Admittedly, I had never previously read a privacy policy in full detail, so the task of reinventing such a document was initially quite daunting. However, once I had established my key questions, organising the relevant information became relatively straightforward. As has happened to some of my peers, this process genuinely altered my perception of social media: while I have always been a wary consumer, I am now even more aware of the many ways in which one’s online data can be harnessed. I find myself unlinking networked accounts and considering all my social media interactions in a new light.
The 5Rights Foundation provided new learning for me by powerfully articulating the oft-mused-but-never-enacted-concept that ‘young people must be empowered to navigate the digital world creatively, knowledgably and fearlessly’. As Coldwell-Neilson points out, in order to be able to use technology effectively, one needs to be able to identify reliable information and manage one’s online identity and personal security (‘What does it mean to be digitally literate?’, 2020). This task has emphasised to me that providing user-friendly policies is crucial in this respect, so that we can all be fully cognizant of our digital footprint and act accordingly.
Unlike some of my peers, I am a latecomer to LinkedIn, and this badge has given me the impetus to set up a professional profile. With 660 million individuals and 30 million companies holding a LinkedIn account (Iqbal, 2020), this social network is testament to the power of digital reach and how this can be used effectively and advantageously. I certainly intend to avail of its potential henceforth as I develop my career.
Creating an infographic has also led me to reconsider the power of data visualisation in reaching a diverse digital audience. As Dur outlines, ‘data visualizations and infographics that are well-designed in terms of visuality, content and usefulness are important tools to persuade, direct and mobilize people’ (2014, p.40). Having had no prior skills in this area, I feel confident about how I can use this tool in my role as an educator to convey information and also facilitate students to construct knowledge themselves.
References:
Dur, B.U. (2014). Data visualization and infographics in Visual Communication Design Education at the Age of Education. Journal of Arts and Humanities, 3 (5), 39-50.
Iqbal, M. (2020, 24 March). LinkedIn usage and revenue statistics (2020). Retrieved from https://www.businessofapps.com/data/linkedin-statistics
What does it mean to be digitally literate? (2020). Retrieved from https://this.deakin.edu.au/career/what-does-it-mean-to-be-digitally-literate
5Rights Foundation (2020). About 5Rights Foundation. Retrieved from https://5rightsfoundation.com/about-us
Rachael Kinkead (18202251) 