#thing16

I think I have found this one of the easiest badges to complete.  I have complete a six year part-time online degree course through UHI which was all online with no physical class attendance other than for exams. 

I think the biggest attribute to my success was motivation.  I was completely focused on the end goal as I had wanted to do it for such a long time.  After the initial first poor grade essay, I only improved and consistently got grades I was happy with.  The confidence came in bursts, with the first A came a huge burst of motivation and confidence.  Another huge factor in maintaining the self confidence was probably the anonymity of it all.  I never met a tutor or other student face to face which made it easier not to fear failure I think.  Of course it was not always plain sailing and at times it was difficult and I would have gladly been in a classroom with others to debate things with.  I think this is the only thing I missed, a good conversation in the presence of other people.  Contradictory views, I know, but for the most part I like being able to work at my own pace with all resources electronicaly/digitally (not sure what the difference is - that will be a Google search for later) available.  The only downside to this is of course information overload and the distraction of finding information which leads you on another information trail to satisfy your curiousity or is it learning?

Collaboration was probably an area I didn’t enjoy as the conversation was sometimes hard to read and it felt like you  were not being listened to; misunderstood or criticised.  I am sure that in a face to face conversation the social cues, body language and tone of voice would have made this interpretation inaccurate.  However, we managed to get through the group work and I guess that shows that collaboration is achievable, however difficult it may seem at the time.  Working with others is a skill and I find that as the years pass this is something I have understood more and more.  It does not necessarily make it easier but I can recognise the individuality of others and try to respect this.

I have been using digital technology it seems like forever, I am not scared to give anything a go and in a past life used to administer a computer network. Although that is a distant memory I am sure it boosted my confidence for dealing with new advances as they became available.  I, of course, am aware there is stil much out there I have never looked at or touched on and therefore, much more I can learn.

Working through 23things digital is an opportunity to increase my knowledge in a user friendly format, at my own pace and when my motivation kicks in. 

The SSSC badges have also been promoted in a staff meeting and I was ecnouraged to join the Aspiring Leaders course which I throgoughly enjoyed.  I think my organisation could probably do more to promote the use of SSSC badges, I feel at the moment it is down to individual motivation as it has not been mentioned again.  But then I guess that clearly shows the motivation of the individual.

I am enjoying Flow Free. It is an addictive, puzzling game.

A glass window in a churhc in Celje.

I'm sitting at my back yard and revising the past knowledge about the last couple of Things I had to complete and being very thankful to the #SurreyUniversity for the possibility of course attendance. I have learned so much.

I have always been very curious about the possible on-line protection of my work and I have never seen it as a 100% sure thing. My brother has a PhD in informatics and computer science and has always warned me that when publishing on-line, there is no complete certainty for the protection of your work. When once published, the chances of paper stealing are almost certain.  

Within the last Things, certain tools for researchers, with which they can protect their work were presented. All of them in some ways defenetly do, but I still think that there is no complete certainty. 

I was also very interested in CC license for your work and I’m certainly going to use it when publishing because I think that it is very easy to create one and it is one of the most certain protectors. 

At last I can say, that by my opinion, there is always a possibility of someone stealing your work, so try to protect your research/any kind of work in as much ways as possible.