Monica Jan - Future Librarian

  Looking Back It's crazy to go back to my very first post on here and remember how nervous I was to start blogging for this class. I think this blog and my professional website will be the largest online presence I have, since I've always tried to lay low online. If this whole project is one of the first things people find of me online, I would be completely okay with that! It's definitely better than my first search result being my address. Going back to my first blog post, I was hopeful for a good experience, and I must say it's been pretty great! Although I did not get to know my classmates in person, I felt like I was able to learn about my peers through their posts and comments, and I think that was one of the highlights of this experience. Our assignments also allowed me to reflect on each topic that was covered, providing me with a new level of self-awareness and a chance to grow! Then GIF Source: GIPHY Now GIF Source: GIPHY My Relationship With Technology Now ...

  What is a Digital Tattoo? You may have heard of the term " digital footprint ". This term can be used similarly to "digital tattoo". These terms highlight the trail that is left behind online by its users. The use of the word tattoo in place of footprint is meant to emphasize the permanence of the mark people leave on the internet. While the use of technology may seem like second-nature at this point in society, the repercussions of this history  may not have been considered, especially to those who have grown up with this technology. Simple Google searches can bring up personal information, such as addresses, names of family members, and personal photos. Depending on the nature of the information, this may affect your professional image! Growing Up Online As someone who grew up with the internet, I have not always been conscious of the mark I would leave online. I think I was more focused on what cool flash game I could play on the web after school. It wasn't...

  What is a Professional Learning Network? Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) are a community of professionals looking to work together and strengthen their practice. PLNs can consist of immediate coworkers, online groups, and others in your community looking to learn from others. A benefit of creating a professional community is that you can see things from the point of view of others and have access to various new ideas! It is so important to be able to have diverse thinkers in your PLN. Let's Grow Leaders says that you should develop a network that includes these four types of people: An Encourager - Someone to support you emotionally. A Challenger - Someone who makes you think your choice through fully. An Advocate - Someone who represents your best interests. A Technical Advisor - Someone with better/different experiences than you in your field. To learn more about where I would fall in a PLN, I took three personality tests: Fivethirtyeight Photo Source: Personal Res...

  How I Use My Digital Space Photo Source: Personal Image Personal Although I feel like I'm using technology all day (personally and professionally), I've noticed that my days don't have much variety in the apps I use. I'm not surprised by this at all because I'm usually a bit resistant to downloading new apps. Like I've said in an older post, I've been using Snapchat as my primary means of communication since 2013. Besides Snapchat, TikTok has quickly become one of my most used personal apps. This was also an app that I was reluctant to use, surprisingly. It took me a few months into COVID-19 quarantine to cave in and get it! Truthfully, I feel like that's when most people got into it (even though it was formed in 2018 ). YouTube is definitely a comfort app for me. I've always gravitated to watching videos on there rather than watching what was on cable. I think these are my "Big Three" when it comes to my "for fun" app. The othe...

  What is the Triple E Framework? Photo Source: Triple E Framework Triple E is a validated practical framework developed by University of Michigan Professor Liz Kolb. This framework focuses on supplementing students' learning experiences with technology rather than the technology being the focal point of lessons and potentially taking away from active learning. It highlights a "minds on" approach when working to create lesson plans involving technology while emphasizing learning goals. Triple E is broken down into three levels of learning: Level 1 Engaged Learning , Level 2 Enhanced Learning , and Level 3 Extended Learning .  These three levels of learning critique technology's role in teachers' lesson plans and give feedback on how it may be improved to ensure active learning in the students. Criteria for each level of learning can be seen in the graphic above! Engage : The technology used enables students to actively absorb the lesson in front of them. Enhan...

Hello again!      I believe my relationship with technology is similar to those around me. I grew up with computers and have seen how far we have come. Being just barely a 90's baby (born in '98), I learned how to use the computer with the staticky, big, boxy screen. Although I have been able to witness the advancements, I never grew interested in learning the inner workings of the devices I use every day. Like I said in my first blog post, I can get what I need to do. I am technologically fluent enough to excel at what I do for work and be able to complete tasks for school but taking on new technology makes me nervous. I am still capable of learning if I put my mind to it! More often than not, I am uninterested in learning about new technology, unless I need it to finish a project. Once again, I'm going to blame the fact that I have tech-savvy friends who would rather tackle my computer problems for me instead of watching me potentially mess something up 😅. Photo Source...

About Me Hello everyone! My name is Monica (she/her), and I am a Youth Service Associate at my local library with a background in biology. I've only been at my library for a few months, but I already love the work I'm doing. This is my third semester at Dominican University. So far, I've only taken the required courses, so I am quite excited to get to choose what electives to take. I am torn between learning more about the different options I have as an MLIS student or focusing on how to expand within the Youth Service Department. Outside of work and school, I enjoy spending time with my significant other, friends, and family. This usually consists of rock climbing or playing board games. The newest game we have played is called Wingspan . (I would love any game recommendations!) My significant other and I are also proud reptile owners. We have 2 ball pythons, a leopard gecko, a crested gecko, and a blue-tongued skink! I think that reptiles are so fun and interesting and I...