Blog #3

What digital platforms are students currently using to develop their professional network?

Nowadays, there are many social medias that can be develop the professional network, and they all have different purposes. For example, the most popular digital platform in recent years is Instagram. People like to share their pictures and their daily life on Instagram, and of course I am one of them and most of my friends as well. There are also platforms like WordPress, which we are using now is also popular in the networked public. Moreover, Discord is a very great platform for people to find new friends with common hobbies, and voice chat with friends conveniently. There are many other digital platforms such as Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and so on that improving people’s professional network.

What could the student consider in expanding their professional learning network?

They can consider in the following ways:

• Will the platforms they are using help them professionally? – Use as many platforms as possible that will help you in your academic work or be able to adjust your emotions well.
• Do they focus on their privacy issues? – Protect your privacy, do not easily save your information on the website to avoid being leaked.
• Have they actively managed their online activities? – Create a positive digital identity, and manage your online profile pages on different platforms.
• Do they have the ability to distinguish which websites and information are harmless? – There are websites that spread bad things, that may abet crime, or have about invasion of other’s privacy. Therefore, we must share the happiness from safe sites with friends.

Thread Discussion: How does data privacy and security limit and/or promote a PLN?

Since you have filled in your personal information, email address and phone number on some inappropriate websites that you may receive occasional emails that you have searched for online and scam calls. Many people simply don’t realize that personal privacy is a very important issue. Therefore, everyone should pay more attention to their own personal privacy, and create a wonderful network environment for social platforms.

In your network how can you create a digital identity/reputation?

In the network, I will use what I have learned as much as possible in the areas where I want to show, such as the platforms for different people to share their academic knowledge or the platforms for people to have an opportunity to get suitable or better jobs. A digital identity is also related to a workplace, an employer would go through your digital identity and consider your personalities, your abilities, your field of knowledge, your leadership, your social skills, and your estimate value to their company. Therefore, it is important for everyone to show the authentic self to others, and actively spread positive energy with others. So that everyone can know about what kind of person you are off the networked public, and your personal interests and socialization.

How did pivots to work-from-home during the COVID-19 pandemic change how we should consider our social media connectivity and professional balance?

During that time, everyone was using social medias to communicate with others to avoid face-to-face communication. We learned to use Zoom to go to class, to go to work or meetings, and I think that technology has advanced and made our lives more convenient.

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