Last class we went over graphic design and how to implement graphics into our online work. One tool we discussed was PowerPoint and the different features that the program has to offer. Personally, I have used PowerPoint before for presentations, but I had never ventured into using the graphic tools; I had always just inserted external visuals for effect. After learning more about how accessible graphic design can be, I am motivated to experiment with it in my upcoming projects and using graphic design in my teaching materials.

Photo by NeONBRANDon Unsplash

Over the past week or so, I have been very focused on my school work as we are entering the height of the fall semester. By practicing yoga, it has given me a mental break from school and has helped to reduce my overall stress levels. I appreciate that yoga has also given my body a physical change from sitting at my computer for long periods of time. Sometimes when I am practicing positions that are calming, I like to imagine that I am doing yoga on a warm, sunny beach (hopefully I will get back to travelling soon). I find that this strategy helps me to enter a state where I am mindless and relaxed.

Photo by Jared Riceon Unsplash

This week, I had two opportunities to participate in yoga and meditation; one instance was during class time and involved the assistance of a few of my classmates, and the other was on my own time. During my EPHE class, we were assigned to groups to breakdown a certain physical skill and were told to explain how to properly perform it. My group chose the yoga position Downward Facing Dog as our example. After breaking down a position that was seemingly so simple into seven different steps on how to perform it, I had a realization of the importance of taking things slow and paying attention to detail. So often I feel rushed to get things done, but my EPHE activity exemplified that when I allow myself to relax my pace and focus on the method, I can become much more calm and productive.

Later in the week I was feeling quite overwhelmed with my workload and I entered a state of anxiousness. To try and help myself unwind, I drew a hot bath and spent nearly half an hour practicing breathing methods. I found that this was the most effective way for my mind to slow and my body to destress; I became so relaxed that I ended up falling asleep. After taking a moment for myself, I was able to become more productive and motivated to complete the remainder of my tasks.

This week’s class discussion was focused on the role of technology within the classroom, specifically how social media is used by members of the education community and the guidelines and boundaries of how this tool should be utilized. One point that stuck with me from this lecture was the importance of educating all parties how electronics and technology should be used in order to create a safe and professional learning environment. For example, teachers should only have contact and communication with students through channels that are monitored by schools, like Google Classroom, rather than outlets that are private and cannot be regulated. This is so that teachers can fulfill their roles of properly overseeing and securing the technology used in their classroom, and it also ensures that privacy standards are being upheld. Overall, it is integral for teachers to utilize social media and other technological tools in a way that complies with the law and the professional standards of their employer.

For my free inquiry project, I have decided to implement yoga into my routine. Normally I make excuses for myself as to why I haven’t been able to consistently practice yoga or meditation, but the pandemic has pushed me to focus more on my health and stress management. This week I managed to squeeze in a yoga session in between my assignments; it was short and sweet, but overall I found it to be quite effective. Afterwards, I felt that I was able to focus more on my school work, and it was a nice physical break from sitting on my computer all day. I have noticed that I have been more motivated to practice yoga than in the past, partly because I feel that my body and mind need an escape from the monotony of my daily routine, but also because I am able to access resources online that I hadn’t heard of in my previous attempts. Since the beginning of the pandemic, a few people have recommended that I check out a YouTube channel called “Yoga with Adriene”. They have raved about her videos and said they are very easy to follow. For my yoga session this week, I followed along with one of her videos and I agree with my friends that she is a great resource. I thought it would be a great place to start on my inquiry journey since I am already very comfortable with using YouTube, but I am looking forward to using what I have learned in EdTech to find more resources that can contribute to my learning experience.

Over the last few weeks, the topic of free inquiry learning has been addressed in multiple of my classes. Recently within the education system, there has been a shift in mindset so that there is an emphasis on the development of practical skills such as critical thinking and problem solving rather than putting pressure on students to produce good results on tests and exams. One way of transitioning to an educational system that prioritizes these values is through free inquiry learning. At first, inquiry-based learning can seem somewhat daunting in the sense that it is a relatively new practice and that it strays from traditional methods of learning, however it has become quite effective. Students are able to focus on topics that are tailored to their interests while simultaneously building traits that many find useful in day-to-day practices, which can lead to an overall enriched learning experience. Although free inquiry learning has many benefits, it can sadly become a detriment to students who enter into post-secondary education. Since the education system is still prominently exam based, those students who participate in inquiry may not have as much experience on producing high test scores. In our EdTech lecture this week, my breakout group discussed how post secondary institutions prioritize GPA rather than practical skill, and that as long as this culture exists within our education system, students will only be motivated to jump through the hoops needed to get to the next step rather than being motivated to have a meaningful learning experience.

Going into EDCI 336, I had no idea what to expect. My experiences with educational technology are very limited; in school, the only platform I had to learn how to maneuver was Google Classroom, and I didn’t have to use it very often. Coming into this course during a time where nearly all of my schooling is online is quite fitting, but at the same time it can be quite overwhelming. At times I feel so disconnected with my online schooling, none of the online tools have come close to resembling the dynamic and overall feeling of being inside a classroom. However, even though I can’t wait for the day to be in the same room as all of my classmates, this pandemic has provided me with the opportunity to grow as a learner and educator.

Before this semester I was very content with staying inside my comfort zone when it came to school, but now I have been pushed to swap my pen and paper for a laptop and build my online skill set. Right now I am nowhere near being considered technologically savvy, but I hope that I can move towards that as EDCI 336 progresses. My goal for myself is to retain the skills that I will learn in this course and apply them to education so that I can create a richer, more enhanced learning experience for myself and my future students.

After getting settled into my new school schedule, I was able to begin brainstorming ideas for my free inquiry project for EDCI 336. At first I had no clue where to start, but then I started to think of past goals I had set for myself but never was able to complete. I have always wanted to become a more calm, mindful person but I usually get caught up in my daily tasks and don’t take time to unwind from all of life’s stressors. In the past I have tried different methods of relaxation, such as meditation, but they never stayed a consistent part of my life.

In my EPHE 310 class this semester, we were tasked to pick up a new form of exercise. The one activity that came to mind was yoga; it is very accessible since it requires minimal equipment and there are tons of resources online to guide me through it. Yoga is a practice for both the body and the mind, therefore I will be able to become more active and also work on my mental strength so I can minimize stress within my daily life. I feel that yoga will be a great outlet to destress at the end of my school day, and I hope that by practicing consistently I will be able to see a positive outcome on my mental well-being.