes to what I post online, the information I share about myself, and who I engage with. All my accounts are private, however, I am not saying I am private to the point of not sharing or using my full name, I am just cautious to what I post, as what you post stays on the internet server forever!! I’m not afraid of people viewing me online, I just personally keep a low profile, and don’t need everyone knowing what I’m up to. Although it can be said, I was influenced to having a private persona, due to hearing about internet scare stories. For instance, your virtual property is never secure, personal details are extremely easy to locate, you are constantly under surveillance, your personal safety is at risk, and you should never trust who talk to online (Merchant 2006). The scare stories being built up by the media, makes the internet to be seen as a place inhabited  with weird and scary people, where disturbing and unwanted things can happen. These thoughts illustrate the importance of how myself, and I’m sure many attach our identity of being cautious to the online world (Merchant 2006). And, is also a reason why I don’t like posting publicly. However, due to my social media class, I joined twitter, and have engaged in a new online app. I have slowly started posting publicly, and have started off making posts about my interests, such as posting my own image I took in New York City and retweeting about my AFL football team.This class has made me connect more openly on Twitter with my classmates and other accounts I have followed.

There are two reasons to why I am online.
1. To keep in contact with family and friends who live in another state and overseas 

2. Stay connected with that is happening 

My aim wasn’t to come online and make myself known, or try to become insta famous. I personally enjoy having the opportunity to share my experiences with my friends and followers on Facebook and Instagram. Back in 2016 and 2017, I went overseas to work at a Summer Camp and travel. I was away for 5 months during both years, and because it was a long time, I decided to post an album of my trip on facebook, for my family and friends to view.

This where I think Facebook, and apps like Instagram are great, as they allow us to share personal experiences with our followers . As seen below, are some of my own personal photos from my travel experiences that I posted on Instagram.

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Turkle (1995) encouraged the idea that cyberspace allows and promotes new ways of performing identity . The effect is that this makes us want to work harder to get a sense of who we are communicating with, and in turn, work harder to produce ourselves in communication (Merchant, 2006). I believe this is true, as I posted albums, posted pictures on instagram, and constantly had snapchat stories while away on my trips, so I could stay connected, and share my experiences with friends and family.

Being on Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat allow people to portray versions of themselves, as well as discussing our motivations, virtues and opinions (Joyce 2018). I believe these apps truly contribute to expressing online identity’s, and why people love to be involved in the online world. Another reason why I love to be involved, is the relationships I form through online communities.

One online community that I absolutely love being apart of is, Camp Takajo!

This is the camp I worked at for two years, and I was absolutely heartbroken that I couldn’t return again because of University, and Australia not having the same summer season as the USA. Being online, allowed me to stay connected with Takajo through my account with them, the online facebook page they started, and even group chats I have made with my fellow counsellors.

Below are some of my own photos I shared while working at the camp.

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Being apart of an online community benefits it’s members in many ways. It allows communities to grow, develop contacts, be inspired and motivated, have fun, and have access to many opportunities (Kelly, 2015).  Staying connected with Takajo, has opened me up to many opportunities, I’ve developed a lot of new contacts and friends, and most importantly the whole experience has inspired me to become a teacher. I am constantly updated with photos, blog posts, information on activities for kids, and great articles regarding children’s interests. I am grateful for the online community they have started, as I can continue to learn from them, and stay connected when the summer camp is up and running.

I express my online identity as my love to stay connected, share experiences, and show what motivates me in life. Being able to connect and share, also shows a true aspect of who I really am, my love for adventures, and being open to new and exciting things.

References
Joyce, G, 2018, Search and Social: Connecting Our Complex Online Identities, Brandwatch, retrieved 12 April 2019, https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/search-and-social-how-they-connect-and-complete-our-online-identities/ 

Kelly, F 2015,  Five powerful benefits of being part of a community, SmartCompany, retrieved 11 April 2019, https://www.smartcompany.com.au/people-human-resources/five-powerful-benefits-of-being-part-of-a-community/

Merchant, G 2006, ‘Identity, Social Networks and Online Communication’ Hallam University, vol 3, no. 2, pp.235-244, https://doi.org/10.2304/elea.2006.3.2.235