Week 6 - Evernote

Hi Everyone,

Last week we were introduced to a new digital tool called Evernote.  I heard of Evernote a few years ago through the App Store because it was recommended for a productivity tool.  However, I didn't give it a try then so this was my first time.  Evernote is used to store documents, record audio, and capture pictures.  It helps with organization and can save time sourcing and finding articles.  The attribute that I like about Evernote is how it saves and synchronizes your digital life across all devices.  It makes it easy and convenient.

The main purpose when Evernote first came out was for note taking. After exploring Evernote, I disliked the setup of the notes and the notebook.  I found it difficult to create and put the notes into the correct folders.  This may be caused by being unfamilar with it and it consumed valuable time.  I just don't see a purpose for taking notes in this application when I can use Microsoft Word that is used by every organization in the world.

A benefit of Evernote is being shown through our assignment with partners.  It allows us to share information with each other and see what each other has done for research.  By creating a folder entitled "Digital Communication", I can save all of my research related to the topic in the folder.  It ensures that we don't overlap with our reserach and saves us from being counter productive.  Evernote is a great tool for students because of the web-clipping tool that saves articles in the application.  It is similar to bookmarking like we have talked about in previous weeks.  I think Evernote is useful for our colaborative assignment but I don't see the use for it outside of school... Maybe someone can prove me wrong.

As for where Evernote fits into my PLE, I would place it in either Organizing or Creating.  I'm leaning towards organizing because I like it more for organizing articles/sources than for creating notes.  Realistically, I only see myself using this tool for our assignment so it won't be in my PLE for long.

My Feedly this week had an interesting article that involved Washington Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin.  Remember how Ovechkin was lobbying to be picked last so he could win the car in the NHL All-Star Draft? Well it turns out that the car actually wasn't for him and it was pretty inspiring to see what his intent actually was.  He auctioned off a car that had the proceeds benefit the American Special Hockey Association.  It all started with his bond with 10-year-old Ann Schaab.  It's always nice to see professional athletes giving back.  For the whole story: Ovechkin Donates Car to Charity.

Hope you enjoyed my thoughts this week and enjoy the rest of reading week!

Mark

Week 5 - Twitter and PLN

Hello Everyone,

This week, we got to create a twitter account and explore the tool widely used by people and organizations around the world.  I haven't had a personal account in the past but have managed a few organizations twitter so I still had access to the tool.  Twitter has changed the way that we live as seen through the article: How Twitter Will Change the Way We Live by Steven Johnson.  A key point in this article is that the value of twitter is that you can engage real people with real questions in real time about your profession and interests.  It doesn't matter what part of the world that you are from.  Twitter also adds to discussion because it reaches a wider audience instead of just being a private exchange.

I am familiar with Twitter through my work experience so exploring it as an individual was different.  Twitter is the best alternative to Google for information because it is a mix of social networks, live seraching, and link sharing.  News updates can be released instantaneously and we can see them in our feeds.  The best feature of Twitter is the ability to hastag and group a topic.  This can be great for educational purposes because you can find everything new related to that topic because of the hashtag.  The #aded1p32 will allow me to find everyone that is talking about the class and I can learn from what they are sharing.

In addition  Twitter and my PLN (Personal Learning Network or Professional Learning Network) will add to my knowledge and learning.  Everyone's network is going to look different depending on their interests but I find that I am motivated when interested in the subject.  Through my connections made on Twitter and in my PLN that includes other social networking such as Linkedin, Facebook, and Blogs, I can engage and exchange information that I wouldn't have seen if I didn't have a digital footprint.  As for Twitter in my PLE from Week 2, I have Twitter as a socializing tool.  After exploring Twitter this week, it could also be categorized as Creating with all of the tweets that I send out and it could also be used as a career tool.  I can get up to date information on the sport industry and could possibly help me find future opportunities!

Lastly, I wanted to share an interesting article from my Feedly.  The NHL has undergone many rule changes over the past decade and it is always debated how the game can be improved.  This article by the Hockey Writers proposes 15 rule changes to the NHL.  Some suggestions are ridiculous such as allowing two goalies in the net at once but one makes sense.  Number 7 on the list suggests eliminating the shootout and replacing it with 3 on 3 overtime.  I agree with eliminating the shootout but I like the system that the AHL has put into place this season with three minutes of four-on-four play and a shift to three on three at the first whistle after 3 minutes.  It makes for some exciting hockey and allows the game to finish on a hockey play.

Check out the 15 Crazy Rule Changes the NHL Needs and for more info on the AHL rule change results, check out the AHL Results.

Hope you enjoyed my thoughts on this weeks material!

Mark