My Learning Map consists of the two courses I am currently enrolled in, EDCI 339 and EDCI 338. Aside from the general similarities of the two, that they are both completely online and asynchronous, thus I work on them from the same locations, the most surprising connection between the courses was how they utilize all the same online tools, allowing me to use what I learn in the courses reciprocally. Both courses are helping me become proficient in using Brightspace, Mattermost, and WordPress. To note, I am finding that I am generally interacting with these online tools the same amount for both courses, however, interestingly I use different networks to connect with my peers between the two. For EDCI 339 I use Zoom and for EDCI 338 I use Instagram. I have become quite familiar with both as the world becomes more and more adapted to online networking, however, in my experience, Instagram is regarded as more of a personal network and Zoom as more of a professional network, although both can be used either way. The reason for the difference in which platform we use for communication is likely due to student preference and familiarity. Additionally, EDCI 338 is about personalized learning and social media, and with Instagram being a prominent form of social media in today’s society, we may have unconsciously gravitated toward it. The preference for using Zoom for EDCI 339 may also be due to the subject of the course, specifically with it being about remote learning. Many students likely associate remote learning with using Zoom seeing as how that became the main way of communication when the covid-19 pandemic required school to transition to online.

Overall, I found EDCI 338 and EDCI 339 to be very connected with both courses covering different methods of learning, personalized and distributed respectively. Personalized learning focuses more on creating your learning pathway and determining your learning methods, whereas distributed learning focuses on all forms of remote learning. In my opinion, I find the two to be similar because I believe personalized learning can be distributed and vice versa. Due to my courses being so connected, I can apply concepts from one course to the other, enriching my understanding of topics and my educational experience. Using the same resources across courses has provided me with the opportunity and practice to become skillful and adept at navigating different online networks, and thus in the future I am confident I will be able to adapt and learn to use whatever network is required of me.  In doing this exercise I realized the value of course connectedness for learning and teaching, it gives one a wider skillset and builds confidence.

I chose this activity because it was a valuable opportunity for me to reflect upon what is similar between my courses and how my learning experience can benefit from the similarities. I learned the usefulness of acquired learning skills, how to connect them, and how to utilize these connections. Being able to recognize and form connections is extremely beneficial because it enhances learning and knowledge by stimulating more diverse and creative thoughts, and deepens knowledge on a topic. Upon completion of this activity and reflection, I determined Brightspace to be the most useful online network for learning as it has many helpful tools and is engaging. I achieved my learning goal of evaluating what I look for in a platform to optimize my learning. Deeming Brightspace the most useful platform may have been influenced by my familiarity and my experience using it throughout my various university courses. Thus, this activity brought me to the realization of how helpful it is to keep practicing and developing online networking skills to gain the most confidence and benefits out of your use. In completing this activity I learned that oftentimes university courses are more connected than they may initially appear and hence what you learn and the methods you use in one class may help you decide how you want to personalize your learning for maximum effectiveness.

To further clarify my map regarding the legend in the top right corner of the map, frequency describes how often I am engaging with the tools and resources highlighted, connection 1 or 2 ways means whether or not I am the only one participating in the connection or if I am receiving a response, and finally physical/digital/both describes whether the connection is occurring in the physical world, digitally online, or whether it can occur both ways.