Week 1 - Reflection #1 Making Connections in a Digital Environment

 

image from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwlSTpexybBp2reK68xyihtwh5kYg5mwvFdiZE0xCrfoP7uGX3s_KhDuAjh_0DeK_SQxObZje6H53Dls1JZUsrxRwIAt0GayLwsKNOqcpF13gkoYedxyRuGTJIOwnxcf8WNtH3A5cBYDY/s1600/digital+footprint.png

Do you want a digital footprint?

I think that digital footprints are extremely essential to modern-day connections. When I think of my own digital footprint, I sometimes get scared of the sheer size of the impact. The definition of a digital footprint, according to Webopedia is "trail, traces or 'footprints' that people leave online". My digital footprint is enormous, I started out on MSN messenger and a Microsoft email account, which I've used to subscribe to Neopets as a kid, and chat rooms, and subscriptions, Facebook, Pinterest, and countless number of websites. And those are just the tip of the iceberg. Thinking back, I probably didn't need to sign up on that JustFab website just to look at things I wouldn't actually buy, or I could have just picked up the phone and ordered a pizza instead of ordering online. However, I think it's extremely convenient to have those online accounts to manage my time and resources rather than having to re-input my information every time.

However I do fear for my safety when it comes to online fraud and identity theft, I am usually very good at identifying what is spam or counterfeit and what is valid and reliable. I think if one takes the necessary precautions when making an account with a company, such as changing the privacy settings on Facebook, or using fake information on online dating sites. In conclusion, I do want a digital footprint because it helps create my online identity and create opportunities.

What is a positive digital footprint?

The general rule of thumb with the Internet is that "once it's online, it's there forever". Many people forget or don't understand that just because you look professional and polite on LinkedIn, it doesn't mean that employers can't trace your information back to Twitter or Facebook and see how you participate when you don't think someone important is watching. A positive digital footprint, in my opinion, is the collective information about yourself and what you do online that you can take to your future dream job and say "this is who I am, and this is what I do", and you can still feel confident that you'll get that job.

What strategies will you use to maintain a positive digital footprint?

Dodie Ainslie gave some really good recommendations for monitoring your digital footprint. The first I want to try is:

http://dab1nmslvvntp.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/google-alerts.jpg

 
Ainslie explains Google alerts as "[e]very time your name is used online you will get an alert posted to your RSS feed in Google reader." I think this will be interesting to see how many times someone researches me on Facebook or Youtube. Since I am relatively happy with what I have posted online, I don't fear people researching me and getting to know more about me.

I think the easiest way to maintain a positive digital footprint, is to have good netiquette self-monitor what you post online. People can get caught up in the emotion of other people's opinions and what others say, and use that emotion to immediately start flaming, which can turn into flame wars.

What is the relationship between Netiquette and a positive digital footprint?

As I mentioned before, having proper netiquette leaves a positive digital footprint because you're respecting the other online users and appreciating their time and feedback. Many times people forget that their words or posts are being read by several other people with thoughts, emotions, and feelings. When we forget that our posts can affect others, we don't appreciate them, and start treating it as a public diary. That's not to say that people can't post opinions or start debates online. That's actually what web 2.0 is about, about creating a community based on similar and differing ideas, and expanding our knowledge about others. But there is a line that can be crossed, and I think that line is when someone starts posting about the other person's capabilities and personal attributes, rather than their ideas or opinions.

What is the connection between the knowledge needed to be a Digital Citizen and the digital footprint?

What have you learned about digital learning and digital citizenship? What do you need to learn?

I think that digital learning has come very far and people understand what others are trying to portray with ease. MANY PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS WHEN SOMEONE POSTS WITH CAPITAL LETTERS. It can show that a person can be excited, shouting, or is really trying to get their point across. The use of emojis and capital letters help explain how the writer is feeling about the content of the post and most users can easily understand the meaning behind the words. However, I understand that it can be very difficult for others to use online sources and social media contacts These "digital immigrants" may need additional help to learn and understanding from media users. Users that help these people along create a positive digital society and help build the foundations of an accepting online community.

I need to learn how to identify when I can be informal, and when I should use proper sentences and proper grammar online. Many times I find it difficult to know where/when it is appropriate to use slang and colloquial language, especially regarding sending emails. Therefore I'd like to focus on digital communication throughout the course.

Based on the results from the Digital Driver's License exam, what areas of digital citizenship will become your focus in your learning over the next few weeks of the course?

Although I managed a perfect score on the Digital Driver's License exam, the areas of digital citizenship that gave me pause were Digital Literacy and Digital Commerce.