Visitor & Resident Map created by Yi Yan

Digital platforms produced from advanced technology provide students with various studying options. Based on my Visitor & Resident Map, Zoom, Microsoft team, and Mattermost can be considered digital platforms, benefiting students’ develop professional work. Mattermost is being used in EDCI 338 course, which connects students and allows us to share knowledge about each week’s topic. Another example will be the Zoom; it is widely used in university teaching under the pandemic condition. The student with a valid account can host or attend video conferences with their colleagues, groupmates, and professors. Students may get professional support during the virtual meeting.

Students who are collaboratively learning with others or outside materials will be considered a Professional Learning Network (PLN). As a student, I would recommend using Twitter as an extra learning resource. Students are encouraged to engage in an academic topic to share/comment on some ideas. They can also expand their PLN by joining the educational forum. 

I prefer to use Google Drive to record my professional works, categorizing each document from the course, term, and interest. It’s safe to use this kind of online document recording system after login with a username and password. Besides, the operationality and convenience of Google Drive are two advantages for a learner who does not want to waste on researching the utilizing method. Moreover, WordPress is another digital platform taught by the professor to construct our own digital identity. Students use categories such as ‘edci338’ after completing their blog post to induce posts together, created by other classmates. Students under the same category can read other’s post after he/she permits.

LinkedIn is a professional app for both employers and companies, which offers great job opportunities online. Employers can search for a career through this path, which benefits both stakeholders. While the privacy and legal issues occur accordingly, many online activities invade personal information when interacting online. An individual should be aware of what they want to do before the action. Digital images effects employment pathways; a more respectful digital image may deep one’s good impression, and vice versa. This can block or promote one’s employment. Developing a nice digital image is necessary.

Answering questions of :

  • What digital platforms are students currently using to develop their professional network?
  • What can you (as a student) consider to expand your professional learning network?
  • In your network, how can you create a digital identity/reputation?
  • Consider what a local employer would do if you applied for a job with them – can they search the content, is it of benefit to the career path, does it hinder the opportunity of employment?