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Before studying this subject, I thought social networking is equal to social networking sites or social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. After I studied module one, I found that social networking is different from social networking sites and social media sites. Social networking is “a phenomenon in which individuals use Internet-based tools to communicate with each other, sharing both text-based and multimedia-based information” (Spector, 2015). Social networking sites are “websites primarily designed to facilitate interaction between users who share interests, attitudes and activities such as Facebook”. Social media sites “that allow individuals to share content they have created, such as YouTube and Instagram” (Gert & Chan, 2018a). I clarified the differences between them.
Besides, I did not have any understanding about the concepts, emergence and changing of social networking before studying this subject. Now, I understood the social networking concept is intended to facilitate the exchange of idea, communication, collaboration and connection among users from various sectors. I realized social networking has emerged because the generation of the web has moved from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0. Web 2.0 allows users to post and write comment on social networking sites. It also enables information-sharing, interoperability, user-centered design and collaboration. The user of Web 2.0 has more interaction with less control (Issa et al., 2016). The changing makes contributing materials and connecting with other people faster, easier and more accessible to a wider population than ever before (OCLC, 2007).
I understood that social networking has not only changed the way people communicate, collaborate, express opinions and obtain information, but also changed the way libraries connect with their users through this subject. Many libraries use social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter which provide libraries with new opportunities to engage users and establish interactive web communities. Libraries can receive user feedback, outreach to new audiences of library users, promote of library services and resources, provide question-answering, provide learning materials and collaborate with users to create of collections and resources effectively through social media sites (Mon, 2015). This knowledge helps me as an information professional to understand the importance of social networks to libraries in the digital age.
During the learning processes, I understood most libraries have adopted and used their social platforms for promotion of library resources, programs, and services, providing reference services, assessment of the library from user perspective, outreach to new audiences of library users and supporting informal learning (Mon, 2015). I have engaged with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, flickr, YouTube and Yammer over the session. I learned their characteristics and know how to use them for external marketing and communication and internal management. Since the Library in my workplace does not have any social platforms, I will suggest these social platforms to the Library Committees because nowadays library uses social platform to connect with library users is important.
For external marketing and communication, I will use Facebook to announce library news, promote library activities, service and events and recommend books for users to read in an effective way. Besides, I will understand users’ perspectives and feedback through comments. I will also answer references questions via direct message. In terms of Instagram, it is a good platform for me to promote library activities and show what is happening in the libraries such as fun stuff via images or photos in order to attract users’ attention, especially for young people. I will use Twitter to announce library notices and promote library events in short message method. I will use flickr to share and store photos of library activities. I will use YouTube to upload videos for teaching information literacy such as how to use library catalogue. For internal communication and management, I will use Yammer. I will build two communities for the Library Committees and library volunteers. I will post library announcements and meeting documents for the Library Committees and library notices, roasters and training resources for library volunteers. I will conduct internal communication with them through comment and private message.
Besides learning and application of tools and platforms, I realized that social networking has changed people’s lives become more convenient to retrieve information, connect and cooperate with others. However, social networking at the same time has caused some problems including data privacy, authenticity of information and online behavior.
About data privacy, I understood personal information become easier to be collected and used by others when people use social networks because social networking allows users to upload different types of content. People share their data of birth, email address, photos, videos to social platforms. Unfortunately, some social platforms such as Facebook, they harvest personal information from its users then give to third-party developers. The personal information is resold or reused by third-party developers to develop applications. The personal information may also be used to apply more targeted advertising messages (Iosifidis & Nicoli, 2019). Moreover, some third-party applications including games might access information in users’ profile without their knowledge. This information could be then used in different ways for example tailoring advertisements and performing market research (Abraham, 2012). Besides social platforms, I knew that the issue of data privacy also become a contested topic when higher education institutions apply emerging technologies. The problems include how to protect the privacy of student data around partnerships and data exchange with other organizations and vendors (Educause, 2020).
Another issue in the online environment I learnt is authenticity of information. Nowadays, people are increasingly distrustful of the things that they see and hear on the Internet (Kemp, 2020). It is because online disinformation has become more prevalent without well regulatory approaches. Even news on social platforms may not be true (Iosifidis & Nicoli, 2019). People may easily be tricked if they obtain online information without evaluating the authenticity.
Besides authenticity of information, I also realized online behavior is another issue in the online environment. Fear of missing Out (FoMO) is one of the online behavior problems. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to development of FoMo by high engagement with social media. People who suffer from FoMO have anxiety to miss important events so they desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing in the online environment (Bloemen & De Coninck, 2020).
Moreover, I think the most meaningful part of my learning journal is constructing and contributing to my OLJ. The learning process enriches my knowledge about social networking. In blog 1 (OLJ task 1), I understood what is “fear of missing out” (FoMO). I learned that adolescents are particularly susceptible to development FoMO. When they suffer from this anxiety, they desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing. Also, I realized that one of the main factors influencing adolescents’ media use is family environment.
In blog 2 (OLJ task 2), I have basic understanding of the development trend of technology in higher education. I recognized the controversial issues of implementing emerging technologies. Also, I have a deeper understanding of the global usage of the Internet. Moreover, I learned that timing and ecosystem are critical elements for business companies to foster innovation in order to cope with technological changes.
