euwejun

My Digital Literacy Journey

The progressive learning of each topic really heightened my understanding of the digital era. Before we start, let’s refresh on what was covered so far shall we?

Before this, I thought that a beautifully crafted document-based CV (Curriculum Vitae) was all that is required for landing a job. Looking back, I realised how naive I was.

There is so much more to consider apart from the physical documents; recruiters look at our online profiles as well to get a clearer picture on how we portray ourselves. In the present day whether we like it or not; having a professional online profile has become essential for employees.

LinkedIn:

As mentioned in my blog, having an established LinkedIn account open up doors to new career opportunities and prospects. This totally changed my mindset of it being redundant and that being said, I proceeded to developing my LinkedIn account from scratch.

Other than adding crucial information about myself, I also followed companies of interest to receive current updates so that I can keep myself in the loop.

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Twitter:

To ensure my personal content is viewed by the right audience, I separated my twitter account for personal and professional usage. I privatised my personal twitter account and opened my professional for the public’s viewing. That being said, I steer clear from posting content that may tarnish my reputation on both accounts to maintain a certain level of consistency.

For my professional account, it will be another platform to connect with organisations and create networks with like-minded individuals.

Below is a following of accounts built around my interests:

Facebook:

I chose to revamp my Facebook account; professionalising my personal account by adding in key personal information and changing the privacy settings to suit my needs for different audiences. This function allows me to combine two accounts into one, without all the hassle.

This means that I will not have restrictions regarding sharing content with my friends because I am able to choose what can be shown to the public. Revealing bits and pieces of my life also aids in making my profile more authentic to the public’s viewing.

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Consistency is key

To ensure professionalism on my social media accounts, I standardised my profile pictures and headers across all platforms to give a clear and concise representation of who I am.

This is the profile picture and header name I adopted across all platforms:

display-picture

Self-Assessment:

To show how much I have grown over the span of this module, I created a Prezi to rate and show my understanding on these questions.

Accessing, managing and evaluating online information

Participating in online communities

Building online networks around an area of interest

Collaborating with others

Creating online materials (text, audio, images, video)

Managing your online identity

Managing your online privacy and security

https://prezi.com/embed/diqnkead5ag9/?bgcolor=ffffff&lock_to_path=0&autoplay=0&autohide_ctrls=0&landing_data=bHVZZmNaNDBIWnNjdEVENDRhZDFNZGNIUE43MHdLNWpsdFJLb2ZHanI0U21PUnJ5YzNhUHNNRitwQ3Z5MWR3RjBRPT0&landing_sign=rh4bROvnaZG0BR5nBH8xP2ipWDhS4Q2oQBPPA0aVmac

Conclusion:

Building an established online profile is no mean feat and it definitely doesn’t stop here. As I acquire more qualifications, I will continuously add to my online portfolio so that it will compile and work my way towards an established digital identity.

Word count: 515

References:

Prezi Link: http://prezi.com/diqnkead5ag9/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

Reflection: Free Access Content, the Good & Bad

Topic 5

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=L5rVH1KGBCY

Progressively as I explore this topic on Open Access Content (OA), I came to realise that most of us have been taking information found online for granted. Being able to access research articles at no cost benefits many, and especially a blessing for developing countries in elevating their scientific knowledge.

According to Beatrice, publishing OA articles does wonders for the content producers as well. By making it visible and accessible, the article will reach out to a broader audience pool and in turn greater readership. With this acting as publicity, they will gain prestige.

However, not one scheme is perfect and OA does have its drawbacks. The main issue is sustenance as the publishing costs are paid for by the content producers and they receive zero compensation. One possible solution is CrowdFunding, as stated by Xin Lin where the project cost is divided and funded by interest parties. As the saying goes: Insurmountable for one, but achievable for many.

Another possibility brought up by Maureen is having some content made available to the public and an upgrade has to be bought; where other articles are made accessible only when paid for. Klarissa coined this system as Freemium. The drawback on OA other than publishing costs is the possibility of having the research paper undervalued just because it is free. By revealing some content, viewers will only purchase if they deem it’s an article of substance. Hence, Freemium also brings some worth to the research article in this sense.

To conclude, whether Open access content is good or bad is an open debate. Free sharing of information can bring unprecedented good in the aspects of education and healthcare. As long as it is sustained by proper measures as mentioned above, I’m sure more people will be open to the concept.

Word Count: 299

Blogs I commented on:

XinLin

Beatrice

Pros and cons of Free Access content

Topic 5

As the world embarks into the age of Digitization, technology is built into every part of our lives; bringing convenience and efficiency. Content is now readily accessible for the masses with the introduction of Open Access resource.

