STUDY LIFE
Studying this unit has had a profound effect on me. This is the first time that I have been able to submit any work for two years, due to health issues. This unit helped me to get back on track by building on my existing knowledge of, interest in, and experience with social media.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about concepts that are already interests of mine, including inclusivity, diversity, and information literacy. As a librarian and former journalist, these are areas that I am passionate about.
I particularly enjoyed learning exactly how libraries are using social media, and the potentials for the future.
The first assignment was very practical, and I really enjoyed putting some of the theoretical information I had read into this context. It was the kind of project that I could imagine having to complete in the “real” world. It really reinforced for me just how valuable social media can be in an information setting, having only used it in a personal context before.
While reading through the modules, I was surprised at how much comes under the umbrella of “social networking”. I had not realised that YouTube, blogs, and Virtual/ Augmented Reality were included, but it did not take long to understand why. Coming to this subject with fairly limited technological knowledge, I found recent developments in VR and AR particularly exciting. I love the picture in the article by Rajan et al. (2022), where a person is using an AR mobile application to be visually led to a book on the shelf. The app also has the capacity to find similar books for the user.
I really enjoyed the new experience of using Facebook as part of our learning. As a proficient user of Facebook, I felt confident to take part in discussions, and enjoyed the quick exchange of information with other students that it allows.
I would have liked to continue this on the blogs, but unfortunately missed that window when catching up after health issues. I did look at the other students’ blogs, and was interested to see how different every blog was. The customisable nature of blogging compared to other social media applications adds an extra layer of interest.
WORK
As with the first assessment task, I enjoyed the feeling that everything I was learning would be useful in my career.
I work in an academic library, at Deakin University, but am not part of the social media team.
Although public libraries are prolific on social media, to the point that they dominate lists like this one, it seems like many academic libraries are lagging behind.
Ihejirika et al. (2021) and Giannikas (2020) wrote of the importance of academic libraries utilising the full potential of social media for their marketing, services, and education. Giannikas (2020) added that students are more than ready for it.
Deakin Library’s online presence, including Instagram, Facebook, and blog, improved noticeably after our return from COVID isolation. From my interactions with students during lockdown, I know how much this was needed. They were isolated and stressed, and they needed information quickly. We really needed to meet them online. For students isolated by disability or geography, this needs to continue and become regular practise. The online space should act as an extension of the physical space, and is just as important.
This is an opportunity I’d love to make the most of with my colleagues.
PLAY
Before studying this unit, I was an experienced user of Facebook and Instagram. With my chronic health problems, I particularly appreciate pages based around mental health and disability. It provides community support that I would not have access to without social media.
I am also passionate about social issues and politics, and enjoy access to a variety of news sources. Especially on Facebook. With the demise of so many newspapers, this is really the only space where I can do this.
I have had vague plans about increasing my use of Twitter and LinkedIn for some time. I am now motivated to do this as soon as possible. There is entirely too much information on there that I am missing out on.
Although I have no desire to post footage on TikTok myself, I do enjoy browsing. As a librarian and devoted Addams Family fan, in all variations, this post is a particular favourite.
On a more serious note, as a Mum to a nine year old, learning more about Internet safety was extremely valuable. I will be revisiting articles such as the one by Hernández-Martín et al. (2021) in the very near future.
This assessment task, in particular, has aligned with an ambition of mine to start my own blog. I have wanted to since I read the book ‘Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously’, by Julie Powell. I have also seen the movie adaption numerous times, but never really worked up the courage to do something similar myself. Perhaps, this task is just what I needed.
WHAT’S NEXT?
As a result of study this trimester, my personal interest in social media has intensified. My social media use has increased, and is sure to do so in the near future.
Professionally, I do not think that the importance of social media can be overstated. For me, it will be a crucial aspect of my ongoing professional development, supported by the stronger academic backing that this subject has given me. Luo and Hostetler (2020) wrote that social media is essential for librarians wanting to stay professionally relevant. It is an “established expectation” that the education of a librarian continues long after we graduate from formal study (Luo & Hostetler, 2020, p. 1). We are learners for life which, for me, is a large part of the appeal.
I plan to have an active social media presence, across a number of platforms, for a long time to come. It is an irreplaceable aspect of my developing career and, with my personal interests, I’m sure there will be many more debates at social gatherings in my future.
References
Giannikas, C. (2020). Facebook in tertiary education: The impact of social media in e-learning. University Teaching & Learning Practice, 17(1). https://ro.uow.edu.au/jutlp/vol17/iss1/3
Hernández-Martín, A., Martín-del-Pozo, M., & , & Iglesias-Rodríguez, A. (2021). Pre-adolescents’ digital competences in the area of safety. Does frequency of social media use mean safer and more knowledgeable digital usage? Education and Information Technologies, 26(1), 1043-1067. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10302-4
Ihejirika, K. T., Goulding, A., & , & Calvert, P. (2021). Rethinking academic library use of social media for marketing: Management strategies for sustainable user engagement. Journal of Library Administration, 61(1), 58-85. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2020.1845547
Luo, T., & Hostetler, K. (2020). Making professional development more social: A systematic review of librarians’ professional development through social media. The Journal of academic librarianship, 46(5), 102193. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2020.102193
Rajan, S. S., Esmail, M., &, & MusthafaK, M. (2022). Repositioning academic libraries as a hub of technology enhanced learning space: Innovations and challenges. Library Philosophy and Practice, 1-14. https://ezproxy.csu.edu.au/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/repositioning-academic-libraries-as-hub/docview/2622618043/se-2