• What does it mean to network using social media?

Networking online or offline is an everyday practice for most people even without thinking too much about it, especially since the appearance of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, just to mention a few. As educators, committed to lifelong learning, networking is a skill that one must develop in order to support personal growth and learning. Rajagopal et. al suggest that someone who “intentionally builds, maintains and activates … contacts within her personal network for the purpose of improving her learning — and uses technology to support this activity — is creating a personal learning network”. Through these Personal Learning Networks that are built and maintained with intentions in various levels, one can benefit not only personally but professionally as well while connecting, communicating and gaining knowledge from their network. While professional networking has many benefits, from supporting one’s growth of professional career to finding constant support when needed, for me the most significant advantage is that it “can also be used as a means to continuously support professionals’ life–long learning in practice “(Johnson, 2008). In my opinion, it can be extremely valuable to connect with professionals in the same career and listen to their experiences and perspectives especially at the beginning of one’s career.

• How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?

The advantages of networking online with other professionals are endless. Being able to connect with colleagues worldwide through online tools like Zoom and Teams eliminates the barriers of time and location, and makes communication, collaboration and therefore learning as a community less challenging. The support and experiences I am able to get as an educator through these opportunities have greatly impacted my career and professional growth thus I am motivated to connect with more colleagues through digital platforms and continue learning.

• What are the risks & rewards of public communications?

While networking through social media channels is becoming more common and convenient amongst professionals, one must be cautious about protecting their privacy. While personal social media accounts are meant to be personal; however, if privacy settings of these are not carefully set, one’s career can easily be on the line. Moreover, educators should cautiously consider which digital tools might jeopardize students’ privacy and which are aligned with the school district’s rules. 

• What is a digital identity?

I agree with Eric Stoller when he defines digital identity in his video as it being one’s presence online, and the way one uses digital tools. From social media posts and profiles to professional online portfolios, one must carefully choose what to share or not online as it can impact them personally and/or professionally in various ways. For example, even if you appear perfect and appealing to employers on your professional portfolio through LinkedIn but your personal social media sites are full of compromising posts and unprofessional pictures, employers will less likely consider you as a potential employee for that reason. On the other hand, being competent in using digital tools might be seen as an advantage in the employer’s eyes as it shows that you are invested in life-long learning and are able to keep up with new technology.

• How do personal versus professional approaches to digital identity affect social media use?

While I agree that using social media has its many advantages both for personal and professional use, I believe in controlled content. Social media posts and interactions represent you personally, and even when you present yourself professionally, they can affect your identity. It can be tempting at times to write posts on your personal website fuelled by impulse; however, these might threaten not only your career but your authenticity as well. Groups and communities on social media can be very powerful and they are proven to work together in order to protect their members. Despite this, some might fall into the trap of cyberbullying just by trying to connect and communicate.