This week’s assignment in my master’s class we focused on the term “online identity.” While completing the activity we were required to create an online identity. When I first read the assignment it immediately made me wonder about the importance of your online identity. Is it as important as your reputation in every day life? Because I had so many questions when it came to online identity, I resorted to the almighty google in hopes that it would answer my questions. An online identity, internet identity, or internet persona is a social identity that an internet user establishes in online communities and websites. After searching information about online identity, it was clear that this is something of great importance.
There are many times when I have googled my name to see what I could find. I am also sure that my students, parents, and administration have searched my name as well. I try to make sure that when these searches are performed they are able to find accurate, useful and beneficial information.
To begin this week’s activity I accessed the website Online Identity Calculator. I was interested to see what the calculator would find pertaining to my name, so I decided to complete the activity. Identity calculator is a website that allows you to fin out information about your online identity. Your results are then displayed on a bar graph. I started by going to google and typing my name. I was pleased to see that all of the information that was available pertaining to me was accurate. It had a link to my blog page and my twitter page. But honestly I was surprised that those were the only pages that came up and it took pages and pages of searching to find those. I have created wiki, curriculum, and website pages for other classes that I was not able to find.
Even though I was able to find information about myself I still feel that this information wouldn’t be too useful to my students. That’s why I was excited to complete the remaining of the assignment for this week. We were asked to create an “About Me” page. On this page we were asked to provide out name, interest, favorite movies and music. I was also asked to add a little information and background about myself. I feel that this is a positive because if my future students or parents were to search my name now, they would be able to find a little bit about me. They would also be able to access my blog and read about my experiences and passion for teaching.
Something that I learned from completing this week’s activity is the importance of maintaining an accurate and positive online identity. It also showed me that if I want my parents and students to be able to find accurate information about me, I should provide it myself. I have always been cautious of what others could find about me because I didn’t want them receiving any negative or false information. This assignment helped me to feel more secure in knowing what information is accessible on the web pertaining to me. I also learned how to link and bold information in my “About Me” page on my blog. All and all this was a very informative website that I really enjoyed.
"[Google] had a link to my blog page and my twitter page. But honestly I was surprised that those were the only pages that came up and it took pages and pages of searching to find those. I have created wiki, curriculum, and website pages for other classes that I was not able to find."
ReplyDeleteThe Google search algorithm is tricky to second-guess, but I tend to think that the more dynamic your content is (i.e., you're continuing to add to it regularly) and the more that this content is connected to by others, the more likely you'll see your search results get better.
The online identity calculator sounds like a handy tool for this project! Kelvin is right about the google search algorithm, I wonder where it scours for identities. I wonder if it is limited to social networking things or if it scours the whole web. I haven't tried it yet but I plan to. I sounds like a nice "broom" to find and delete accounts that you no longer want to have active. There are probably some that I forgotten about somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI also thought about parent and administration looking up my profiles when I did the online identity calculator. I know that when we hear we are getting a new teacher, the first thing the younger teachers do is look and see if they have a facebook profile. While I wouldn't want somebody doing that to me, it totally put me in check! I know I 'cleaned out" my facebook when I was first looking for jobs, but it is amazing what you can find out simply by looking at someones facebook photos.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that the web didn't bring up many of your other pages. When I was looking for mine, it didn't bring up my facebook, or my blog either. Maybe that is a good thing though, since you really do need to keep a good reputation... especially online. I agree with the book too, it is so important to maintain a positive identity online because, like you said, you never know who could be looking at it.
Megan H
I enjoyed reading your post – it was very insightful.
ReplyDelete“I try to make sure that when these searches are performed they are able to find accurate, useful and beneficial information.” “It had a link to my blog page and my twitter page. But honestly I was surprised that those were the only pages that came up and it took pages and pages of searching to find those. I have created wiki, curriculum, and website pages for other classes that I was not able to find.” I had the same trouble with the identity calculator in that it did not find all the information pertaining to me. I have blog posts in another area for work and did not find those. I have my own website now (thanks to this activity for pushing me to work on my About Me page and more) but still had trouble finding my information through this tool. I have several emails and wondered if those add confusion to the search engine in which this tools uses.
“Something that I learned from completing this week’s activity is the importance of maintaining an accurate and positive online identity.” I too learned how important it is to have an accurate and positive online identity. I also am concerned about identity theft and leaving too many breadcrumbs about myself, which others could use, to my disadvantage. It is a very fine line I believe.
- Chrystal
Samantha, I definately agree with you in your concern about what people can find out about us online. As teachers, we especially need to be careful about what is being said or posted about us on the Internet, and what we ourselves post onto our personal pages such as myspace or facebook. I do feel that creating a personal home page for your students and parents is a great way to make stronger connections, share information and respond to questions quickly. Like you said, it is important that the information our students and their parents are reading about us is accurate and provided directly from us.
ReplyDeleteMegan Smith
I love reading your blog postings. You are very professional in your presentation. I think if you were to use blogging as a tool in your classroom your parents would enjoy it too. They would get a lot of information and keep coming back for more. Do you think you will continue to blog after the class is over? I think I will try.
ReplyDeleteYour identity online is very important. I struggled the most with what picture to use. I wanted one that spoke to my personality as well as the people that are most important to me, my family.
Emilie