As only one PodGroup member posted Blog 1, I had to choose two other classmates to respond.
Peer Response 1 (PodGroup) – Bruce Mao
It’s inspiring that you moved to Canada at 17 and have made Vancouver and Victoria such important parts of your life. Thanks for the recommendation for AE 319—I’ll keep that in mind if I get the chance to explore photography courses at UVic. About this week’s materials, I agree that distributed and open education has transformed how we access knowledge, making it more flexible and inclusive. Like you, I see the value in these advancements but recognize the challenges they bring, like staying disciplined and organized in distributed learning environments. For instance, during a busy term, I was able to take a MOOC in a completely different field, something that wouldn’t have been possible in a rigid, traditional schedule. However, I’ve also noticed that maintaining engagement in online courses can be challenging without active strategies to stay organized. One thing that’s helped me is setting dedicated times to study, as though I’m attending a live class. I like how you’ve approached LinkedIn as a tool to highlight your skills and achievements. LinkedIn has been a big focus for me. I recently revamped my profile to include more relevant skills and achievements, and it’s already helped me connect with industry professionals.
Peer Response 2 (Non-PodGroup) – Ling Fang
It’s great to meet you! I really appreciate how you’ve linked education to intimacy and rational communication in the social process. Your love for eSports is something I can relate to as well. The strategy and teamwork in eSports games are not only entertaining but also demonstrate how technology facilitates new forms of social connection and communication. I found your reflections on open learning particularly thought-provoking. I’ve noticed that the freedom to set your own schedule in open learning requires a lot of self-discipline. At the same time, it’s inspiring how open learning lowers barriers, making education accessible to those juggling other responsibilities, like work. I hadn’t thought about the connection between open learning and active socialization the way you did, but it makes sense. Interacting with peers in open settings can push students to be more intentional in their engagement, especially when they don’t have a traditional classroom structure. Your approach to digital identity is intriguing. Choosing to maintain a low profile online to prioritize privacy is increasingly rare but admirable. Personally, I tend to be more active online, but I also try to be intentional about what I post. Maybe you can consider your professional digital identity and how you can get so many more opportunities if you manage it well.
Peer Response 3 (Non-PodGroup) – Sai Bannur
Your passion for using technical expertise to solve real-world problems is inspiring, and it’s clear that your internship experience has left a lasting impression on you. I really enjoyed your reflections on distributed education. I agree with your point about the challenge of receiving direct feedback. I usually compensate for the lack of immediate feedback by actively reaching out for clarification and instructions. I feel that this goes back to the point that face-to-face learning can be something energizing since it creates an environment where ideas can flow more organically. I find that this immediate exchange of perspectives not only enhances understanding but also builds a sense of camaraderie. Your comment about digital literacy being a critical skill is also spot on. I’ve had similar experiences where digital literacy allowed me to maximize self-directed learning. For example, being able to use advanced search techniques and critically analyze sources helped me find credible academic papers and tutorials that significantly improved my coursework.