Month: January 2025

In today’s media, it’s becoming harder to separate personal and professional identities online. Social media platforms have multiple functions, making it easy to share personal moments with family and friends while also promoting our careers or professional work. This overlap complicates maintaining clear boundaries because everything posted online, whether personal or professional, is available to a wide audience.

One way to manage this is by having separate accounts for personal and professional use. Even with this separation, there’s always the risk of content crossing over, whether from shared posts or overlapping social networks. Unless accounts are made private, our online presence is mainly public, which means we have to be mindful of what we share and how it may be perceived.

Personally, I find it challenging to keep these areas separate. Although I try to focus on career content on professional platforms like LinkedIn, I’m still careful about what I post on my personal accounts. The idea that “what’s online is forever” sticks with me, which influences how I interact with social media. While I want to protect my online reputation, I also recognize that building a public following requires making my accounts visible. This puts me in a hard position, on one hand, I want to share parts of my life and connect with others, but on the other hand, I worry about how these actions might affect my future opportunities. A public profile makes it easier for anyone to search for me online, and that can feel uncomfortable. However, it does offer opportunities to grow my network and showcase my personal brand, especially in fields where this is important.

On the other hand, I find personalized learning strategies to be empowering, especially in managing my learning disability. The accommodations I receive, like extended time for assignments and access to tools that support my learning, allow me to customize my education to fit my needs. This has helped me perform better in subjects I might otherwise struggle with. The ability to ask for what I need and get support has made me feel more in control of my academic experience. Theories like Constructivism and Self-Directed Learning, which emphasize tailoring education to individual needs, have shaped my approach to learning. When I can advocate for myself and get the help I need, it boosts my confidence and motivation to succeed.

Reflecting on my digital footprint, I realize it plays a big role in how I’m perceived online. Every action I take adds to the data trail that others can see. While I’ve been taught that “what’s online stays online,” it’s hard to ignore the fact that everyone has a digital footprint, whether we intend to build it or not. I’ve always been careful about what I share because I know it can be permanent, but at the same time, I see that building a professional presence or gaining followers often requires a public profile.

I also understand the importance of privacy and the risks involved in digital surveillance. It’s easy to forget that everything we do online leaves a trace, but I try to be proactive about protecting my privacy. This includes being careful with my personal information, adjusting privacy settings, and using strong passwords. Finding a balance between privacy and engaging with a wider audience is key. While it can feel uncomfortable knowing how visible my online presence is, I also know that full privacy isn’t realistic in today’s digital world.

Click here to watch a video about how to reduce your digital footprint!

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Hello everyone! My name is Jessica Mahfoud, and I’m currently in my third year of studying Biology and Psychology at the University of Victoria, and I am originally from Calgary, Alberta. I’m really looking forward to this course because it mixes my interests in technology and education and will give me an opportunity to intertwine this within my academic journey.

Over the years, my experiences and encounters have shaped the way I learn. Growing up in, I’ve always had easy access to so much information online. As I’ve gotten through my studies in the sciences, I’ve realized the benefits and the challenges that technology has in education. In particular, social media has played a significant role in helping me connect with others in my field, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on how it’s effecting education.

Social Media‘s Impact on Education

Social media platforms are usually seen as entertainment and personal connection, but I believe they also hold great potential for enhancing education. For me, social media has been an essential tool for staying in touch with classmates, professors, and other professionals in my field. It’s a convenient way to keep up with the latest research, attend online events, and even network with people who share similar academic interests.

One of the best things about social media is how it creates a sense of community. Whether it’s joining student groups, engaging in discussions on current topics in biology and psychology, or following experts for, it allows us to learn and share ideas in a more convenient way.

However, there are challenges as well. One major issue is the large amount of information available, and it’s up to us to filter through it and ensure we’re intaking reliable content. Ultimately, it’s our responsibility as users to make sure we’re consuming information that adds value to our learning.

Personalized Learning With Digital Literacy

Personalized learning is something I truly value, especially since I’m interested in both biology and psychology. I find that learning is more motivating when I can explore subjects that align with my interests and at my own pace. Whether it’s taking an online course, or diving deeper into a specific research topic, having the ability to change my learning experience keeps me excited and focused.

Digital literacy is essential in allowing personalized learning to be effective. It enables us to manage online platforms, figure out the quality of information, and interact with it in meaningful ways. Today, digital literacy is needed because it pushes us to evaluate content and choose between fact and false information.

Digital Identity and Online Presence

Managing our digital identity is so important in academic and professional settings. The way we present ourselves online, through our profiles, shared content, and interactions, reflects who we are. It is important to be careful of how we manage our online presence to ensure it aligns with our values.

For me, keeping a positive digital identity is about sharing content that is thoughtful and important to my studies. It’s a way to express my academic interests and present myself well, while also showing respect for others.

Ethical Use of Online Platforms

Understanding how to navigate and use online platforms ethically is needed. I’ve had the chance to learn with digital tools, such as research databases, and I’ve come to realize the importance of ethical online behavior. Whether it’s making sure that we give credit where it’s due or being transparent in our posts, ethical use of online platforms is needed for creating positive and supportive online platforms.

It’s easy to post things impulsively online, but I believe we need to be thoughtful about what we share and how we interact. By using online platforms ethically, we contribute to a more respectful and productive digital space, which ultimately benefits everyone involved.

Conclusion

Ultimately, I believe social media can play an important role in education by creating connections, supporting learning, and allowing collaboration. Although there are challenges, such as the need to filter information and stay focused, social media offers so many opportunities for engagement and personalized learning. It’s our responsibility to navigate this space thoughtfully and manage our online presence.

Best regards,
Jessica Mahfoud