While creating my Visitor-Resident Map to analyse my digital presence online, I reflected on how my presence has changed over time. Being a student in 2004-2008 when social media began to explode on the scene, I initially embraced platforms like Facebook. It truly felt like part of my life was lived online. Over time I came to be more cautious of the image I put online, viewing the dangers of oversharing too much. I now curate a more controlled and intentional digital presence as a social resident. The reason for this is to maintain connections and give life updates to friends and family who are spread out around the world, however I limit what I post and publish, and am only visible to my friends list.
Examining my Visitor-Resident Map, I can also see that my professional presence is very limited on social platforms. I created a Blog for new teachers moving to Peru as a guide, and have a limited LinkedIn page, but the rest of my professional side is directed towards digital tools used more as a visitor. There are a few digital tools, like Google Suite, Youtube, Gmail and Whatsapp, which straddle both personal and professional realms, both visitor and resident. Overall, I can see that I have a strong presence as a social resident, but have a lack of presence professionally online outside of a very limited sphere. With this in mind, I hope to construct an equally strong and curated presence as a resident in my professional life in order to support my future goals.
Hi Heidi,
I agree with you about how my online presence has changed over the years. When I first started using Facebook in 2007, I thought I was so “techie.” However, this was just the beginning.
I also have to be careful of my online presence because of my current position as a Social Worker. The organization I work for has a strict policy about using social media to connect our work with the community, so I have to hide my profiles and not engage with clients if they contact me. This is why my personal and professional presence is very little.
I feel like I am a visitor to all areas. However, I hope this program can introduce me to methods and strategies to utilize technology in a more “resident” way.
Similar to you Heidi I also have several aspects of my digital presence that straddle multiple parts of my personal and professional life. I find that this is almost a norm for many of us who have so emerged to social media as teenagers and young adults. I know that I try to share my own experiences with social media with the students I work with and model how to use these platforms safely when possible, the whole “learn from my mistakes” type of lesson.
Since starting a teacher-focused social media account have experienced many positive changes. It is one of my only professional pieces online, which I found an interesting way to start.
With your conscious choice to limit your presence online, what are some ways you can think to increase and strengthen your professional presence? Perhaps expanding your blog or moving into other areas?