In blog 3 (OLJ task 4), I learned about how non-library organisation such as UNESCO use Twitter to disseminate information and connect with users. I realized that social media can be a powerful platform to disseminate public information from the engagement of users on UNESCO’s Twitter.
In blog 4 (OLJ task 10), I understood what essential knowledge, skills and attributes of an information professional should have in a web 2.0 World. I never think about some attributes such as being resilient, adaptable, open mind, willing to try new things are important to an information professional before. These criteria are useful for me to develop as a professional librarian.
In blog 5 (OLJ 16), I recognized the impact of online disinformation is strong. It is a global issue and the most pressing challenge of the digital age. I knew this issue requires multiple approaches to resolve including governmental regulation, self-regulation by online platforms and promotion of media literacy. Information professionals play a critical role in strengthening media literacy education.
In blog 6 (OLJ task 18), I realized that Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the potentials for the future of library. I learned about some applications of IoT including monitoring equipment, using robotic devices and RFID.
Besides learning from the process of constructing and contributing my OLJ, I also learned from engaging with the other class blogs. When I read class blogs which with the same topic as I chose, I got inspiration from another point of views. As for some topics that I have not explored, I learned some new knowledge such as I understand what digital traces is from Lisa Marie’s blog (Marie, 2021).
Besides learning from OLJ, this assessment also enriches my knowledge and contribute to my understanding of working in a social environment. I thought social networking and technologies only need to know how to use them before starting assessment 2. However, this assignment changed my mind. Assessment 2 allowed me to read different kinds of materials about social networking and emerging technologies. I learned about their development background, current development, influences and future development trends.
In terms of development background, I learned about the background of web 2.0 and library 2.0 from module 4 (Gert & Chan, 2018b). In current development, I understood the global use of the Internet from Digital 2020 reports especially the rapid development in China (Kemp, 2020). Also, I realized how organizations use social platforms such as UNESCO’s Twitter to implement their missions (UNESCO, n.d.). Regarding the influences, I knew social networking has caused some problems including data privacy, ethics, accuracy of information and online behavior. In addition, I found that emerging technologies have improved the effectiveness of higher education from 2020 Educause Horizon Report (Educause, 2019). Also, I realized librarians need to change their mind and enhance their skills and knowledge of technologies via the example of Vancouver Public Schools (Chun, 2018). In future development trends, I knew that the use of emerging technologies, for example, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things will increase in higher education and libraries from 2020 Educause Horizon Report and IFLA blog post (Educause, 2019; Purnik, 2019).
As an information professional, I must move outside of my comfort zone to learn different types of social platforms and new technologies because I understood librarians need to use social networking for connecting with users and use emerging technologies for improving services effectiveness. UNESCO’s Twitter let me understand the importance of using and managing social platforms. Librarians can effectively disseminate library information and resources to users via social platforms with good management, thereby increasing user to access knowledge and reach library. Vancouver Public Schools is a good example of learning and using new technology tools. It let me understand the students’ learning outcomes will enhance when librarians are willing to take risks, learn and use new technologies.
Overall, I think this subject is useful to me. I benefited a great deal in the process of learning. I believe the knowledge that I learned about social networking will help me become more professional information professional.
References
Abraham, A. (Ed.). (2012). Computational social networks security and privacy. Springer.
Bloemen, N., & De Coninck, D. (2020). Social media and fear of missing out in adolescents: The role of family characteristics. Social Media + Society, 6(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305120965517
Chun, T. (2018). “Brave before perfect”: A new approach for future-ready librarians. Teacher Librarian, 45(5), 35-37.
Educause. (2020). 2020 Educause horizon report. https://library.educause.edu/resources/2020/3/2020-educause-horizon-report-teaching-and-learning-edition
Gert, C., & Chan, C. (2018a). Module 1: Introduction to the subject [Module]. Interact 2. https://interact2.csu.edu.au/
Gert, C., & Chan, C. (2018b). Module 4: Social media in your organisation [Module]. Interact 2. https://interact2.csu.edu.au/
Iosifidis, P., & Nicoli, N. (2019). The battle to end fake news: A qualitative content
analysis of Facebook announcements on how it combats disinformation. International Communication Gazette, 82(1), 60–81. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748048519880729
Issa, T., Isaias, P., & Kommers, P. (Eds.). (2016). Social networking and education: Global perspectives. Springer.
Kemp, S. (2020). Digital 2020: global digital overview. https://wearesocial.com/au/blog/2020/01/digital-2020-3-8-billion-people-use-social-media
Marie, L. (2021, January 22). What is a digital identity, and how do we stay in control of our online presence? Lisa Hall. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/lisamariehall/2021/01/22/olj-post-5-managing-your-digital-identity/comment-page-1/#comment-8
Mon, L. (2015). Social media and library services. Morgan & Claypool Publishers. https://doi.org/10.2200/S00634ED1V01Y201503ICR040
OCLC. (2007). Sharing, privacy and trust in our networked world. https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/reports/pdfs/sharing.pdf
Purnik, A. (2019). The Internet of Things serving libraries. https://www.ifla.org/node/92356
Spector, J. M. (2015). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. SAGE Publications, Inc.
UNESCO [@UNESCO]. (n.d.). Tweets [Twitter profile]. Twitter. Retrieved January 15, 2021, from https://twitter.com/UNESCO