Initial+Identity+Reflections


 * DIRECTIONS:** //Click edit and add your own reflection focused on the status of your online professional identity. In addition, consider what steps you might pursue to further develop and enhance your digital footprint and extend your online professional identity.//


 * I don't really have much of an "online identity." I don't belong to any online groups or gaming sites. The only online-related activity that I do besides searching the web and reading the news is facebook. If I were to have to think about creating a digital footprint at this point, it would be mostly centered on facebook. I have a lot of photo albums on facebook because I like to document where I have been and what I am doing. My presentation would probably include pictures that I have taken of friends and trips. I see myself in the future using flip cameras and using an online website for my class (blackboard or a wiki). I think technology is an important tool and it should be used in the classroom. - Jesse G.


 * My online identity is more notable as an appreciator of those that have them other than one that possesses one. I like to read as much original information rather than produce it. I spend a lot of time reading my friends blogs, friends that are traveling abroad or recently married, basically people that have something to blog about unlike myself. I also read a lot of the humorous websites like mylifeisaverage, textsfromlastnight, and postsecret.com. I enjoy people that have the ability to turn their average occurrences into hilarity. -- ADD NAME


 * If I had to focus on one aspect of my online identity it would be photography. Within my group of friends I am the token photographer and most of my hard-drive on my computer is made up of pictures. However, I still am in the “old school” mode where I like to print them off and make collages, I rarely do much with them online other than most them on facebook for others to see. I have thought about joining photoshop network like photobucket.com but honestly I don't think my pictures would get seen as well as they are on facebook. Facebook also allows people to leave feedback on my pictures, whether it is a funny remark about what is happening in the picture or some sort of positive encouragement.- Emily W.


 * While I do not have much of an online identity at the moment, I am beginning to understand it can really be of importance. Currently, I have an online identity through facebook, my blog (http://jessiejordan.wordpress.com), my church website (www.vintage21.com), and through the NCSU website, specifically the Park Scholar website. I would like to think that all of my online identity is above reproach. I try to not post anything online that could later be embarrassing or used against me; however, none of my current online identities would be extremely beneficial in an educational arena. If I were trying to "write myself into being" I could join professional organizations, nings, educational blogs, and other websites, along with building my own website that could be used as almost an online resume/portfolio. Actually, I kind of like that idea...because then you could hand the Principal your resume, and say...thats not all, if you have a chance, check out my website! Then they would know you were really serious about your profession...hmm...(jessie j)


 * My online identity is very simple if you ask me. My "identity" can be found on facebook, as well as websites holding all of my swimming career information (such as www.usaswimming.org). If you were to search my name (as I know Wes did last week) a lot of information comes up about my college swimming highlights and being a member of the athletic department here at State. You could find the meets I have competed in, some of my personal bests, and information from gopack.com. In regards to facebook, I think I am pretty good about posting appropriate things on my page, along with my friends walls, as I realize people spend countless minutes searching for information on people. At this point my web identity seems fairly bare if you ask me, but like Jessie mentioned, there is an importance for one (especially in the professional world). As I begin to finish my course work, there are definite ways that I can "write myself into being". I think the first step I have already done by establishing the twitter and following professional education tweeters. I can also join blogs and groups online which discuss issues surrounding middle school education. Hopefully something like this would help me stand out as a perfect candidate for a job opening! (Sarah M.)


 * I don't have much of an online identity as I write this. I never thought of the importance of having one until now, so I definitely want to make an effort to make myself known in a positive way online. I currently have a facebook account which is where I share most of my information such as: what I am doing, my pictures, my likes and dislikes, hobbies, favorite things, etc. I am always conscious of what I am posting online as I know it can easily be traced back to me. The information on my facebook page is all private though so it does not come up in a search. I used to have a myspace but I recently deactivated my account since I never used it. I can also be traced through the NCSU website, but that is about it. Although I never thought my name was common, it actually is. There are so many people named Tara Hill that my information is lost somewhere on the 100th page of the Google search results. So, I need to do something that makes my name stand out such as adding my middle name or initial. I really hope to start using Twitter more as I see how it can be a valuable tool for teachers. By following other educators and pages like "Language_Today," I can keep up with the current issues surrounding literacy and education. Along with using twitter, I think I could start a blog or my own class website. Also, It would definitely be beneficial to join educational blogs and nings. The possibilities seem endless! (Tara H.)


 * I also do not have much of an online identity. I know that I can be found on some chiropractic websites, cheerleading sites, a special education news website, and most recently on twitter, but I would love to create a more effective and appealing web identity that pertains to more of the educational world. I believe some of my education work can be found online from both NC State and my previous University, Kennesaw State. I think following educational figures and articles online and through twitter and making my own statements about those will help create my new identity. I look forward to making my portfolio and adding educational and professional "shout outs" to my web identity. I am positive that I cannot be found on facebook and I think that is a very crucial thing. I do try to use correct language and grammar when I write anything online, but from now on I will be extra safe on my writing. (Samantha S.)


 * The only you can find out about me through the internet is on facebook and twitter. My facebook gives a brief glimpse into my life through vague information, pictures, and harmless communication between my friends and me on my facebook wall. I occasionally update my twitter with things I am doing throughout my day. I look forward to creating a broader web identity of myself by becoming a part of educational groups on facebook, and following educational influences and articles on twitter. I think that would be a great resource for information, and also a great opportunity to post new information I discover. I love the idea of sharing new information especially if it can help someone else besides myself. I think it is important to be up to date and current with everything that is going on in the education world. I hope that by establishing my web identity in a professional manner future employers will respect me as a future teacher. (Hannah W.)


