Hello everyone!

Thank you all for your work over the last weeks of the course. I hope the readings on Personal Learning Networks gave you a solid foundation and general understanding of how to cultivate and leverage these networks to enhance your learning and professional growth.

This week we will learn more about digital identity. Digital identity refers to the online representation of an individual, shaped by the information they share and the interactions they have on digital platforms. This includes social media profiles, email addresses, usernames, and the content they post or engage with. Your digital identity can impact how others perceive you, and it’s crucial to be mindful of what you share and how it reflects on your personal and professional life. As more employers and institutions turn to the internet to learn about candidates, your digital identity has become an extension of your real-world reputation.

As a student, building a positive digital identity is important as it can affect your future career prospects. Engaging thoughtfully in online discussions, showcasing your skills, and contributing positively to communities can help you create a strong digital identity that aligns with your personal and academic goals.

We will learn more about the subject by reviewing this week’s readings.  Please consider the following questions while while reading through this week’s materials.

  • What is a digital identity?
  • How do personal versus professional approaches to digital identity affect social media use?
  • How do digital identities converge in networked publics – what are the impacts and/or benefits?
  • How do these concepts apply to your own learning experiences?

Reading for Week Three

Digital professional identity: Dear Internet! Who am I?

Identity Making and Social Media

Surveillance and Society

For this week, please add at least three annotations to the “Identity making and Social Media”.

You might annotate something that you would like to discuss more thoroughly, have questions about, or something you strongly agree or disagree with. You can also reply to the annotations your peers make, engaging in discussion as needed.

More information on how to sign up for a Hypothesis account can be found here. Please message me on Mattermost if you have any questions about it.

Each week, I appreciate you completing the annotations by the Tuesday.

Following the discussion of the week, there are two videos that deepen our understanding of the subject.

Our digital identities matter and we are lifelong learners with digital channels. In this video, Eric Stoller discussed how social media create pathways for learning, teaching, and engagement and how this can affect our digital identity.

Eric Stoller – What is Digital Identity?

The Value of Digital Identity for the Global Economy and Society (optional)

As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Mattermost is the quickest way!