Mapping Digital Spaces Part II

Back in 2017, I wrote a blog post about how I spent my time online. Using David White’s concept of Visitors vs. Residents, I examined the technology tools and sites I frequented most and reflected on whether I used them professionally or personally. I then categorized them according to White’s idea: 

• Visitors use technology tools to get a job done quickly. They don’t leave a digital trail or engage with others.
• Residents regularly interact with others or create with technology while openly sharing parts of themselves, whether names, comments, or resources. 

At that time, I was in a different role in education as a school-based instructional technology coach. Now, I am still in the field of education, but as the Director of Distance Learning for a community college. The only role that hasn’t changed in those eight years is my role as an adjunct instructor. The assignment to map digital spaces has always been one of my favorites, so this week I decided to join my students and reflect on what has changed and what has remained the same for me. Below is my current map and some thoughts that stood out to me.

• I overwhelmingly have a digital footprint. The vast majority of my map shows that both personally and professionally, I engage with others and leave a digital trace online. 
• Larger images, such as Gmail, Amazon, Snapchat, Reddit, and podcasts, are applications that dominate much of my time online.
• Applications such as podcasts, “X” (forever Twitter), Google, and Facebook are used for both personal and professional purposes. I love that these are places I can blend my personas.
• On the personal visitors’ side, I may have signed up for accounts on these applications, but I do not engage with others or leave a public data trail- I hop on and hop off with a purpose. What may be surprising to some is that TikTok is included in this category. My husband is really the only one who sends me video clips. Otherwise, I don’t use this app much.
• I struggled to find applications that I visit professionally as a visitor! This tells me that I am very comfortable leaving a digital presence.

Here is my original map from 2017 and some general observations.

Nicole’s original map from 2017 Things that have changed New apps! TikTok and Blue Sky are two examples of applications that became available after my original map was created. RIP old apps! Google+, Wikispaces, and Edmodo played a big role in my professional encounters and are no longer in service. My old map was very balanced- I spent just as much time as a visitor as I did as a resident.  I have a much greater professional residency than I did in 2017! Things that have stayed the same Most of the technology applications I used eight years ago remain the same today. Some, such as Fitbit, have been replaced by applications that perform a similar service (in this case, Peloton). I am comfortable with using technology to enhance my professional life and comfortable sharing and engaging with others online. To wrap up, I’d like to revisit my blog post from 2017 by restating something I wrote back then that still holds true today: “My map will evolve as my career evolves and my PLN focus changes. For now, I’m happy with the digital presence that I have and knowing that where I go *is* helping me grow.”