Introduction - Week 1

I am going to be very honest here.....I am really bad at reflective practice...unless there is a bottle of red involved and then I am able to reflect until the cows come home! But due to the high protein low carb diet that I am currently on (two lots of baby weight is in desperate need of removal), I only get to drink wine once a week...and I am too busy eating and drinking everything under the sun to write on my 'free' day! However, I am going to attempt to write a reflective piece on my learning each week - it also helps that it is part of my assessment...nothing like an assessment task to get you working.

Lyn I hope you don't mind that I have taken the approach to write like I am having a conversation with you...I find it easier that way and less like blowing my own trumpet and I get to be 'me'.

So Social Networking....what does it mean to me? Well I am going to be very honest whilst on maternity leave with my first child - Facebook was my saviour! I had severe post-natal depression after my first... I think I also had undiagnosed pre-natal depression now that I look back on it...but that is a story for my other blog
http://mummybalancingact.blogspot.com

My definition of social networking is a device or piece of technology that allows human beings to interact within a virtual world, one that is not impacted by distance, whereby they can share feelings and thoughts, communicate, collaborate and construct knowledge and understanding.

What social networking devices have I used (personally/professionally/student life).....Facebook, Twitter, Bookglutton, Moodle, Skype, Googledocs, Wikis.

What do I hope to learn from INF 506.....I am hoping to develop an understanding of social networking technology that I haven't had the opportunity to use before such as Flickr and Second Life - as I am yet to understand why I need to have a second life considering how busy my first one is?... I am also hoping to develop skills that will enable me to use this technology in my 'day -job' as students use this technology like the rest of us breathe air...so I want to make Science and English Language (linguistics) more engaging through this medium.