This Piktochart summarizes my main points:

new-piktochart_18130974_cb59681c43df2c84754641f66b0986d3b41bbb9c — Done by me

Advantages:

Free-for-all (Education)

For the first time in human history, people can attain all the education they desire (1) Articles are freely available for anyone who has the interest to read them. Well-written articles are no longer restricted by payment, enabling even undeserved populations to access them. (2) Everyone craves knowledge and when given equal opportunities, people will strive to educate themselves; greatly improving the education standards.

Access for researchers in developing countries (Healthcare)

Poverty is a major cause of ill health and a barrier to necessary healthcare research. (3) Lack of access to subscription-based resources has always plagued researchers in low-income countries. Open access provides the opportunity for them to participate in international research communities where medicines and cures are shared. (4) The exchange of information would alleviate the scientific knowledge gap so better healthcare services can be made available even for developing countries. (5)

Disadvantages:

Publication fees (Sustainability)

While the end user doesn’t have to pay to read an open access article, someone will still incur the publishing costs. The cost for publishing is steep and it is often the responsibility of the author or sponsors to make payment. On ELSEVIER, the price can range from $500 to $5000 and this makes me question the sustainability of this system. When not adequately compensated, publishers may be discouraged from going open access.

Quality Control

While not for reputable publishers, there are still cases where some open access journals are sloppy work. Journals cover their cost through publication and publishers may be incentivised to publish more, jeopardising the overall quality. Research shows that over 50% of the 304 journals accepted a Deliberately-fabricated article and did not conduct peer reviews. (6)

After accessing the pros and cons, the debate is obvious; a trade-off between accessibility and cost. The solution is to have a monitored Paywall which many companies are already adopting. (7) So long as publishers closely monitor the quality and usability of the resources, people will pay for the content they need. (8) As the saying goes: “There is no free meal in the world” and this would balance out the costs against benefits wrought.

(Word count: 399)

References:

Reflection: Ethical use of social media

Topic 4

The social media boom brought about many opportunities for growth. Such that it has become a key platform for both businesses and consumers to connect on a deeper level. But at the same time, it brought up many unprecedented ethical issues with more businesses adopting it into their operations. This trend is the result of imbalance between maximising profits and doing the right thing.

From Leila’s post, she touched on the issue of privacy such that companies utilise customer databases to channel marketing efforts without the customer’s knowledge. This adds exceptional convenience and customisation in the service but if not vigilant, the consumer may feel that their privacy is breached.Companies have no wrong in wanting to earn profits but in this case there’s a thin line between profits and committing an offence of intrusion. (1)

tool-for-recruitment — Source: Recruitment Tool

Similarly in Joletta’s post, the issue of privacy is emphasised upon but in the recruitment context. Social media has evolved to become a tool for recruiters to perform background research. Privacy is stepped upon when suitability of applicants are no longer based solely on qualifications but also how they act in their personal life. It is premature to do so because recruiters are making the decision to hire based on the own perception they created.

Based on the comments received, I realised that AstroTurfing can be unintended. Reason being the use of social media for business is still a new trend and only gained popularity in recent years. There are many grey areas to iron out and with reference to Theresa’s post, the result is businesses may unintentionally fabricate information in their social media publicity.

To conclude, social media can be a double-edged sword with so many yet to be uncovered uses to explore. It is important for businesses to balance between profits and ethics to ensure just business proceedings.

(Word count: 310)

Blogs I commented on:
Lelia
Joletta

References:

Federal Trade Commision Act, Avaliable at: https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/statutes/federal-trade-commission-act/ftc_act_incorporatingus_safe_web_act.pdf

(Un)Ethical use of social media in business

Topic 4

With the advancement of technology, social media is becoming indispensable as it is slowly incorporated into our daily lives. As a result many unseen ethical issues start to surface.

ethical-definition — Source: https://www.reference.com/world-view/ethical-issue-f1d5bd587b50cdbf#

With social media gaining mass popularity, the right usage would create an abundance of business opportunities as well as increase brand loyalty and recognition. (1) It is no wonder that businesses would focus their marketing efforts in the area.

I will be discussing the ethical issue on info fabrication by businesses, emerged from the emphasis on social media. Companies may purposely distort revealed information so as to increase market value or to gain a competitive edge.

lie-quotes-how-to-lie-with-statistics — Source: http://www.truthliesdeceptioncoverups.info/2013/05/spotting-spin-some-tricks-of-trade.html

Companies may do so through unreported endorsements by seeking out individuals with resounding social media profiles and pay them to do publicity for the brand. With the influence a social media celebrity can bring to the people, a simple positive recommendation may create wonders to a firm’s market value.

