Looking Back at My Digital Learning Journey

“If you never try, you’ll never know what you are capable of.”

(John Barrow, n.d.)

I believe Barrow’s quote can be applied to my whole learning journey through MANG2049. I never thought I was capable of creating my own content, let alone posting it for the whole world to see. When I wrote my introductory post at the start of the module, I could merely speculate what the ending would be like 3 weeks later. Now that the module has come to an end, I truly feel I have accomplished a lot and that my digital confidence has improved significantly.

Though it was rather challenging, each topic was thought-provoking and extremely rewarding. The process of blogging helped me gain both knowledge as well as practical skills. I am able to create my own content, engage with others and continuously broaden my learning network. In this final post for the module, I will reflect how I have improved throughout this course and my thoughts about living, learning and working on the web and how I plan to take this forward.

The abundance of theoretical information through the FutureLearn MOOC and ongoing discussions, has given me a greater understanding of how the digital world has evolved over the years. These are some of the responses I made.

(Sourced from FutureLearn. Self-Produced via Piktochart, 2017)

The internet is my main source of information and it is definitely important for me to be weary of false information that is lurking all over the web. MANG2049 has equipped me with valuable practical skills that are applicable in various contexts. Over the course of this module, my digital literacy has significantly improved. I developed my ability to create, manage and redistribute content online. To support my statement, please refer to the infographic below.

(Original Content. Self-Produced via Piktochart, 2017)

The Self-Test undertaken at the beginning really put into perspective where I was as a digital user among the rest and the aspects in which I need to work on. I believe I have achieved these ratings by opening myself up to a wider range of sources with a more critical outlook. I pushed myself to think out of the box and made comments on other blog posts that shared similar and/or different views in order to enhance my learning and gather knowledge which developed my critical thinking skills.

I was once a digital visitor, now I am moving towards a digital resident.

(Original Content. Self-Produced via Canva, 2017)

With regards to building an online identity and presence, I expressed a desire to improve my LinkedIn and Twitter accounts and differentiate my identity between personal and professional. The changes I have made to my digital profiles reflect my learning and will continue to impact my online actions in the future. Here are how my various digital profiles have evolved over time to their current status.

 

 

 

 

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(Original Content. Self-Produced via Microsoft PowerPoint, 2017)

I made more connections on LinkedIn and included my professional contact details and the skills that I have gained from each working experience that I have been through. I uploaded a more professional photo and kept it consistent with my Twitter account. This maintains my consistency and authenticity. I also added a cover photo to give it a personal touch and feel.

In addition, regarding my participation in online communities, MANG2049 has given me the opportunity to engage with my peers to some extent. It was a great opportunity to develop my ability to communicate with others online. By collaborating with peers and following areas of interest on Twitter, I managed to expand my network and gain more inspiration. I proceeded to tweet more frequently and retweeted many interesting posts which I find enlightening. Here are some examples of Tweets that I contributed.

(Original Content. Self-Produced via Venngage, 2017)

I hope to continue building my online networks, both personally and professionally to give myself a more enjoyable online experience in the future.

MANG2049 has also inspired me to work on my creativity and content creation skills. I made a Pinterest account and took note of the designs that gave me more inspiration in improving my content. Here is my Pinterest board.

(Screenshot via My Pinterest Board, 2017)

Furthermore, by incorporating various means of presenting my content, such as Powtoon, Biteable, Prezi, Canva, Piktochart and Venngage, I am able to express my creativity and convey my message in a more engaging and concise manner.

The skills, knowledge and digital profiles developed through this module will undoubtedly enhance my learning journey and future career. Here is a video I made showing the skills I have learnt and how I plan to apply them in the future.

(Original Content. Self-Produced via Biteable, 2017)

Overall, MANG2049 has benefited me greatly and is a unique module that made full use of online learning. It made me more intuitive and I find it to be innovative, fun and practical at the same time. The lessons I have learnt are enriching and I have acquired valuable skills that are applicable to numerous aspects of my life. Right now, I am well-tuned digitally and confident in obtaining the right information online. I have definitely made tremendous improvement regarding my blog posts and content and am pleased with my progress. Here is a screen recorded video of my content creation development on WordPress.

(Original Content. Self-Produced via Apowersoft, 2017)

These are my key learning points I have summarised in this Prezi presentation.

(Original Content. Self-Produced via Prezi, 2017)

Finally, I’ll leave you with this video (filmed, featuring and edited by me!) with some final thoughts on MANG2049! 😊

(Original Content. Self-Produced via Splice, 2017)

 

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Connect with me via:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarah_ttl

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-tan-8816b0b9/

 

References

Barrow, J., (n.d.) BrainyQuote. John Barrow Quote.

University of Southampton, (2017). Future Learn. Learning in the Network Age – Media Literacy.

University of Southampton, (2017). Future Learn. Learning in the Network Age – Network Identity.

