To create my visual network map I chose to use Kumu, as this allowed me to properly develop my map and see a crazy amount of connections. Although this was a rather straightforward activity I did find it shocking how connected the different parts of my life are. It also was interesting to me how many different apps, programs, or communication tools there are in each section of my life.
Using multiple apps, programs, and communication tools does make it easier to remain connected to my friends, family, colleagues, and cohort members; but it also makes it hard to give myself a moment of disconnection. Being a teacher in 2024, I find it important to model to my colleagues and students how to use technology in a positive and meaningful way. To do this I spend a great deal of time in my class discussing our digital footprint and how we can impact it, but also how impactful it can be to step back when necessary. It is important for me to “check out” every once in a while and not be as connected when possible. This could look like me limited social media or email for a short period, or in other cases going somewhere where there is no internet or cellphone reception. I do this as a way to mentally, emotionally, and physically reset and allow myself to not be at everyones beck and call. Being as connected as I am, it is very important to me to be able to do when needed.
Although I am currently at a place in my life where I enjoy having such a large network, I do not know if I will always feel this way. For now, I will embrace how connected I am and probably try to even expand it over the next few years, but I will most likely try to emphasize the more professional aspects of my network, especially over the next two years in the MALAT program.
3 May 2024 at 3:10 pm
Interesting thoughts, Lauren. This post reminded me of an article discussing the importance of cultural competency and techno-competency in the development of networking skills. There is a lot to digest in this particular article, but one of my main takeaways is that digital networks not only enable new kinds of connections, but may play a role in developing attributes that contribute to stronger networking abilities overall.
The authors state:
…digital skills and digital cultural production offer a powerful alternative venue to develop networking skills. Thus, creating and uploading a Youtube video is much more than generating a good laugh. Just as school visits to the museum had the greatest impact on disadvantaged students (Bowen et al., 2014), recent studies reveal the ways in which disadvantaged youth and students access the Internet to seek resources as a way to make up for their lack of social capital and gain a foothold on the ladder to upward social mobility.
The study is a few years old now, and I’m interested in looking at how some of these ideas have played out – especially as social networks are being seen more and more as potentially net-negative influences for children and teens.
Lee, K. S., & Chen, W. (2017). A long shadow: Cultural capital, techno-capital and networking skills of college students. Computers in Human Behavior, 70, 67–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.12.030
9 May 2024 at 6:49 pm
Lauren, excellent work. Your diagram is complex yet easy to gain insights from! I too was shocked how interconnected my network was, although we hear it, visualizing it is powerful!
When discussing your digital footprint with your students, what kind of discussions around reluctance have come up? I wonder if the next generations are more open to social media than my generation.