When I look at the digital map I created for an earlier activity in our course, I am satisfied with my digital identity and digital presence (DIDP) because I reside in the realms I want to live and with whom I want to interact. The questions posed in Schryver (2013) surrounding how we present ourselves online, how it makes us feel and if we would be Googled positively were something I addressed 6-years ago. I made a conscious choice only to have “professional Gill” in the online sphere and limit the public spaces I reside in to better my mental health.
The task of cultivating a DIDP assumes that we want to do so. Cultivate infers development or growth. Thus, how can I cultivate a DIDP throughout this program when I am satisfied with what I have already taken the time to create< consciously? What can I explore within the realms I already reside in to achieve the learning outcomes?
My purpose for being in this program is to explore and improve how I design and facilitate digital learning environments that build digital competencies in a barrier-free environment. “If we become the creators of tools and environments rather than developing simple learning content, we must learn to do it right” (Dron & Anderson, 2014, p. 33). I am one of those instructors Jenkins (2013) notes who want to learn and invest in creating participatory cultures in my classroom. I think my goal is to amplify the digital literacies of “educational student Gill” and expand my digital capacities through engaging with my cohort with a community of practice mindset and tapping into our “shared repertoire” (Dron & Anderson, 2014, p. 56) because there is considerable value being a part of this cohort. I need to lean into this process and the opportunity because building my digital literacies and increasing my digital capacity will, in turn, pass on to my students.
I want to learn more about CSS and learning tools others use in their practice. I would also like to learn more about editing and creating more polished recorded portions of my courses. To achieve this goal, I will actively participate, ask relevant questions and contribute to the shared safe spaces of our program, such as this blog, our Slack group and the LinkedIn group, as well as my own profile. I will set a goal for LinkedIn of adding two relevant posts to our group per month and my faculty group for a total of four because the subject matter is different.
I am also keen to explore reducing my digital presence in terms of how many APPs I use in the classroom for a more streamlined approach. However, while aiming to use less, I can see how I will likely use more with the acquired knowledge from my cohort, which will increase my digital presence by default based on some of the skills I would like to acquire. This can be started immediately and continued through the program.
Another way I have considered increasing my digital identity professionally is by designing and publishing open learning activities that can be adapted for online or face-to-face models. This is in the far future but would be a long-term goal beyond the program.
What are your thoughts on my plan? Do you see any gaps or have suggestions to help me cultivate my DIDP while staying off social media?
References
Dron, J., & Anderson, T. (2014). Teaching Crowds. AU Press. https://doi.org/10.15215/aupress/9781927356807.01
Jenkins, H. (2013, May 7). Henry Jenkins on participatory culture (Big thinkers series) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gPm-c1wRsQ
Schryver, K. (2013, March 5). Who are you online? Considering issues of web identity. The Learning Network Teach and Learn With The Times: Resources for Bringing the World Into Your Classroom. Retrieved April 29, 2022, from https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/05/guest-post-who-are-you-online-considering-issues-of-web-identity/
Hi Gill, Thank you for sharing! I admire how honest and open you are regarding your digital footprint. I know you said it is a long term goal but do you have any ideas on how you would publish the open learning materials? Would you want to do it anonymously or would you do it within your existing professional sphere? I have a colleague that posts on a youtube channel regularly but does not share his name/face. Are you planning on starting this project during the MALAT program or is this something you wish to start after? Thanks!
Hi Tim. That is a great question and one I do not entirely have an answer for.
I am hoping my discussion with Elizabeth this week in terms of program direction may help me figure some of this out. I am hoping to engage in active research with my students surrounding flipped classrooms and build digital literacies/ capacity for international students that could be used for a case study or potential activities to be published. The process of this is new to me, so I am aiming to team up with people/mentors as a research assistant or co-author to learn more about the process. This will likely develop through the program and beyond. (Does anyone want a writing partner?)
Currently, I am working on a case study with a grad student at RRU, and we are aiming to be published as a chapter in a book, so if it goes to plan, my name will be out there. I feel that in terms of “professional Gill” being published or having my materials used online is worthwhile and aligns with the current digital identity I have created. There is development within that for sure.
As I answer your questions, Tim, I am beginning to realise that growth is inevitable, but at least it will be controlled with a very specific direction. Thanks for getting the juices flowing. More to think about for Assignment 1.
An excellent, thought provoking post, Gill. I agree with Tim and appreciate your honesty about your initial apprehension of shifty out of your curated digital space. I too was nervous about this portion of the program at the beginning and applaud your shift in thinking toward inevitable growth.
It was one of our classmates who described the cost/benefit analysis of participating online. The cost can indeed be high, but so can the benefit, I think, if approached with purpose and care. You outline a great plan here and I’m sure there’s room for you to develop both “educational student Gill” and “professional Gill”. I’m sure they’re both awesome people.
I’d love to connect with you on LinkedIn, if you’re willing. You can find me here… https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-rowe-28441329/
Hi Christopher. We are officially “LinkedIn.” In actuality what you do for a living is what I am interested in getting into. Already ticking boxes on the benefit side of participating online already- connecting with professionals like yourself!
Hi Gill,
I like how open you were with being satisficed with the digital presence you have already created.
I especially liked how you spoke to the fact that cultivating means to grow and you have been conscious thus far about keeping a minimal online presence and it was intentional.
It sounds like you still have purposeful intention to grow in other respects throughout the program; and truly that is the intention of any education. I look forward to hearing more on your thoughts as we progress through the course about how you can keep a minimal digital footprint while still embracing the activities and technologies introduced. This is an area I am already struggling with in terms of wanting to be private or invisible online, but having to have more of a presence by default because of my participation in the MALAT program.
Hi Rebecca, thanks for connecting! I hear you on the notion of being invisible and private and struggling to want to take the leap. For myself, I found solace knowing that we are in a safe space in terms of our community and while we don’t all know each other well, seeing what people are posting with similar feelings lets us know we are not alone. The fact of the matter is our presence is “in-group” so to speak, which also makes me feel a little more comfortable with the scenario. Is there anything you are finding to help you ease your hesitations?