Throughout the EC&I 831 course, I have actively contributed to the learning of my fellow students by engaging in class discussions, asking thought-provoking questions, and providing support on various platforms. That said I have to make a confession I was unable to type for a few weeks. Over February break I woke up in Mexico and had a little bump on my hand. 24 hours later I was in a hospital here in Moose Jaw and my hand was a balloon. My one hand was so swollen I could not move my fingers or wrist and my other hand was home to IV antibiotics.
So my hands were not very usable for a few weeks. After a three weeks of anti-biotics I was back on track. So during that time I tried to stay connected with my peers any way possible. Jenni was a big help at that time for I was able to still exchange thoughts and ideas and feel connected with what was going on with the class.
Here are some key moments and contributions that highlight my involvement:
Encouraging Deeper Thought in Class Discussions and response on blog posts
In our class discussions, I consistently asked questions that encouraged my peers to think more deeply about the topics at hand. By challenging assumptions and exploring different perspectives, I helped create a dynamic and engaging learning environment. This approach not only enriched my own understanding but also fostered a collaborative atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable sharing their ideas. I always encouraged collaboration in our breakout groups and was always present. I was always communicating through chat as well to students. I was also amazed by the creativity of the blog posts. Here are some examples below:
I actively engaged with my peers’ blog posts, offering encouragement and constructive feedback. For instance, I discussed with Ayodele the pros and cons of Camtasia Pro/Capture versus Microsoft Stream/Clipchamp, helping her make informed decisions about her video integration. Christina was curious about how I streamlined my script using Artificial Intelligence, and I shared my insights to assist her in refining her content.
Supporting Fellow Students on Discord
Discord has been a valuable tool for our course, and I made sure to be an active participant in this space. When Jenni and Shasta were unsure about the best way to download videos from Instagram to upload to YouTube, I stepped in to offer guidance. I suggested that Shasta continue using YouTube, as it was a reliable platform, and mentioned that I was experimenting with Vimeo as an alternative. I eventually settled with a suggestion for both Jenni and Shasta to use Microsoft 365 and provided detailed steps to use Clipchamp, a promising video editing tool. I guided her through logging into office.com, entering credentials, and accessing Clipchamp via the Waffle Icon. I emphasized the tool’s ability to save videos in mp4 format, which could then be uploaded to Google Drive and shared on her blog. This practical advice aimed to streamline her video editing process and enhance her content creation capabilities. They were able to then upload her videos to YouTube and integrate it into their blogs.
Student Collaboration was critical
Shasta’s encouragement on my blog posts was a significant motivator for me. Her responses and research, such as exploring Fusion 360 for house plans, inspired me to delve deeper into topics and provide detailed answers. Her support exemplified the collaborative spirit of our course, where we all learned from and motivated each other.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside Jenni Peeke in our school division, sharing not just a professional space but also a physical wall between our offices. Our connection was truly catalyzed by the EC&I 831 course, which provided numerous opportunities for collaboration and mutual support. Here are some key ways I contributed to Jenni’s learning journey:
Jenni and I quickly bonded over our shared experiences in the EC&I 831 course. This connection allowed us to support each other in various aspects of our professional and personal development. Our proximity in the same building made it easy to discuss course content, share insights, and apply what we learned to our daily work scenarios.
Supporting Jenni’s Major Project: Learning the Cello
One of the most significant ways I contributed to Jenni’s learning was by supporting her major project of learning to play the cello. We had in-depth discussions about the best types of auxiliary microphones to use for recording the cello on a separate Bluetooth microphone. This technical advice helped Jenni enhance the quality of her recordings and better capture her progress.
Picture taken by Jenni Peeke
When Jenni was planning a trip to Calgary and needed a way to continue practicing her cello technique, she came to me and asked if I could help her by 3D printing a practice cello for her, allowing her to work on her technique even while traveling. I really enjoyed supporting Jenni and I loved how she found it an invaluable tool for her to use for this enabled her to maintain her learning momentum regardless of her location.
I also appreciated the talks with Jenni when she inquired about how to amplify and isolate certain sounds in her video recordings, we explored various devices and techniques. I don’t think I helped as much because I through out some ideas and she eventually went with her gut and picked a bluetooth microphone. When she received the bluetooth microphone in the mail it was quite a site. Picture this, Jenni walking around the entire building seeing if the bluetooth will remain connected to her computer as we talk through Teams. I had to turn my sound way up so she can hear. We probably drove some people crazy with our sound test but it was fun.
Throughout the weeks, Jenni and I would frequently discuss what we had learned in class, whether it was an app, a skill, or learning material. These conversations helped reinforce our understanding and provided practical applications for our work. We often referenced EC&I 831 course content when discussing work scenarios, ensuring that we were integrating new knowledge into our professional practices. We would actually call each other out when one of us were trying new strategies with students and staff.
Conclusion
My contributions to Jenni Peeke’s learning journey have been driven by a genuine desire to support her growth and development. Through collaboration, technical advice, innovative solutions, and ongoing discussions, I have helped Jenni navigate her major project and provide genuine encouragement in her pursuit of higher learning. Our shared experiences in the EC&I 831 course have not only strengthened my admiration and professional relationship we have cultivated in a very short time.
My contributions to the EC&I 831 course have been driven by a genuine desire to support and learn from my peers. Through active participation in discussions, providing practical solutions, and offering encouragement, I like to think I was a small part that helped create a supportive and enriching learning environment in our EC&I 831 class. This collaborative approach has not only enhanced my own learning experience but also fostered a sense of community among my fellow students.