VISITOR (V) – The main idea of being a visitor in the social media platform is using any technology to gather information or learn something and not leaving any social traces online. Its more like an individual comes online to use one of the tools available to perform a task and then goes back offline.

RESIDENT (R) – The main idea of being a resident in the social media platform is using social media as an important tool in their day-to-day life. For example, regularly contributing to different social media apps such as Instagram to share stories (personal or other), commenting on blog posts, using twitter and son on.

Shown below is my V+R map along with an explanation as how I am using each social media app.

Search – For university related studies and personal purposes

Gmail – For university and mostly personal purposes

Online Banking – Pay bills and money transfers

iCloud – Save images and download apps

SMS – Sending messages to close friends

Online shopping – Personal purposes but use only once a week to browse

Netflix – Watch movies and tv shows

WhatsApp – Communication with friends, co-workers, and fellow classmates

Instagram – Post pictures, share stories with friends and browse other posts

Blog – Sharing thoughts about various topics with EDCI 338 classmates

Google Docs – Used mainly to do schoolwork for example group activities and reports

Brightspace – All my courses and course information are posted there

UVIC webmail – Used to send emails to professors and share information with fellow students.

What digital platforms are students currently using to develop their professional network?

The digital platforms currently used by students use to develop their professional network would be WhatsApp where an individual can have a personal account where they could communicate with friends and family and business account to communicate with professionals. Also, another platform would be Gmail where an individual could create two email accounts one for work/business related purposes and other being personal so that emails from both parties would not get mixed up. LinkedIn is also another media where students use to communicate and make strong ties with the professionals.

 What could the student consider in expanding their professional learning network? How does data privacy and security limit and/or promote a PLN?

In expanding a students professional learning network, they could consider what personal information they should share with the party which they haven’t met face to face. Also, a student should be aware whether they could trust the company and would they be able to make strong ties with the organization in future (having common grounds). At first making strong ties with a organization would be difficult but with as times goes we could understand whether they are reliable so that they could make strong ties.

In your network, how can you create a digital identity/ reputation?

By choosing carefully what I want to share about my personal life with the public. For example, I would like to share my vacation with the public, but I would not share my banking information with anyone.

Consider how an employer would respond if you applied for a job with them and they assessed your social media presence via your digital identity.

If an employer was to assess my social media (Instagram) they could see my posts which are mostly taken during trips and some stories which includes birthday stories and outings. Everything would be very professional and nothing inappropriate and mainly no deep personal information is being shared in my Instagram.