How my views of having a single identity have changed

(Self-Produced via Piktochart, 2017)

In my previous post, I mentioned that I was more inclined in having a single identity due to its convenience. However, through the interactions and lessons learnt, I am convinced about the advantages of having multiple identities as each “identity” serves a different purpose. This allows me to project an appropriate image with various social and professional groups.

Xin Yi’s question made me reflect on the challenges I faced when maintaining a single identity, especially on the privacy issues due to being easily searched and contacted by strangers on the Internet. This applies to identity thieves and fraudsters who hide under the cloak of anonymity.

Stella noted that as we transition online, our digital footprints are captured without our knowledge or consent. This could be both an opportunity and threat when having a single identity depending on my search history and online habits. With multiple identities, I am able to customise this algorithm contextually.

(Adapted from Ludovice, 2013. Self-Produced via Piktochart, 2017)

After having a single identity for so long, I was unable to differentiate between personal and professional contexts. My dialogue with Julian about security and the need for regular “clean-ups” on social media was insightful. With the increase of employment screenings through the use of social media, it is important to present myself in the best way possible, while remaining authentic and genuine.

(Career Savvy, 2014)

Now that I am in University, I feel a greater need to separate my identity when it comes to socialising and professional networking in order to expand my network and contacts. Although having multiple identities can be time consuming, I am sure with determination, I can manage them easily.

All in all, I believe that the most important thing is to be true to myself and responsible with what I post online, while keeping my personal branding and image consistent throughout all platforms.

 

(Self-Produced via PowToon, 2017)

 

Word Count: 300

 

References

Brogan, C., (2008). Develop a Strong Personal Brand Online Part 1.

Career Savvy, (2014). Infographic: Stay Savvy Online – Social Media Tips for Job Seekers.

Henry, A., (2012). Lifehacker. How to Clean Up Your Online Presence and Make a Great First Impression.

Ludovice, C., (2013). Vivint. Pros and Cons of Your Digital Footprint.

Pearce, K., (2013). Personal Branding: Using Social Media to Differentiate Yourself.

University of Surrey, (2017). Surrey Social Media.

 

My Comments

Stella Lee

Adriel Li

Who are You Online? and Why it matters

Social media has grown at such a rapid pace that some people are still wondering how it fits into their lives on a personal and/or professional level. (QUOC, 2017). Everyone has their own way of using social media according to specific needs such as connecting with friends, personal interests or work purposes. It is a platform where we express ourselves, through our preferences and personality.

Who you are online is just as important as who you are offline. What do you want the world to know about you? How do you want to portray yourself? It all boils down to how you manage your digital identity.

(Original Content. Self-Produced via PowToon, 2017)

Our online activity is available to anyone with internet access. Hence, we need to be careful with what we display on our online profiles. So, how many digital “selves” should we have? The biggest difference between personal and professional networking is purpose and mindset. (Engel, 2012). Ultimately, it is an individual preference whether to have a single online identity or multiple online identities. Here is an overview of the pros and cons for each.

(Adapted from FutureLearn. Self-Produced via Venngage, 2017)

I shared my initial approach on the FutureLearn MOOC discussion.

(UOS, FutureLearn, 2017)

 

After thinking it through, I found it more ideal to have multiple online identities for different purposes and audiences. Managing virtual life and profile is indeed critical in one’s employability. Social recruiting has become a rising trend – 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates before hiring. (Salm, 2017).

By making a clear distinction of my online identities, I am able to showcase my profile, experiences and achievements professionally while still holding on to my personal life with people I can trust. This is what I plan to adopt.

(Original Content. Self-Produced, 2017)

 

In short, we have to be conscious about how we manage our digital identity. Who we are on social media is a critical determinant of our personal branding and image.

 

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References

Bennett, S., (2012). Adweek. People Use Different Social Networks for Different Reasons, Says LinkedIn.

Engel, A., (2012). LinkedIn. LinkedIn Research Reveals Insight into the Mindset of Today’s Professional.

George, J., (2016). LinkedIn. Maintaining Personal vs. Professional Identity on Social Media.

Krotoski, A., (2012). theguardian. Online Identity: is authenticity or anonymity more important?

Queens University of Charlotte, (2017). Managing Personal vs. Professional Identity on Social Media.

Salm, L., (2017). CareerBuilder. 70% of employers are snooping candidates’ social media profiles.

TheEmployable, (2014). How blogging can help you get a job.

University of Southampton, (2017). Future Learn. Learning in the Network Age – Network Identity.

Is Education enough in combatting false information?

There is a deluge of information in the net. The challenge we face with every browsing is how content can be filtered to ensure its authenticity.

I learnt to be more razor sharp by scrutinizing data through various techniques. During the MOOC discussion on FutureLearn, I shared my personal experience being a victim of fake news.

