Personal Learning Networks are defined as our foundation to support our life-long learning through individuals, platforms, various technological features (Rajagopal et al., 2012).
Digital identity is defined as an individual’s presence online, as well as how they share, interact and engage with other individuals online (Stoller, 2016). Furthermore, digital identity also takes into account how an individual uses social media for various purposes including for individual benefits, collaborating with peers, as well as for teaching (Stoller, 2016).
Social Media Networks
Over the past few decades, the increasing accessibility of social media networking has increased the frequency of interconnections between individuals across the globe. Moreover, our usage of social media networks has significantly changed the way we access, use, and exchange information. Social media networks have proudly impacted the way individuals connect with one another, through similar interests via sharing pages, images, messages, and hashtags, amongst the many other features available in social media networks.
As teachers and educators, social media platforms may enhance learning for students as they can lead to unique opportunities that may expand learning such as converse and share ideas regarding a specific topic on social media. Social media can play a beneficial fold in acquiring resources for leading and collaborating with colleagues. However, privacy on social media plays a critical role in our digital identity. Professional and personal uses of social media can critically impact our digital identity. Professionally, it may be beneficial to have a public account that allows the educator to engage with students and colleagues on social media. This may enhance learning for the student and provide the educator with an opportunity to connect with colleagues and discuss learning strategies and resources. In contrast, for personal social media use, it may be beneficial to have a private account as that can protect the content you share that you may intend to only viewed by family and friends. However, it is important to take into consideration that information shared on private accounts can be stored and accessed, such as if an individual is hacked. Therefore, if educators intend on using social media for personal uses it may be beneficial to be mindful of the content you share, or you can also use a pseudonym to make it harder to be tracked online and become hacked, which in and of itself can sometimes lead to detrimental consequences.
Using technological devices and media platforms can certainly help educators and learners by enhancing learning and increasing access to resources, however appropriate use of these platforms is necessary for expanding and protecting our digital identity.
References:
Stoller, Eric – What is Digital Identity? (2016, November 25). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0RryRbJza0
Rajagopal, K. (2012). Understanding personal learning networks: Their structure, content and the networking skills needed to optimally use them | First Monday. https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/3559/3131 University Of Illinois Libraries, doi:10.5210/fm.v17i1.3559
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