However on occasions when called for, firms may decide not to disclose that it is an endorsement so as to make it a “real” success story. It builds a closer relation with their customers but may be hard for consumers to swallow after the truth is uncovered. A good example would be Walmart where customers feel cheated after realising the travelling blog is sponsored for.

Reflection: Developing one’s digital profile

Topic 3

From this module, I grow to realise the effects of technology and the pronounced impact it has on us. We came to understand that seemingly harmless online content can jeopardize or elevate our lives and that having a reputable digital profile is of utmost importance for our career path. After reading the blogs of peers and course content, we begin to explore the dos and don’ts in creating a digital profile.

From Kaye’s post, she draws relation between social media and getting your dream job. She talks about the versatility of social media such as Instagram to not only post personal memories, but also as a platform to showcase one’s talents. This will come in handy when future employers access my social media to determine if they want to hire me. Personally I have such an experience where food lovers started to follow my Instagram after I started posting my French cooking. This may very well improve my chances of getting a culinary job.

According to Jef, one should really consider what to be posted online for the viewing of others. He made a point to say that quality trumps over quantity. By being selective and only posting relevant content to the job I’m looking for, it will help to create a profile that shows more professionalism.

In rebuttal to my post, she also commented that even though social media is taking over the traditional recruitment practices, it may not be as efficient as it seems. It takes effort from both employer and applicant for E-recruitment to be successful as information has to be concise and clear. If not, the information gathered may be irrelevant and does not help in recruitment.

There is many methods to craft one’s digital profile but the most important point to be true to oneself. (300 words)

Blogs i commented on:
Kaye
Jef

Developing your own authentic digital profile

Topic 3

There has always been the argument that validating an applicant’s suitability based on their social media is obtrusive. (1) However in this present-day where the use of the internet and social media is becoming more transparent, it is no wonder having an outstanding digital profile is so important. A shocking number of employers, 73% has hired a candidate through the social media.

With 93% of them reviewing the applicant’s social profile before making the final hiring decision. (2) From these numbers, it can be said that the traditional paper resume and CVs is no longer sufficient but also being able to showcase ourselves professionally on the web is crucial.

So how can we do this?

Be true to yourself

Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-real-you-need-remove-your-mask-warren-frehse

A person’s individuality is what sets them apart from the rest. No one in the world is exactly like another and that makes them one-of-a-kind. Being true to one’s character and what they are capable of is actually the most important part of their digital profile. People have a tendency to imitate their traits or build a fake persona, but this only makes it harder to gain the trust of others since it will be unnatural. (3) One’s digital profile should be their clearest reflection because people choose to work with others because of who they are.

Avoid content that brings a negative impact

To create a desirable online profile, one has to steer clear of negative content that would undermine their reputation. You may be cautious in whatever you post but even a simple photo tagged by friends can impact your face value. With social media becoming more widely used, the lines are starting to blur between personal and public.

This is what NOT to post (Source: http://thewondrous.com/funn-pictures-of-drunk-people/)

Imagine a boss seeing such a picture of his employee after a night of drinking, I’m certain it would create an unforgettable impression.

Consistency in efforts

Rome wasn’t built in a day and so is trust. To develop a trustworthy online profile, consistency is key. Creating a presentable online profile is just the first step, maintenance is where it all matters. I have to admit that for my personal LinkedIn account, after the creation of my profile; updating it is the last thing on my mind. Other than the routine update of achievements, continuous efforts in sharing articles, engaging in network discussions and participating in events also play a part. (4) These efforts would accumulate to build a profile that portrays genuine passion and character.

Grasping these points will enable you to build a robust digital profile while remaining true to yourself.

Reference:

Reflection on Topic 2: Online Identity

Topic 2

Image result for multiple identities

So what did I take away from this topic: online identities?

The pros and cons about having more than one online identity.
The relativity of having online identities to everyone as they can easily incorporate their personal experiences to the content.

Before being introduced to this topic, I never knew that my use of social platforms such as Instagram and Facebook is akin to creating multiple online identities. I have never spent much thought on this but after self-research and cross reading of blogs, I gained a much deeper understanding on the term online identity.

After reading Klarissa’s blog, I realised that anonymity also has the offset of encouraging cyber-bullying. Anonymous users wouldn’t need to fear being apprehended for posting insulting comments because they can switch between identities easily. According to Costa and Torres (2011), people can easily accessible photo and document sharing services, connecting them more than ever but this also makes them more vulnerable.