(FutureLearn, 2017)

I was living in an Echo Chamber where most of my friends shared similar views which made me experience tunnel-vision regarding any topics discussed. I now realize that an effective way to learn and embrace knowledge is by challenging and critically analysing what others have to say while remaining tactful.

In Aaron’s post, he shared that education is important to increase our digital literacy. In response to my query on what schools can do to create greater awareness on the dangers of false information, Aaron made a few suggestions which were interesting and implementable.

My dialogue with Xin Yi dwelt on the effectiveness of legislation to curb the spread of fake news versus the role education can play to tackle this problem.

However, is education enough? Click the link below.

https://uw-media.usatoday.com/video/embed/97840904?placement=embed

(USA Today, 2017)

Personally, I advocate both methods to be used as the former acts as a deterrent while the latter is to inculcate a sense of responsibility and awareness to users.

(Original Content. Self-Produced via Venngage, 2017)

Victoria gave a different perspective with her personal sharing. She shared the various sources of information she was exposed to at different stages of her life. This made me reflect on my growing up years and how my questioning ability and analytical skills have evolved over the years too.

Through the forums and on-line learning, I’ve been sensitized to the different aspects of unreliable sources and the need to be observant and cautious. Going forward, I will apply what I have learnt to good use.

 

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References

University of Southampton, (2017). Future Learn. Learning in the Network Age – Media Literacy.

Seow, B, Y., (2017). Straits Times. Laws to tackle fake news likely out next year.

AP., (2017). USA Today. Can ‘only education’ solve the fake news problem?

 

My Comments

Aaron Wong

Loo Xin Yi

Has the Internet been Lying to You?

(Adapted from IFLA, 2017. Self-Produced via Canva, 2017)

In this digital age, anyone can create content online without qualms. The proliferation of information can be bewildering but foremost in one’s mind would be to question the reliability and authenticity of the information. Thus, the need to evaluate online resources and identify trustworthy content is an important step in any research process. (Stevens, 2016)

The Internet has globalised the art of misinformation, allowing a single post to go viral across the planet. (Leetaru, 2016). It is inevitable that people post fake news and articles on the Internet mainly as pranks, or to create attention. Astonishing headlines can be a deliberate scam or Clickbait used for advertising purposes. When a headline name is used pejoratively, it tempts the viewer to click the link which can turn out to be misleading. (Frampton, 2015).

Here’s how to evaluate the authenticity of news articles.

(Kirschenbaum, 2016)

We need to increase our network and mustn’t rely solely on online information or remain in an enclosed community, otherwise we would experience “The Echo Chamber Effect”. Instead, we should proactively search for alternative opinions and perspectives outside of the Chamber.

(Jameel, 2016)

Our searches also matter. Filter bubbles surround us as algorithms are deployed to study and deliver personalised content based on one’s online behaviours and patterns. To find out if you are living in a Bubble, do refer to this flowchart.

(Okyle, 2016)

Thus, it is imperative that we navigate out of our comfort zones and enrich our learning by testing out different search engines, accessing a variety of resources as well as joining new communities and discussion platforms. It is crucial to have digital literacy to avoid being caught between fake content.

To conclude, we must be critical, careful and discerning with any information found on the web. Always practice online safety and be a responsible user.

This checklist will help assess the credibility of online sources.

(Stevens, 2016)

A quote to end off my post:

“Error never shows itself in its naked reality, in order not to be discovered. On the contrary, it dresses elegantly, so that the unwary may be led to believe that it is more truthful than truth itself.” ~ St. Irenaeus of Lyon

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References

Dutton, W, H., (2017). The Conversation. Fake news, echo chambers and filter bubbles: Underresearched and overhyped.

Frampton, B., (2015). BBC News. Clickbait: The changing face of online journalism.

IFLA., (2017). How to Spot Fake News.

Jameel, S., (2016). Zesty Things.Infographic: The Echo Chamber Effect.

Kirschenbaum, M., (2016). EasyBib. Identifying Fake News: An Infographic and Educator Resources.

Leetaru, K., (2016). Forbes. How Data And Information Literacy Could End Fake News.

Okyle, C., (2016) Entrepreneur. Are You Living in a Digital Bubble? This Flowchart Will Tell You. (Infographic).

Stevens, J., (2016). Hosting Facts. The Complete Guide to Evaluating Online Resources.

The University of Edinburgh., (2017). How to evaluate website content.

University of Maryland University College., (2017). Evaluating Sources.

Walsh, K., (2012). EmergingEdTech. The Importance of Source Evaluation and Content Credibility Skills for Today’s Students.

My Digital Journey Thus Far…

My learning journey thus far has allowed me to gain deeper insights into the various forms of digital differences and the impact digitization has on our lives today. We live in a new-age of high-tech, high-touch with gizmos and gadgets to help simplify while enriching our lives. This fast pace of technological changes present both opportunities and obstacles towards adaptation of digital activities.

