With globalization technology has become the only way that an individual can stay relevant in the labor market and this is done through digital literacy. Without understanding digital tools, how to engage, and how to stay safe online one will quickly find themselves unemployable and increasingly isolated.
As I work in a hospital, I am expected to engage with several field specific platforms for documenting, referring, communicating etcetera. Maintaining my digital literacy through employment aided in adapting and transitioning to applying to UVic and engaging in the courses through BrightSpace. While I found those tasks challenging at first, they aided in my ability to learn WordPress and set up my EDCI 338 site for this course. Digital literacy consists of building blocks of knowledge and to miss one block/stage can quickly result in digital illiteracy. Personally, maintaining my digital literacy has aided in my ability to stay connected to peers after my 2007 graduation and having access to the relentless progression of the most up to date information has aided in my career and maintained my motivation.
Digital literacy means, in part, being a wear and adept at using different social media platforms. By using social media to build a community and providing opportunities to become the content creator, learning becomes more engaging at any age. The beauty of social media and one of its biggest benefits is that representation barriers become miniscule. One is typically able to quickly find themselves represented in the work, learning, and cultural content. Social media also offers resource sharing, and opportunities for collaboration. However, this representation does come with risks as well.
I currently work with youth who have been diagnosed with eating disorders. The majority of the youth I work with have actively built PLNs (Personal Learning Network) filled with resources that aid in their disorder. Instructional accounts, how to blogs, calorie counting/regulating accounts and apps are all part of their ability to stay motivated to maintain their illness. Their PLN’s act as a reminder, a prompt, and external accountability monitor.
Personally, social media has played a fluctuating role in my life since the early 2000’s. While at Humber Collage I created a Facebook account that was used daily and since having children I have created an Instagram account. These platforms aided in keeping me connected to friends as we moved from one phase of life to another and my use of them ebbs and flows. I used Instagram to network with collogues and one friend from collage referred me to my current job at a local hospital. My social media presence became a professional networking platform and because of this it has been important to be mindful of how I build my digital identity and who I build it with. To make the most out of my platforms I try to post semiregularly, I try to share resources as well as ask for resources, and I ensure that I am in the right spaces to meet my needs. Ones digital identity is has long-term consequences (both positive and negative) and that is why it is so important to cultivate a respectful online community. It is so important, that most online platforms have a code of conduct. Click here to check out UVics online conduct page.
If you, or if you suspect someone you know, may have an eating disorder find some Current Information here. If you prefer, you can click here to live chat with a professional online or call 1-866-NEDIC-20 toll free.
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