Social Media Etiquette

Storytelling Tools

 DOUBLE CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE!

The first 3 were made on StoryboardThat. The next one was made on Canva and the last one was made on Pixton.

Smackdown #3: Good vs Bad Websites

The websites that I chose to compare and contrast are two pizzerias, Dino's Tomato Pie and Nonna's Good Life. Dino's Tomato Pie’s site feels outdated and disorganized. It lacks in both design and navigation. The layout is clunky and overstimulating, as it is overwhelmed with colors, gifs, and moving graphics. It is difficult for users to access important information, which can leave a negative impression of the restaurant. On the other hand, Nonna's Good Life offers a sleek, modern, and user-friendly website. It engages visitors with clear navigation, smooth transitions, and easy organization. It creates a seamless experience for the visitor.

Blog #4: Building a Collaborative Culture

Chapter 4 of The Connected Educator focuses on building a collaborative culture. It highlights the importance of creating environments where shared learning and collective growth are encouraged. The chapter also emphasizes the value of relationships, trust, and openness when fostering collaboration within a community or professional network. In these networks, learning is seen as a shared journey, where individuals can contribute their expertise and insights, helping each other grow.

As an aspiring graphic designer, especially in the realm of social media, the principles from this chapter apply directly to my future career. Collaboration is at the heart of the creative industry, whether it's working with clients, marketing teams, or other designers. The ability to foster open communication, share creative ideas, and build trusting relationships is the key to being successful. This chapter reinforced the idea that I should not only focus on developing my design skills but also invest in building strong, trusting relationships within my professional network.

What role does collaboration play in your personal or professional growth? How do you balance working independently as well as working as part of a team?

Blog #3: Using Tools to Support Connected Learning

Chapter 5 of The Connected Educator is all about the digital tools that help educators build and maintain personal learning networks (PLNs). Technology plays a key role in allowing educators to connect, share, and collaborate globally. The chapter categorizes tools into three types: synchronous tools, asynchronous tools, and content curation tools. Examples of synchronous tools would be Zoom or Google Meet for real-time communication. An asynchronous tool would be like blogs or social media. This is any sort of site that allows for ongoing discussions and conversations to take place. Examples of content curation tools are Good Notes, Notion, or even Pinterest. These are sites used to organize and manage information. Educators are encouraged to build a personalized digital toolkit to match their learning goals. This would help them stay engaged and up to date. Overall, Chapter 5 emphasizes the strategic use of digital tools for connected learning.

This chapter is highly relevant to my aspiring career, which is social media graphic designing. The chapter is all about emphasizing the use of digital tools to build networks, share work, and manage information. Social media graphic designers often rely on tools like Instagram or Facebook to showcase work and engage with audiences. Content curation tools like Pinterest help gather inspiration and track design trends. Like educators building a toolkit, designers can create their own set of tools for content management. There is so much overlap between this chapter and my aspiring career. I am curious to know which of the three types of web tools (synchronous, asynchronous, or content curation) do you find most valuable to your career?

Smackdown #2: Using Figma

 

Figma is a great multipurpose tool. It is great for designing and creating, specifically websites or apps. Though, it is not limited to these. It is similar to a digital whiteboard. It is a great platform for brainstorming and getting your thoughts out. It has easy to use sticky notes, stickers, textboxes, and more. It is also super collaborative. Anyone on the shared file is able to edit and add to the project at the same time, similar to Google apps. There is a paid version as well as a free version, though I have never met anybody who ever needed the paid version to get their work done. I have used this app alot for my minor, Digital Studies. It is a great website for rough drafts. I will say that the FigJam feature (digital whiteboard) is super user friendly, but the Design File feature (app development) is a little trickier to figure out by yourself. Like all new things, it just takes some time to get used to, but I still think Figma is a really great tool. 

Chapter 6: Building Your Connected Learning Community

Chapter 6 of The Connected Educator focuses on the process of creating a personal learning network (PLN) to increase professional growth and collaboration. The chapter provides guidance on how to effectively establish connections that promote learning, communication, and professional development. The textbook states, “Personal learning networks help you leverage deeper connections and relationships, and from those networked relationships, you grow a community of connected learners and leaders” (Nussbaum-Beach / Ritter Hall pg. 92). I really liked this quote because it shows that PLNs are super collaborative.  As educators create relationships in a PLN, they are not just listeners or learners, but active contributors. Everyone in a PLN helps to build and sustain a learning community. This community is always changing, as our society is always changing. 

This chapter also relates to my future career of graphic design in many ways. For example, the chapter emphasizes the importance of building a personal learning network. Just as educators connect with peers and experts to grow professionally, designers can benefit from networking with other creatives, mentors, and industry professionals as well. These networked relationships can provide valuable feedback, inspiration, and even job opportunities. By joining online or local design communities, graphic designers can collaborate on projects, share resources, and support one another's growth, the same way an educator would. 

In conclusion, Chapter 6 of The Connected Educator emphasizes the value of building a personal learning network (PLN), which is equally important for aspiring graphic designers. By connecting with other designers, mentors, and industry professionals, graphic designers can enhance their skills, collaborate, and access career opportunities. Engaging in the community and using online platforms helps to stay current, share expertise, and grow professionally. Just like educators, graphic designers can benefit from a strong, connected network to support their learning and career success. How would the chapter relate to your aspiring profession?