Digital Identity: Personal vs. Professional

In today’s world it is extremely important to manage our digital identity whether it be for personal or professional reasons. Digital Professional Identity (DPI) is defined as “professional identity that develops through internet-based social interactions by utilizing online platforms and communication tools.” This is to maintain boundaries between your work and personal life. For me I like to keep all non professional social media outlets such as instagram private, where I post stuff just for my friends and family to see. Where on the other hand my professional profiles such as linkedin I like to try and make it as available as possible for companies and employers to see. I believe this separation to be vital between personal and professional life, in order to keep a balanced life while being able to keep your privacy where warranted.  A well-managed digital identity can open career opportunities, for the rest of your life so it is extremely important to keep a well managed digital image whether it be Personal or Professional.

Digital Visitor and Resident Map

Introduced by David White and Alison Le Cornu, the Visitors and Residents (V&R) model describes a continuum of online engagement. The ‘Visitor’ mode allows individuals to use the web as a look to complete a specific task while leaving no social trace. While the ‘Residents’ can see the web as a place were part of their lives and lived, leaving a digital trace.

For me reflecting on this model, I find myself acting as both a ‘Visitor’ and a ‘Resident’. While I am using the internet to do research, accessing information, and accessing online databases on an everyday basis I am applying the ‘Visitor” approach of being able to access that information without leaving a trace. With programs like Linkin I find myself using the ‘Residents’ model. While on Linkedin I want people to see what I am saying and have to offer so it is beneficial to me to use this approach. As I grow in the business world I hope to have my ‘Resident’ impact to be higher than my ‘Visitor’ but as of right now I would say I am a ‘Visitor’ much more.

Theories of Personalized Learning

Personalized learning is an education approach that takes into account a student’s strengths, needs, skills, and interests aiming to customize the learning experience for each and every student. This provides an experience that allows students to get a learning plan based on how they learn best. Constructivist learning theory highlights the importance of actively engaging with material, allowing students to build their own understanding based on experiences while Self-Directed Learning encourages students to take action in setting learning goals and developing strategies that best suit themselves.

For me specifically this way of learning adopted in some of my classes I have taken has been extremely beneficial to me. Growing up I have always had a problem with my working memory so it is sometimes hard for me to retain all the information that is presented within a class. The flexibility in personalized learning keeps me motivated and engaged, fostering a stronger learning mindset essential for both academic and professional success.

Privacy, Surveillance, and Digital Footprint Awareness

Everything you do online will contribute to your digital footprint, making privacy and surveillance awareness critical. In today’s world where everything is done online hackers and security breachers run rampant, and it is more important than ever to try and sleep yourself protected. There are plenty of things you can do to help yourself try and stay protected such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious about the information I share online.

Because online actions are frequently monitored and personal information might be exploited for a varying degree of severity from cyber threats to personalized advertising , it is more important than ever to understand privacy dangers. Maintaining a secure online presence is ensured by adopting strong digital practices, such as confirming the reliability of sources before releasing information. It is always critical to be aware of what you are doing online.

Conclusion

Overall navigating the digital world requires a strategic approach to managing your digital identity, understanding online engagement patterns, embracing personalized learning, and protecting privacy. Being aware of how I interact with the internet can help me create a balance between my personal and professional life while also keeping me safe and secure.