I am developing as a social networker….
I reflect back on my beliefs of, attitudes toward, and understanding of social networking for information professionals at the beginning of the subject INF506 with a combination of satisfaction and a little awkwardness. Reviewing some of my original contributions to our Facebook group, my attitude toward social media was negative and narrow in terms of its use for socialising, rather than as an effective tool for organisations and information professionals in particular. The subject content of INF506 has allowed me to take a broader view and provided me with the skills to not only acknowledge the benefits of social networking, but to develop effective skills in critically analysing. Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 had a defined place in my understanding. Through interaction with the resources provided in INF506, I gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of the actuality of these terms. I engaged in reading of various studies relating Web 2.0 technologies that provided background to various trends in different countries, not just our own backyards. Williams (2018) paper addresses the use of technologies in libraries and how ease of use was a major adopting factor.
Opportunity was created through this subject to learn about technology advancements, changes, challenges, their interaction within organisations in general and specifically within our information world.
The requirement of creating accounts and engaging in different platforms such as Twitter and Facebook provided an opportunity to explore social media platforms in a different way, focusing on the sharing of information in a positive and professional manner. In addition, it also allowed me to make new connections through communication with colleagues, fellow students, and like-minded professionals. The internal argument I had prior to engaging in this course, regarding social media and its positive influences, were challenged through the various readings outlining advantages of organisational use of social media platforms. Nisar, Prabhakar, & Strakova’s (2019) paper was one such reading. Their study, similar to others, provided evidence of knowledge management systems positively affecting performance in organisations through social communication. I continue to utilise some of the platforms introduced to me in INF506. Twitter, as a way of keeping up to date with current and relevant trends in the informal professional’s worlds. OLJ#10 allowed me an opportunity to compare and contrast two of my most followed twitter accounts; @ALIANational, and @UNESCO. The creation of my Teacher Librarians Blog, “Miss Worthy- Your Teacher Librarian” (Pope, 2021) for Assessment 1 was so enjoyable that I have decided to continue utilising this blog and implementing it within my new role in my school. With my newly acquired knowledge and skills, I am using these technologies more efficiently and effectively. I am even attempting to use the plethora of social media terms that is being added at a very fast rate such as those suggested by Stec (2020).
The Online Journal Tasks (OLJ) offered a chance to delve more deeply into an academic mindset in a range of relevant and current issues.
The elderly’s utilisation and attitudes toward social networking sites (Casanova, Abbondanza, Rolandi, Vaccaro, Pettinato, Colombo, & Guatita, 2021). OLJ #2 touched on the influence of technology on society and organisations, The opportunities and risks associated, as well as examples of the influence of technology on schools and learning in our current Covid climate. My final two blog posts were when the appreciation of my development of learning from INF506 became apparent. They were focused on not just the convincing side of the argument of the benefits of social networking in organisation. They also allowed me to go back to where I was at the beginning in questioning. However, this time, my learning allowed me to look at the dangers, challenges and potential for the future in a new way. This time, I focused on an opportunities perspective. To understand the challenges means to have some power over the direction. Upon further reflection, the implications of engaging in and learning about the risks and social media policies has had the most significant effect on me as a professional. Following trends regarding privacy and security, ethical use, inclusiveness and diversity, digital literacy, and digital identity is something in the day-to-day life of a teacher librarian that often gains little attention. In truth, the importance of these things is integral in being an effective information professional.
The encouragement I found from the discussions and interactions on Facebook as well as the inspiring nature of our teacher has invigorated me to learn more about the future of social networking, technology and possibilities in these areas. ‘The little robot who lived at the library’ (Axellson, 2019) was such an engaging story that it has stimulated me to want to join the lead for change. Am I ready for exponential change? I am not sure. However, upon reflection of the course content and learning opportunities, personally and professionally INF506 has definitely prepared me more than I was prior to engagement in this module.
The course has allowed a change in thinking for not only me as a professional, but my personal beliefs and attitudes have been transformed through the acquired knowledge and education. I believe the content learning in INF506 has boosted my passion and enthusiasm as an information professional by opening my mind to the opportunities available through social networking. It has given me the ability to keep questioning and keep re-imagining my library so as to keep up with our technological world of information and learning.
References
Axellson, M. (2019). The little robot that lived in the library [Blog post]. https://towardsdatascience.com/the-little-robot-that-lived-at-the-library-90431f34ae2c
Nisar, T. M., Prabhakar, G., & Strakova, L. (2019). Social media information on benefits, knowledge management and smart organizations. Jounral of business research, 94, 264-272. https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/science/article/pii/S0148296318302303?via%3Dihub
Stec, C. (2020, July 27). Social Media Definitions: The ultimate glossary of terms you should know. Hubspot. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/social-media-terms
Williams, M. L. (2018). The adoption of Web 2.0 technologies in academic libraries: A comparative exploration. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. https://journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.csu.edu.au/doi/10.1177/0961000618788725