Casting A Wide Net

   Discord, a relatively new application that opened its doors on May 13, 2015, is a highly customizable messaging platform that allows for direct communication between users in private messages and more open, community based communication in Discord servers. Its main draw is its use as a multipurpose tool that allows voice calls, video calls, text based chat, screen sharing, and file sharing. These features are available in both private messages and Discord servers, but Discord servers add an element of organization to communication by dividing topic up into different "channels". Then, by using features such as "roles", Discord servers can divide their communities access to channels based on their interest in certain topics, resulting in a streamlined and organized experience for even the biggest of communities. Be sure to watch my full smackdown on Discord to get a better idea of how its incredibly customizable and configurable servers make it ideal for a variety

 Networking is a nebulous concept that is necessary to grow in many fields, especially in the talent based industry of sports broadcasting where I find myself. Therefore, I'm incredibly grateful for the fact that The Connected Educator: Learning and Leading in a Digital Age , a book by Lani Ritter Hall and Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach , the concept of networking is broken down to a science. However, as I tried to apply their thoughts on building networks and communities to my own field, I began to wonder where the line should be drawn between pure professionalism and natural connection when one is assembling their networks and communities.   The Connected Educator began its analysis of assembling like minded with networks, which it defines as purely personal and based around your own individual learning. With this in mind, the book delves into how to vet those you decide to follow, encouraging you to analyze how they can benefit you and how valuable their online presence is. Unfortunate