A Valuable Lesson Learned From Taking A "Digital" Break

A new year, and another semester at University of Colorado Denver. I can’t believe it’s been almost exactly two years since my last blog post! I started blogging more heavily when I enrolled in UCD back in 2015 in the master’s program for Instructional Design, Information and Learning Technologies. There’s been moments where I’ve seemingly been wrapped up in social networks in conjunction with the assignments. However during the last year to two years I’ve focused on instructional production outside of blogging and social learning networks.

During that time I’ve definitely learned the value of being able to step away from media. The greatest take-away: I have the right to enjoy life and choose to what I do with my time. I much prefer a good hike or social gathering in physical space over virtual.

Media doesn’t own me. I don’t have to respond to tweets, blog posts, Facebook or other social networks, even emails if I chose not to. For a person that spends 40-60 hours in front of a computer designing - this has liberated me from the machines and improved my physical and mental health.

However I’m not totally free. As part of the coursework and philosophy for the program of which I am enrolled I am required to be a sort of digital citizen and leave a “digital footprint” or at least breadcrumbs for others to follow. In other words, to be seen as a thought leader or instructor of anyone who chooses to pay attention. And with that, we begin blogging, tweeting, and engaging in social learning networks once again in 2019. Time for a new and refreshed approach!

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