This week has been exciting and I feel like I am finally part of a community within the EDC17 course.  It was good to hangout with peers for a change rather than the usual intensified self directed learning. I really needed a break from all the readings, haha! The Skype hangout came about after a feeling of isolation on my xMOOC and it was an important part of the educational engagement process of the EDC course. My Twitter was VERY active this week but my initial belief that social media supports and stimulates is now debatable. Public social media based activity used corresponds with the individualism and communitarianism but the connection at times can be ambivalent. My experience of connection behind the scenes have been qualitative and honest in nature. In this environment we accept each other for who we are and what we bring to the conversation. It was refreshing to experience a slow paced discussion rather than the fast moving, rapidly changing and ephemeral nature of Twitter.

Whilst enjoying my xMOOC I had a rebellious moment and I am beginning to understand that the tools are used to decentralise power to the participant. It’s a ‘Do It For Yourself’ course that requires self-management and motivation. I have tried to connect my blog content with my identity, posting videos, news feeds and TED talks that connect with my occupation. I’ve tried to keep the informal nature of a blog but I can’t help but stress that my methods and blog content are not educationally productive.