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Reflective Summary

 

Before UOSM2008, I had very little online presence or understanding of living and working on the web. Having created and developed a blog and various social media profiles, I feel that I have learnt a lot in a very short amount of time. This summary website aims to reflect upon what I’ve learnt and the skills I intend to take forward into the future.

 

 

Facebook

 

My previous Facebook profile lacked any up to date information. In updating my profile I also reviewed my privacy settings to ensure that my online presence remained professional. These new settings now allow for the division of my social and professional profiles.

Twitter

 

Twitter had previously never appealed to me. However, now I use it to promote my blog and interact with other individuals on the module. I am able to follow #UOSM2008 conversations and ask questions through an interactive feed. 

LinkedIn

 

I had heard of LinkedIn, but didn’t see the point – I had a CV! However, in creating a profile I have seen that my connections are slowly growing as I continue to add information promoting my employability. Having a profile has allowed me to find and communicate with various professionals. 

to About
to Work
to Services

 Starting from Nothing 

 My Social Media Transition 

 Will I be Living and Working on the Web in the Future? 

 

15 weeks ago I was relatively unknown in regards to social media, I had a Facebook profile, which I rarely looked at or updated, and that was it. I didn’t think that creating an online presence would benefit me.

 

 

Creating a blog and posting each week was initially daunting. The thought of creating online materials and presenting my research informally and engagingly worried me. Would anyone read it? Would anyone comment? In my first blog entry I classed myself as both a ‘Digital Visitor’ and a ‘Digital Resident’, using the web anonymously for research and small tasks. I had never considered using social media to create a professional profile from which I could promote myself to possible employers.

 

 

In creating my online presence, I initially focused on developing my blog, making it professional and engaging. Over the weeks, I challenged myself to add more personality, media and create my own animations and presentations using Powtoon and Prezi. Researching each topic and reading other individuals’ blogs, not only developed my understanding of an authentic online identity and the ethics attached to this, but also introduced me to various new and exciting web based tools. 

 

I feel that I have definitely learnt a lot from this module. From starting out with a dismal Facebook profile and inability to write a paragraph without it sounding like part of an academic essay, to keeping up with various social media profiles and a blog. I have enjoyed being able to interact with other members of the module and found their comments and posts refreshing and interesting. For example, through LinkedIn I found a brilliant John Lewis’ graduate scheme. I later applied to this scheme and was successful in reaching the video interview stage. I then used Twitter to read other applicants video interview experiences and get tips from the company itself.

 

 

Though I still value the distinction between online and offline. I have continued to ensure that my online presence remains authentic and professional. Throughout this module I have enjoyed experimenting with programs such as Wix.com and Powtoon.  I have recently made a Prezi presentation for another module to accompany my discussion and contributed to a blog on 'Understanding Modern China'. 

About.Me was also a new concept to me. To begin with I didn't see the point. However, I soon found that when looking at other individuals' blogs, I didn't know anything about them. In viewing their About.Me page I could see a view facts and view their social media profiles through the links provided. In creating a profile for myself, I was able to access and share my online indentities in one convenient place, whlist also ensuring their consistency and authenticity. 

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