As I stare at my computer and hope I suddenly have an epiphany, on how I can cultivate my digital presence. I hear laughter from my kids, they are on their phones smiling, laughing and showing each other videos. I hear my son say, “Alyssa you need to hook me up with Tiktok, I can dance better then all of them” my daughter responds with “Jett no one wants to see an eight-year-old dance, let’s dance together”. My first question was why is Tiktok so popular? \u00a0and where did it come from? My son filled me in; apparently, he did some online research and it originated in China and it has been banned in some countries like India; however, everyone who is everyone is on Tiktok. I asked him how he knows this, and he said, “Mom Siri knows everything\u201d Those words resonated with me “Mom Siri knows everything” obviously Siri has a huge Digital presence in the world as she is accessible to anyone anytime. \u00a0How can I increase my digital presence? \u00a0I know that I am not willing to participate in Tiktok, so I need to think outside the box.<\/p>\n
After completing my map of digital technology,\u00a0it was evident that I currently have two personas one is Hygienist Cheryl and the other is Instructor Cheryl. I seem to keep both identities separate and they very rarely intercepted. Why is this I asked myself,\u00a0Can I combine the two and increase my presence in the digital world? The simple answer is yes! of course I can, the hardest part is how do I get there? After reading Dayna Boys’s paper on\u00a0Social Network Sites as Networked Publics: Affordances, Dynamics, and Implications,<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>her statement \u00a0“Defining and controlling boundaries around public and private can be quite difficult in a networked society, particularly when someone is motivated to publicize something that is seemingly private or when technology complicates people\u2019s ability to control access and visibility” (Boyd 2010) I realized this is the reason I keep my two lives separate, do I actually have to ? and how can I bring them together and not compromise my privacy?<\/p>\n Currently I am active on Twitter, and have a whole 13 followers, on the bright side it has only been one week. \u00a0LinkedIn, I currently have 155 connections and majority of those are Dental related. Facebook, I realize I use more for networking and joining groups, I currently participate in 20 active groups and 18 of which are dental related. So, the question is what is my plan to cultivate my Digital presence?<\/p>\n My purpose\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n So, it is evident to increase my digital presence, I have to overcome my fear of my privacy and combine my two digital personas. It is important that I concentrate on my purpose of why I am doing this. \u00a0I feel that in order for me to connect with my students, peers and fellow professionals, I must bring my two identities together. I do feel the both sides will benefit and that it will create a greater digital presence for myself.<\/p>\n My Approach\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n My approach is to combine both my digital identities, I can do this first with Twitter. I can share tweets, following medical professionals, education experts, ask questions and follow other MALAT past students and current. \u00a0I feel it is also important to ensure that my tweets are professional and have a purpose. \u00a0I can also increase my LinkedIn community, currently the majority of my connections are dental related, I can reach out and touch base with other instructors in educational institutes, MALAT past and present students, computer technology experts and experts in the virtual reality realm who can possibly assist with my research, in creating online clinical exams. \u00a0Currently, I only use Facebook for Dental related groups and keeping in touch with family, I have realized that I am underutilizing the power of Facebook and I need to broaden my horizons and reach out to the Digital world and other groups.<\/p>\n The Gaps in my Knowledge\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n I have found since being thrust into hyperspace with the (Covid-19),\u00a0I need to understand the power of my digital presence and how it can help me in my daily teachings. As I tell my students\u00a0“When we are no longer able to change a situation – we are challenged to change ourselves.” (Frankl 1990). \u00a0I know that my main challenge is changing my thinking and looking at my new norm of life. \u00a0It is my responsibility to research, embrace and review the digital environment in order to not only increase my digital presence and take my career as an instructor to the next level. I also have to encourage my students to do the same. I feel that I am light years behind in the digital world and that I have so much to learn.<\/p>\n Excelling at my Digital Presence\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n It is evident that I have a lot to learn and filling my gaps in my digital presence will be my biggest challenge. \u00a0The first thing I have realize is that the only thing holding me back is my own fear of failure and not allowing myself to combine both my identities into one. \u00a0I do believe with time I will be able to achieve my ultimate goal of increasing my digital presence through my blog posts, twitter feed, linkdin connections and my Facebook groups. \u00a0By increasing my digital presence, it will allow me to increase my connections across all platforms and thus my digital presence will increase.<\/p>\n Measuring my success\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n So, the question of the century is how will I measure my success and how will I know my presence has been increased? My plan is to review my social media platforms in a month\u2019s time to ensure that I have increased my followers, contacts and that both my digital identities have been combined. \u00a0It will be interesting to see if I can indeed succeed and combine the two. I also believe that increasing my digital presence will also have a positive impact on my students. I have realized that I am holding myself back and I can’t give 100% of myself or to my students if I am scared of what might be. \u00a0I have to think positive and realize that any feedback positive or negative is a bonus and it will enable me to create a better presence in the digital world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Boyd, D. (2011). Social network sites as networked publics: Affordances, dynamics, and implications<\/a>. In Z. Papacharissi (Ed.), A Networked Self (pp. 39\u201358). New York, NY: Rutledge.<\/a><\/p>\n Frankl, V. E. 1. (1990). Man’s search for meaning. Boston: Beacon Press.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As I stare at my computer and hope I suddenly have an epiphany, on how I can cultivate my digital presence. I hear laughter from my kids, they are on their phones smiling, laughing and showing each other videos. 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