As we enter our second module of the course, I appreciate all the participation, questions, and engagement with our course tasks, activities, and readings. New course topics and tasks will be published on this site for each module. This is a friendly reminder that all of the module tasks must be completed by the end date of the module. If you have any questions about this, please let me know through Mattermost (@joshhotchin).

Here is the schedule for each module: 

  • Module 1: July 3rd – July 15th (2 weeks)
  • Module 2: July 16th – July 22nd (1 week)
  • Module 3: July 23rd – July 29th (1 week)
  • Module 4: July 30th – August 5th (1 week)
  • Module 5: August 6th – August 12th (1 week)
  • Module 6: August 13th – August 20th (1 week)

As of today, you should have completed setting up your blog, contributed to it with your first blog post, signed up for PodGroups, and completed the learning pathways survey.

Reminder: Your Social Media Platform Comparison assignment (this assignment is completed in your PodGroups) is due on Thursday, July 31st at 11:59 p.m. Please ensure that you connect with your PodGroup members quickly and efficiently, as I can provide more support sooner rather than later.

This is a friendly reminder that we have our weekly class on Wednesdays from 6:30–7:50 p.m. via Zoom. The Zoom URL for our classroom is on Brightspace. I will also be available on Zoom each Wednesday from 5:30–6:30 p.m. (an hour before class) for optional drop-in office hours. This is a chance to ask questions, get support, or check in. If this time doesn’t work for you, you are always welcome to book a meeting, phone call, or text with me throughout the semester.

I am more than happy to support you in your learning throughout this course. Please email me if you have any questions or comments or need help completing any of the module activities.

Module Two Topics

Digital Identity: Personal vs. Professional

Digital identity is how you represent yourself online, but it’s helpful to think about it in two ways: personal and professional. Your personal digital identity includes the content and interactions tied to your social life, like posts shared with friends or family, hobbies, or entertainment. Your professional digital identity, on the other hand, is created and built for work or career purposes, like professional profiles, portfolios, or contributions to different learning communities. Understanding the difference helps you maintain boundaries and ensure your online presence aligns with your personal and career goals, preserving both privacy and professionalism.

Theories of Personalized Learning

Theories of personalized learning focus on adapting education to fit individual needs, learning styles, and interests. These theories are built on the idea that each student learns best when their unique strengths and challenges are considered. Common theories include Constructivist Learning, which suggests students build knowledge through experiences, and Self-Directed Learning, which emphasizes learner autonomy and goal-setting. These theories support flexible, student-centered approaches, allowing learners to be more engaged and empowered in their educational journeys.

Privacy and Surveillance in Digital Spaces

Privacy and surveillance in digital spaces refer to the protection of personal information online and the ways in which data is monitored or tracked. In today’s digital world, much of our activity is tracked by websites, apps, and devices, often for advertising or security purposes. Knowing how data is collected and used helps you make informed choices about the information you share and stay aware of potential privacy risks. Practicing digital privacy means adjusting settings, using secure platforms, and understanding how your information is being monitored and shared.

Digital Footprint Awareness

Your digital footprint is the trail of data you leave behind each time you use the internet—whether it’s a social media post, a website visit, or an online purchase. Being aware of your digital footprint means understanding how these activities can shape your online identity and impact your reputation. Practicing good digital habits, like thinking carefully before posting and managing privacy settings, helps keep your footprint positive and limits long-term consequences, as it’s often challenging to completely erase information from the internet.

Data Security and Ethical Data Use

Data security is about protecting personal information from unauthorized access, while ethical data use involves treating data responsibly and respectfully. Keeping data secure means using strong passwords, avoiding suspicious links, and understanding how data is stored and shared. Ethical data use focuses on handling others’ information with integrity, ensuring it’s used appropriately and transparently. By practicing both, you can protect sensitive information and contribute to a safe, respectful digital environment for everyone.

Digital Professionalism

Digital professionalism refers to presenting yourself respectfully and reliably online, especially in professional or academic contexts. This includes using appropriate language, managing your digital identity with care, and interacting with others in a positive, responsible way. Being digitally professional means recognizing that your online actions can affect your reputation and career opportunities. Practicing digital professionalism helps build a trustworthy, capable online image and ensures that your interactions and content align with your career goals and values.

Readings/Videos/Podcasts

Before you complete your tasks for this module, you will need to read/watch/listen to the following resources:

Tasks/Activities: You are expected to complete all the tasks below by July 22nd (unless otherwise specified).

Review this list of others’ blogs. Visit 5 other students’ blog sites and observe what they are writing about in their blog posts and their journey so far in EDCI 338. You may see things that you want to incorporate into your blog writing, and I’d like you to continue to work on including multimedia in your blogs. These can consist of photos, videos, podcasts, etc. Demonstrating your learning, understanding, and knowledge can come in various forms – not just written work!10-15 minutes (approximately) 
Review the criteria and rubric for the Social Media Platform Comparison assignment.10 minutes (approximately)
Everyone should have signed up for a Pod Group in this document. Please look at this document and start communicating with your group members. You can choose how you communicate (Email, Facebook Messenger, Mattermost, etc.).

– If you already know each other, that’s fantastic! Please message each other and connect regarding the Social Media Platform Comparison assignment this week. 

– If you haven’t met, that’s fantastic as well! I would like you to send an email introducing yourself and your preferred method of communication (email, Facebook, text, etc.). If there are any problems connecting with group members or others who are not doing their tasks, please let me know ASAP. 
Meet with your Pod Group over Zoom (or another video conferencing tool) to discuss the next steps in the Social Media Platform Comparison assignment.Depends…(I would recommend at least an hour meeting) 
Blog Post #2: In this module, we’ve learned about the concepts of digital identity, visitor and residential maps, theories of personalized learning, privacy, surveillance, and digital footprint awareness. For your second blog post, consider the following aspects and topics:

– Digital Identity: Personal vs. Professional: Digital identity reflects how you present yourself online, both personally and professionally. How do you differentiate between personal and professional digital identities? Consider what steps you take to maintain boundaries and ensure your online presence aligns with your personal and career goals. Why is it important to keep these aspects separate?
– Digital Visitor and Resident Map: Reflect on the concept of “Digital Visitors” and “Digital Residents” from the provided resources. Create your own digital map that illustrates where you consider yourself a visitor or a resident online. How does this map shape your understanding of your digital identity? In what ways do you think this map might change over time, and how might these shifts impact your online interactions?
– Theories of Personalized Learning: Theories of personalized learning, like Constructivist and Self-Directed Learning, emphasize adapting education to meet individual needs and interests. How do you see these theories influencing your learning experience? Describe any ways you feel empowered or engaged through personalized learning approaches, and how these might shape your academic or professional goals.
– Privacy, Surveillance, and Digital Footprint Awareness: Every online action leaves a digital footprint, while privacy and surveillance practices often monitor and record this data. Reflect on your own digital footprint and any steps you take to protect your privacy. Why is it important to be aware of privacy and surveillance, and how can you practice good habits to ensure your digital presence remains safe and respectful?
Submit your Blog Post #2 URL to Brightspace

If you have any troubles with the content of this module, please connect with me, and we can find ways to troubleshoot together! I am always more than happy to help support your learning as we continue our learning through our EDCI 338 course.