Reflecting on Week 6

This week I've enjoyed thinking about the idea of learning networks and my experiences with them. As we examined the various elements of these networks - curation, collecting/sharing resources, etc. - I reflected on how social media and the internet has revolutionized how we can learn from each other. 

In a sense, we've always had these networks. Knowledge has always been curated and shared amongst friends, families, coworkers - I recall at family gatherings aunts bringing over recipes/dishes, and my mom discussing them at length. Sometimes friendly debates would ensue as to techniques, uses of spice, and more. In my circle, I recall some of my friends sharing techniques for weight lighting (we played football, so it was something we all had a vested interest in). We sometimes exchanged journals, or literature regarding lifts, and then would get back together and discuss the outcomes.

So yes, we've had these types of networks in which we would all learn from each other for a while, and now with everything a click away it's never been easier to share our experiences and knowledge with one another. For instance, I recently became part of one of these networks that was previously unknown to me. As part of my professional development, I've been allowed to connect with those in my field by attending conferences and becoming members of various professional groups. Being able to share presentations, lectures, and other literature has been an invaluable part of my growth.

Of course, as we discussed this week, how we go about verifying the validity of the sources of information is sometimes a challenge, especially when we're sharing content with those unfamiliar to us. We have to use the tools available to us, along with our gut instincts to validate the information we receive.