Networked Learning & Giving Back
As I wrap up EDTC300, one of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been the opportunity to learn with and from others. This course didn’t just teach me about digital tools and pedagogy—it modeled what a connected learning environment truly looks like. In this post, I want to reflect on how I contributed to the learning of others throughout the semester.
💬 Blog Comments: Building a Community
One of the most consistent ways I engaged with others was through blog comments. Each week, I made an effort to read and thoughtfully respond to at least 3–5 of my classmates’ posts. Whether I was encouraging someone’s learning project, offering tips on WordPress, or reflecting on shared struggles with tech balance, these conversations helped me feel like I was part of a real learning community.
A few memorable moments included:
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Sharing encouragement with a peer who was hesitant about coding for the first time.
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Recommending a video editing tool I had used for my own project.
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Responding to someone’s reflection on AI ethics by linking an article I found helpful.
🤝 Sharing Resources: Pay It Forward
Throughout the course, I also contributed by sharing resources. On Discord, I posted links to creative commons image sites, tech tools I found helpful (like Canva and Screencastify), and tutorials when classmates asked for help. I created a short screencast showing how to embed a YouTube video into a blog post—something I struggled with initially and knew others might appreciate.
One highlight was when I shared a Persian-English calligraphy site that connected to my own learning project. A few classmates messaged me privately afterward to say they had never seen calligraphy from that cultural lens before. That meant a lot to me.
🔁 Engaging in Dialogue: Learning Together
Learning also happened outside of blog comments—through back-and-forth chats on Discord, late-night replies in the #tech-help channel, and even fun GIF exchanges in the general chat. These interactions reminded me that professional networks don’t have to be dry or formal. They can be joyful, collaborative, and human.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Giving back doesn’t always mean teaching—it can also mean encouraging, supporting, and walking alongside someone else as they grow. That’s what I tried to do in EDTC300, and I’m proud of how I showed up for this community. As I move forward in my educational career, I know these habits of networked learning and digital generosity will stick with me.
Thank you to everyone who commented, shared, helped, and supported me this term. I learned just as much from you as I did from the course content.
Let’s keep learning—together. ✨