Looking back at this semester, I can honestly say that this has been one of my favorite courses. I have enjoyed every module and have been fascinated with the ability to connect course content to my daily life in a multitude of ways. I also enjoyed every assignment, but if I had to pick one, it would have to be the application analysis. I use social media platforms and the affordances offered by those platforms every day, but being able to take a deeper look into the design of those platforms has completely transformed how I view media. Before that assignment, I would not have thought twice about the internal design of an app that I was using, but now I can look at an application, such as TikTok, and analyze how it utilizes its affordances to create not only the most “user-friendly” experience, but also the most profitable one.
Since taking this class, the way that I interact with media has drastically changed. The content that we covered in class, specifically module 3, which discussed the role of new media in our society, was especially eye-opening for me. I reevaluated how I interact with new media, like Google, and adjusted my approach. With the abundance of information that Google contains and learning how that could have a negative impact on me, I now make sure to do sufficient research before coming to a conclusion instead of just accepting the first suggestion that Google provides. This course has taught me to be more aware of the habits that new media, notably the Internet, have instilled in us and how to be more vigilant when engaging in them.
Completing this ePortfolio was my introduction to having an online professional presence, but maintaining it made me consider the presence that I have in other online realms, such as on social media platforms. My only public account is Facebook, and after completing this ePortfolio, I now make sure that what I am posting and expressing about myself creates the best and most authentic impression of myself to that of potential employers.
If I could give any advice to future students about the ePortfolio, it would be to just have fun with it. There are so many options available to you when designing an ePortfolio, and while it can seem overwhelming at first, it turns out to be a lot of fun. Creating a professional online presence doesn't have to be a bland representation of yourself. You should take pride in your interests and hobbies, and expressing those facets of your personality in this online environment will showcase your authentic self to potential employers or other means of networking. While you shouldn’t post every piece of information about yourself due to security and privacy reasons, you also shouldn’t be afraid to develop an online environment that caters to your interests and goals, as it is an excellent form of self-representation. As for my ePortfolio, I look forward to further developing it as I continue to grow and evolve as a person and as a student.
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