Digital Identity and Digital Presence Plan (DIDP)
Spider Web Gravity Well by Automania. CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
Purpose
Digital networks are the language of our times. Each connection provides opportunities for learning (Dron et al., 2014). This blog post proposes a plan to develop my digital identity as an educator, master’s student, and future researcher. As a start, I mapped my use of technology with White & Le Cornu’s (2011) Visitor and Resident framework. I am a frequent internet visitor, a media creator and a collaborator or resident. I function as an invisible facilitator in the learning spaces to curate and broadcast student work. I develop and share open resources and promote my organization, but my identity is hidden. My Master of Arts in Learning and Technology (MALAT) experiences have influenced my thinking. As a result, I have a new understanding of the value of cultivating and exposing my digital identity. Students and faculty co-create online lives. I need to understand how to bring students into digital learning environments. And I must be willing to lead by example (White & Le Cornu, 2011).
Goals
My plan to improve my digital identity and presence aims to:
- Provide a forum to reflect on my professional practice change journey.
- Make new social contacts and build new networks.
- Foster positive relationships.
- Enhance my professional practice to design learning environments based on current theories and research.
- Create engaging media contributions to influence learning communities.
Approach
To begin, I will apply an appreciative inquiry planning framework called SOAR. SOAR represents strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results (Gedak & Waddington, 2022, as cited in Sirois, 2022).. This strength-based approach leverages current strengths and social media platforms. Next, I will turn my attention to developing credibility. Boyd (2011) suggested that the architecture of networks matters. Common features help to build credibility. I will create a current profile and list potential connections and affiliations. Meyers (2013) recommended consistency so that ‘you’ are recognisable. Maintain the same picture, headings and profiles on all media sites. Engage, and keep interactions personable yet professional tone. Keep media accounts up to date (Meyers, 2013).
Rheingold (2010) described five media literacies: attention, participation, collaboration, networked awareness, and critical consumption. Rheingold (2010) asserted that attention is fundamental to all literacies. I will assess my lists of affiliates and media sites with attention in mind. The focus is on finding exemplars for networking, sharing, and learning. Focus will be essential to achieving credibility and time management.
Skills and Knowledge Gaps
To develop my digital presence, I bring design thinking and graphic communications. Also, I have teaching experience and completed the Vancouver Community College Provincial Instructor Diploma (PIDP). The diploma provided me with an overview of teaching and learning theory. My writing skills and confidence need improvement. I enrolled in an Academic Writing and Critical Thinking Course to improve my writing (starts May 2022).
Measures of Success
Success means maintaining a routine of regular media contributions and reading. For the next two months I plan to spend fifteen minutes daily creating and reading via Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Then, I will add one new social media platform bi-monthly until the end of the year. In the second year, I plan to contribute journal or blog posts (three or four over the year). In the longer term I would like to develop open resources. In particular citizens science habitat maps and data bases related to climate change and habitat conservation.
One of my goals is to engage students. Seeing students express digital fluency will be another measure of success. I aim to influence my learning community to co-create and be active citizens for social good.
References
Dron, J, & Anderson, T. (2014). Teaching crowds. Athabasca University Press.
Gedak, L., & Waddington, L. (2022, April 14). SOARing into Educational Change with Appreciative Inquiry [Video]. Zoom. https://bit.ly/LWLGMALATVS2022
Meyers, K. (n.d.). Manage your digital identity: inside higher ed. GradHacker. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
Rheingold, H. (2010). Attention, and other 21st-century social media literacies. Educause Review, 45(5), 14.
Sirois, J. 2022. A MALAT virtual symposium reflection [Blog].
Watters, A. (2015, July 15). The web we need to give students. Bright.
White, D., & Le Cornu, A. (2011). Visitors and residents: a new typology for online engagement. First Monday, 16(9).
Hi Jessica! Great post. I like how you are already citing our classmates! I took the academic writing course and I cannot say enough good things about it. Have you planned what social media platforms you will join? Do you already have profiles on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram?
Thanks!
Hello Tim,
Thank you for your questions and encouragement. I have been using Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn for teaching. For example, I use Instagram to take questions from the public (see #AskVIUHorticulture). Questions are real-world case studies, and student teams write responses. I mainly use Twitter and LinkedIn to share open resources created by students and promote events (for example, the department has plant sales). I will need to consider what platforms to add. Maybe YouTube and Pinterest.
My current social media use represents my employer/organization. I plan to setup media accounts with my name to develop my voice (my persona, tone, language and purpose).
Would you suggest social media platforms? What works for you?
Hi Jessica, I think it is a good idea to have a consistent profile on all social media sites, but this is not something I practice myself! I find it better to adjust to the different cultures and architectures.
I thought this post was very well put together. I liked how you incorporated SOAR. How do you think you will apply SOAR on social media sites?
Hello Heather,
I had not thought of incorporating SOAR on social media sites, but your question has influenced me to do so. SOAR, an appreciative inquiry approach, will set an aspiration tone for my posts. And working from strengths, being open to opportunities and sharing positive results will contribute to credibility.
Hi Jessica,
I enjoyed reading your post. It sounded like you were very successful in your work while maintaining your identity hidden. I’m just curious, how do you feel about transitioning from an invisible digital identity to exposing your your identity now? Was it within your expectations? Thanks!
Good questions! I expected learning in this MALAT program would bring about feelings of discomfort. I am thinking about why I selected an invisible identity. I can’t yet articulate a complete response. As a start, I had not considered a digital identity as part of role modelling for learners.