Stella mentioned about the “Internet of Things” becoming the next step in internet evolution and most of us can see the transformation happening. We look forward with guarded excitement not knowing if these benefits will outweigh the social, personal and economic disruptions to us.

(Intel, 2017)

We can categorize people based on their digital differences, their preferences and degree of interaction with the web.  It made me reflect upon my own interaction and how much internet access has changed the way I spend my time.

(Self-Produced: My Digital Experience, Via Canva)

(Self-Produced: My Personal Learning Network, Via FutureLearn)

While factors such as education, age, social-economic status do influence digital differences, I believe that internet usage is also based on needs and lifestyle of the individual. A person may have access to internet and possess the knowledge, yet may only be a digital visitor, accessing on a need-to basis. Even though we have easy and quick access to information from the web; I agree with Alicia that acquiring knowledge, be it online or offline, depends highly on one’s curiosity and motivation.

Through my dialogue with Gladys, we discussed if it was better to have total freedom of information or filtered and controlled information that some countries impose on their citizens. Internet Censorship is still a major factor experienced by many.

(WhoIsHostingThis, 2017)

The Self-Test I took was a low average rating of 2/5 on my digital literacy. I will put to practice what I have learnt so far to achieve better ratings in the relevant components.

(Start of Module Self-Test Ratings)

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References

Intel, (2017). A Guide to the Internet of Things

WhoIsHostingThis, (2017). Internet Censorship World Map

 

My Comments

Gladys Lee

Yvonne Chia

 

 

Digital Differences: Why is it different for different users?

Digitisation is a global phenomenon that has been constantly shaping the world. Currently, there are over 3.8 billion internet users representing roughly 51% of total population in the world with a quarterly growth rate of 0.2%.

(wearesocial, 2017)

(wearesocial, 2017)

What about the other 49% who are not “connected”? Let’s talk about Digital Differences.

There are numerous reasons for these differences such as demographic, social-economic and the stage of a country’s development. (Zickuhr and Smith, 2012). The government plays an important part in the development of the digital age. In Singapore, for instance, the tiny island is all “wired up”, and the inter-connectivity exists in most places. In some other countries, the government may prohibit their citizens from accessing foreign social media platforms. These digital inequalities impact people, who are not able to gain access to the internet even if they wanted to. On the other hand, there are individuals who have the access but do not know how to use it or see the value and motivation behind it.

For myself, I feel privileged to live in Singapore, having the freedom to use internet for various purposes. As a student, I find it useful as a source of information and learning as facts and figures are easily accessible. Having internet access at home has enhanced my learning journey. Not just for school work, but to widen my knowledge in areas of personal interest such as art and music. Socially, I can keep in touch with my school friends, making communication so much easier.

Here are some fun-facts on the digital usage in Singapore!

(TheNewPaper, 2017)

In my view, everyone should be given the opportunity to gain access to the internet, regardless of digital differences. While the access is there, a lot depends on the individual’s learning preferences and how it can be catered to suit their needs.

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References

Zickuhr, K., and Smith, A., (2012). Digital differences

Kemp,S., (2017). Digital in 2017: Global Overview

The New Paper, (2017). Singapore residents rank third globally in social media usage

 

Digital Resident or Digital Visitor? Which am I?

Technology has become part and parcel of our daily activities. It is now the main platform where we learn, communicate, gather knowledge and form valuable insights. Are you aware of the terms “Digital Resident” and “Digital Visitor”? Which do you think describes you best? Read on to find out more:

What is a Digital Resident?

A digital resident uses the internet to connect or be with other people. As such, their identity is exhibited by their online presence and they “live online”. This type of person might well default to going online or using the internet for something even if they don’t have a specific task in mind.

(Wilson, C., 2017)

What is a Digital Visitor?

A digital visitor is someone who uses the digital technology and the internet for a specific task. Such as searching for the answer to a question, or uploading a video. In this sense, they are visiting the internet to do a task and then leave.

(Wilson, C., 2017)

From my self-evaluation with reference to these definitions above, I would classify myself more towards a digital visitor. Although I occasionally use email and social media to communicate with others, this does not form the main bulk of my time spent on the internet. I browse more instead of contributing and participating in social interactions on the internet. This tells me that I use the internet more as a source of information and entertainment rather than as an extension of my own identity.

My Online Presence is reflected in the following map:

Overall, the concept of Digital Residents and Visitors will allow us to better understand and position ourselves based on our own online preferences and usage. Mapping our internet activities as shown in the infographic above is one way of knowing how our time is spent digitally.

Word Count: 300

References

White, D. S., & Cornu, A. L., (2011). Visitors and Residents: A new typology for online engagement. First Monday, 16(9).

Wilson, C., (2017). Are You a Digital Visitor or Digital Resident?