Today I reflected on the type of digital specialist that I am. I created a stick figure of myself and surrounded words that I believe represent me as a digital specialist. What I mean by digital specialist is one whom knows the digital world! I am sure many of you use Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram on a regular - if not daily - basis. Since we are all so familiar with using social media and technology in our daily lives, we have evolved to what I like to call us - digital specialists.
Some of my words included: creative, expressive, collector, controlled, monitored, engaging, leadership, bragger (yes, everyone is guilty of showing off their latest vacation photo in a different part of the world!), etc. these words link to the type of digital specialist that I am while using technology, but also who I am in person - there really is no difference! However, the concept of digital literacy and digital citizenship have differences to which how the digital specialist should behave, think, act, post, like, share, etc. on the internet.
Digital literacy is the process of actually using the internet. Let’s start with social media for example. On Instagram we are creating our images (filters, tagging friends), writing our captions to grasp attention and illustrate a message to viewers, decorate our captions with emoticons, post and anxiously wait for an audience to approve our photos with a simple like. We are creating, implementing, portraying, communicating, and involving ourselves in digital literacy. We are active participants in social media.
Digital citizenship, on the other hand, involves responsibility. We are responsible for our reputation, our message, what we promote, what we express, etc. on social media. As future teachers, we have the role of setting an example for others. Digital citizenship is what helps us stay grounded and understand that we are leaving a footprint in the digital word (that we may never see!).
mp
Hey Marissa,
ReplyDeleteAwesome blog! You really expressed your online self through your post's. I can tell how passionate you are about teaching and education. After last class I was left a little confused about digital literacy and digital self. However, after reading your recent post and the example you gave about how we portray and create ourselves on Instagram, you cleared things up for me about how we are participants in the online world.
My question for you is how do you stay grounded in the crazy social media world that we live in, and if you have any tips for being safe and professional online?
Jess :)
Hi Jess,
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting! I really like your question. I think as aspiring teachers, we have an important role to play in the classroom, community and online (no pressure!). I think the best way I go about things on social media and online is I think to myself, "what would my boss think?", "is this how I want my students to portray me as?", "would I hire me?!" I think that last question is the most important. Consider what you would think if you saw your own profile and consider if you would hire yourself.
I think by asking myself those questions would help me stay grounded on social media and how to be safe and professional online.
- mp.