In this final blogpost it has now come the time to reflect on my journey through IN506 ‘Social Networking for Information Professionals’. Over the last ten or so weeks, I have immersed myself in the various modules, covering a range of diverse issues all involving social media and information professionals.
Initially, I picked this subject as one of my elective subjects because I believe that social networking is more important than ever before, and is intrinsic in almost any role in society, whether that be professional or personal. I hoped that this subject would consolidate these notions, whilst also teaching me more about what it meant to be an information professional in the world of technology and Library 2.0.
Now, at the culmination of the ten weeks, I agree with a statement I recall from the beginning of the subject – social networking comes with a multitude of challenges. Constant critical examining of the features and functionality of the diverse range of social networking tools and media environments help to overcome these challenges, and result in one being able to determine how best to collaboratively support ones community and users (Gerts & Chan, 2018). To me, this means that constant modifications and adjustments are needed by todays information professional to ensure that they stay informed, knowledgable and relevant in an ever changing dynamic technological environment. In ‘OLJ Task 5: Embracing a Library 2.0 ethos’ I stated the importance of efficiency in regard to embracing a Library 2.0 ethos, whilst agreeing with Bryson’s (2016, p. 3) point that libraries and information services must undergo radical change to be able to survive and grow in todays society. Whilst exploring my fellow INF506 peer’s blogs I noted that many of them, like myself and Laura Cole, agree that a library comprising of solely old style shelving with stacks of books and not much floor space for much else can put it at risk of becoming regarded as an irrelevant service that is not focused on user-centredness, as noted in my comment on Archana’s Reflective Blog (2021).
While these were some opinions and views that I expected from this subject, I have also learnt many new ideas and information that will help my development as both a social networker and a future, developing information professional. One such example of this is the subject of the role of social media policies. While I agree with Gerts & Chan of the importance of how one presents and manages their online identity, I had not thought about this in depth until this subject. As someone who is classed exactly on the cusp of Generation Y and Z (birth year 1995), technology and social networking have been a large and accepted part of my life gradually since I was born and started using them at approximately twelve years old. Due to this, my digital footprint is quite large, and my identity quite engrained. While I don’t have anything to hide and haven’t had an issue thus far, I strongly agree that organisations must develop policies and/or guidelines to ensure employees use social media within the law and also in an ethical and professional manner (Gerts & Chan, 2018). The policy should be balanced, and aim to regulate use in a reasonable and proportionate way, whilst still establishing a set of policies that must be adhered to (Hebblewhite, 2017, p. 168).
The point that social media is becoming the main source of news for younger people, as mentioned in my blog post ‘OLJ Task 18: Thoughts for the future’ is not surprising. However, the danger of reading or spreading misinformation is extremely high, as anyone with a smartphone essentially has the power to put information on social media and have it potentially viewed and believed by an audience. This point led me to want to investigate the topic further. To do this, as well as read the available literature listed on module 5, I turned to my fellow INF506 peer’s blogs to read what they thought on the topic. Of interest to me was reading Hoson Chan’s blog post ‘OLJ Task 13: Information trends’ where they provided 5 shifts/trends that heavily impact on how we behave as digital citizens. Three of the five involved my specific interest including receiving news from social media, online shopping, and buying decisions influenced by social media. I have considered all three in my comment on Hoson’s blog, where I have discussed the danger in believing reviews left on social media, like Facebook, in regards to online shopping, products, restaurants etc.
The process of constructing weekly blogs to post to my online learning journal was an enjoyable aspect of INF506. Not only did it ensure accountability for myself within the subject, meaning I was aware each week (or so) that I had a journal entry to complete, I also thought it was beneficial to tie in the weekly activities with one of the two major assignments. It made for a much more connected way of learning, and a better understanding of the subject as a whole. The various choices of topics that there was to choose from each week to compile an entry was also beneficial, as you could choose which area was more interesting to focus on and explore more.
Moving forward, I am hoping to take all the new information I have learnt in INF506 and look forward to tying my theory to practice in my role as a future information professional. I have noticed I am already tying theory to practice by thinking twice when I see a questionable article/status/comment on Facebook or Instagram (regularly an example of misinformation), and often wondering about the person/business in questions subsequent digital identity. I am also inspired to use social media more professionally, and have re-activated my Twitter account, and begun using LinkedIn. I also had a bit of fun ‘Googling’ myself (I have a distinctive surname so majority of the results were largely about me, or family members, specifically), and found some of the results expected, like my social media pages, but also funny, like a swimming carnival from over a decade ago, and a school newsletter from 2009. This is the digital identity that represents me, and the digital traces that have been created, stored and collected to put together to construct one version of my digital shadow (Me and my shadow, n.d.).
Photo by the KU Project
References
Archana’s Reflective Blog. (2021, March 28). Module 3: OLJ task 5: Embracing a library 2.0 ethos. CSU Thinkspace. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/archanareflections/2021/03/28/olj-task-5-embracing-a-library-2-0-ethos/
Brandtzaeg, P. B., & Chaparro-Domínguez, M.-Á. (2020). From youthful experimentation to professional identity: Understanding identity transitions in social media. Young, 28(2), 157-174.
Gerts, C & Chan, C. (2018). Introduction. In: Introduction to the subject [INF506 Modules, Module 1]. Retrieved from Charles Sturt University website: https://interact2.csu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_54940_1&content_id=_4192558_1&mode=reset
Gerts, C & Chan, C. (2018). Social Media/Networking Policies. In: The role of social media policies [INF506 Modules, Module 5]. Retrieved from Charles Sturt University website: https://interact2.csu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_54940_1&content_id=_4192562_1&mode=reset
Hebblewhite, N. (2017). Implementing an effective social media policy. Governance Directions, 69(3), 167-169.
Hoson Chan’s Learning Blog. (2021, May 1). OLJ task 13: Information trends. CSU Thinkspace. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/hosononlinelearningjournal/2021/05/01/olj-task-13-information-trends/
Me and my shadow, (n.d.). Take control of your data. Retrieved from https://myshadow.org/