I’ve been struggling with this deliverable because I can’t get past item 1: Review and analyze scholarly and popular literature on digital presence and identity through the Unit 2 readings.

I’ve done ALL the assigned reading, and to a large extent the analyzing, but I’m left with so many thoughts I can’t seem to organize them coherently.  

So I’m going to treat this like the black and white deliverable that it is in order to get unstuck.

What is your overall goal and purpose for cultivating your digital presence and identity?

My purpose for having a digital presence is so that I can participate in the program.  Prior to beginning the program I did not have a purpose for my identity online, hence very little presence.  Now I do, and so my goal is to be an authentic representation of my analog self and enter new spaces with intention and awareness. I would also like to cultivate a place where people can reach me.

What is your approach for achieving this goal?

In order to be seen as a ‘real’ person (Garrison et al. 1999) I commit to being on camera for synchronous activities I’m participating in.  My approach will also require patience and persistence to pull the thread on ideas in order to deliver the most authentic representation of them.

• identification of skills, knowledge gaps:

There are so many things I don’t know how to do yet, and much of it has to do with the Social Presence of the FOLC (Blayone et al. 2016).  I’m slow to articulate my thoughts and commenting on digital platforms is hard for me.  I don’t really do it.  I don’t give star ratings in the analog world, and you can count on one hand the number of comments I’ve left online in the last 5+ years.  I often joke that the comment section is where the internet goes to die, however they’re not always negative, and I do see some value they can provide. 

What are strategies and approaches to address the identified gaps?

The first step is practicing conversational feedback and aiming to do so in a timelier manner.  I will also update my public profiles to allow for more engagement

What are measure(s) of success?

For me, the ultimate measure of success is engagement from outside the program.  When we talk about nets and sets, it’s really about the broader online arena than a passing grade, although I aim to earn that too. 

References

Blayone, T., van Oostveen, R., Barber, W., DiGiuseppe, M., & Childs, E. (2016). Developing learning communities in fully online spaces: Positioning the fully online learning community model. (Paper presented at the Higher Education in Transformation Symposium, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada) [Retrieved from https://arrow.tudublin.ie/heit162/4/].

Garrison, D., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (1999). Critical inquiry in a text-based environment: Computer conferencing in higher education. The Internet and Higher Education, 2(2-3), 87–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1096-7516(00)00016-6