Image result for online identity theft

From Angeline’s post, I can see that she supports having multiple online identities. She came up with a strong point saying that 60% of employers actually use social networks as a screening tool. Personally the last thing I would wish for is for my future employers to deem me unsuitable for the job because of a picture from my private life. There’s a quote in her post: “Different sites, different audience, different purposes” and this perfectly describes that situation where the user should only divulge selected information to selected audiences.

To sum it up, I now have a greater insight on what online identities actually represent. Having one or many online identities is not really the issue but rather how it is used that determines the good or bad. If everyone uses the web with integrity, many issues would naturally be resolved. (300 words)

Blogs I commented on:

Klarissa’s blog:

Angeline’s blog:

References:

Costa and toress (2011) To be or not to be, the importance of Digital Identity in the networked society, avaliable at: http://eft.educom.pt/index.php/eft/article/view/216/126

What is your online identity?

Topic 2

Before delving into the discussion, the meaning of having an online identity must first be ascertained. So what is that? picture-1

The sum of characteristics and interactions from each website the user visited, known as partial identities and this collective perception makes up their online identity. (1)

It is vastly different from the actual identity of the person because the sum of partial identities doesn’t accurately represent the true nature of a person.

One motivation for having multiple online identities is anonymity. The internet is a platform where information is shared freely, with entities interested in the user’s personal information; identity, web surfing usage and so on. (2) Having more than one online identity allows the user to surf at ease, offering protection against those with malicious intent such as hackers, businesses and even government agencies.

Picture 2.jpg — Source: (The daily sheeple, 2015)

People can also express themselves without fear of discrimination. Meaning that gender bias, racism, disabilities, sexual orientation will be all out of the window. Presently, there’s still places where minority groups are shunned and treated with contempt. Being anonymous grants a person in the minority group the freedom of speech which they may never have gotten in real life.

Another advantage is that users can separate work from play. It is apparent for most and something I am guilty for. On social platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, pictures capturing bit and pieces of my personal life are posted for the sharing and viewing of people. These memories although beautiful is not something I would wish to show my employers.

On my LinkedIn account, personal particulars along with work history and qualifications are clearly stated for viewing. It delivers the necessary information and an air of professionalism to my employer.

Picture 3.jpg Despite the perks, the drawback for having multiple online identities is the issue of authenticity. For instance, an employer would conduct research to know more about the person he is going to employ. Imagine his dismay if he were to find multiple online identities from the same person, not knowing which to believe. (3) As the saying goes, too much of too many is never a good thing.

In conclusion, it is still up to the context on how a user’s online identity is viewed. The safest bet is no matter which platform, only deliver information that is safe for viewing and won’t jeopardise one’s reputation. (400 words)

References:

Internet Society (2015), Understanding your Online Identity: An Overview of Identity, Available at: http://www.opus1.com/www/whitepapers/identity-overview1.pdf
Cactus VPN (no date), what is Online Identity and why you should care? Available at: https://www.cactusvpn.com/beginners-guide-to-vpn/online-identity/
K (2012), online identity: is authenticity or anonymity more important? Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/apr/19/online-identity-authenticity-anonymity
Jeff. J (2011) One identity or more? Available at: http://buzzmachine.com/2011/03/08/one-identity-or-more/

Reflection on Topic 1

Topic 1

Reflection on concept: what did I learn?

1. The segmentation of the two categories on digital marketing
2. Everyone reached an understanding by explaining the terms using personal opinions

This post will be my reflection on the knowledge I acquired about topic 1: Digital residents and visitors. I gained an insight from the links provided and also cross studying the blogs written by my peers.

From all the blogs that I read, I realized that everyone understood the concepts and is capable of applying their own insight. Everyone has their own unique method of conveying their thoughts and it’s gives me views from many perspectives.

From Karise’s post, she explained the concepts based on her personal experiences, drawing linkages from her parents technological expertise with a touch of humor. Resulting in a highly relatable post and the comical vibe makes it a joy to read.

Zaidan’s post is based on his general knowledge of current happenings. He draws on his understanding of the concept and applies real-life examples to state his point. This makes it factual and comprehensive, and highly informative.

From the comments I received, it is said that my content is comprehensive and easily understood. However, I learnt that alignment of my post also comes into play as Zaidan stated that highlighting the points can help in readability.

In summary, this method of learning is something fresh. Individual research and we all learn by cross studying and commenting on the posts of others. It helps us learn things from more perspectives and creates a platform for healthy discussion.

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