 * //My online identity is limited to facebook and twitter. When I "google" myself, I am pleased to discover that I am a successful pediatrician in San Diego. So apparently, I am quite an overachiever - teacher on the east coast, doctor on the west...If I allow myself a free moment to daydream, I see "Teacher of the Year" coming up as a future search response. I know that I want to create a class website with a blog for current and upcoming activities, pictures of my students involved in projects and activities, and some information that will be helpful to both my students and their parents. I have a lot of ideas about student created digital storylines, videos, and moodle topics. I also plan on asking my students what they'd be interested in exploring...hopefully I'll be able to make it happen! As Tara said, the possibilities are truly endless! (Suzanne) By the way...is it just me, or has wiki suddenly become user friendly???//


 * My online identity is much like my peers' entries before me! I cannot find much on myself, but more on Asian girls or actresses/songwriters. I would like to establish myself within the online community with a variety of writings, projects, and possibly my own webpage. I am ambitious (possibly a little too ambitious) in what I'd like to see in the future, especially using in the classroom. Aside from keeping a website, updating with projects and writings, I would also love to research a lot of art and find some of my favorites to add a visual aid to them. I'm not sure I would ever really enjoy using Twitter, for educational purposes or not, but I do see myself using the Wikis, a classroom webpage, and possibly my own professional website to establish myself in the online community for my online identity. (Hannah L.)


 * Looking at my online identity from an potential employer's perspective was a great eye-opener. I realized that I could be utilizing an excellent resource that right now I'm limiting to only Facebook and Twitter. I'd like to develop my online identity further so the viewer can get a more accurate depiction of my accomplishments and the future teacher I'd like to be. I think Linked-In is a great way to start professionally networking. Once I'm a teacher, I'd like to have a website that lists project details, upcoming assignments, due dates, and other classroom happenings. It would serve as a connection that could make the parent-teacher relationship more personal. As much as I resented Wikis at first, they have finally started to grow on me! I could definitely see myself having a class Wiki that students where students could post thoughts, similar to this. I think it is a great way to use technology while getting conversations going and sharing ideas. Overall, I'm glad to have seen where the holes in my online identity are, and look forward to learning how to ensure I make the best first impression possible. (Caroline T.)


 * Teachers are constantly telling students that they need to clean up their online identity in order to get a job one day, and after exploring my online identity last week in class, it appears mine is practically as clean as they can get. When searching for myself, I did not find anything on myself; however, after listening to some advice from Dr. Young, I realized that having an identity online can be an asset in an interview, as long as it's a good identity. That is my goal for the next few months. I want to create a positive online identity. I also think it's important that I include my little initial with my name, so it will be easier for future employees to find me quickly and avoid some of the rift raft. At times I get a little overwhelmed with all the technology and wikis and twitter accounts, but I do think that they can be very positive, especially in a classroom. Once I am a teacher, I want to create my own website for my students and parents to visit. It will have assignments, projects, upcoming events. Learning about the various options through our classes and working with them diligently has proven to be a good thing, and I look forward to learning more! (Olivia Love)


 * My online identity is limited to a few select websites. I do have a Facebook page which shares simple information such as my interests and hobbies as well as the endless pictures I have been known to take. The only other places that I would be found online (to my knowledge, anyway) are the NCSU directory and the Westwood Baptist webpage. I have tried to keep my online presence to a minimum because I do not want all of my private information to be made public. However, after talking in class last week, I do see the importance of having a solid online identity. Once I have my own classroom, I plan to use technology to pique the interests of my students. I will have a class website that houses a course calendar, upcoming assignments, and a space for students to pose questions. It will also be a place for parents to access this same information--I think it is important for parents to take an active role in their child's learning. My goal in creating an online identity is to provide an accurate representation of myself for future employers, students, and parents. (Julie D.)


 * My online identity seems to be much more slimmer than some of the other MSLers and especially Dr. Young. When I googled myself as "Wes Brown, Raleigh NC" my twitter account was the very first thing to show. I'm not naive and understand that this is because Twitter pays google to be one of the top searches. After further investigation I found my Facebook page. My Facebook is set to private but viewers can still see my default picture as well as selected information about myself. Additionally, I do have a Youtube account but have no videos uploaded as well as a being a part of the NCSU CED Ning which was required during ECI 102. I am somewhat satisfied with the extent of my online identity at this point in my career. As a potential college graduate I am aware that sometimes less is better in regards to an online identity but as a teacher I want to be a part of a variety of organizations and website that can help promote teaching, my philosophies and aid my students. (Wes Brown)


 * Like a lot of us on here so far, I don't have much of an online identity. My online identity consists of my facebook page, which is privacy protected, and my Twitter account, which is protected too. I understand the importance of establishing an online presence for professional reasons, and that's something I think we will all be working on. I think Twitter is a great way to be able to connect to people that you may not otherwise (celebrities, authors, leaders, educators, etc) but I'm really not a huge fan yet. The idea that I would like to "follow" a stranger's tweets is still a little off putting. So, instead of focusing on Twitter, there are other options like LinkedIn, and additionally creating my own website. Luckily, I have a friend who codes website and she has offered to build me one (if need be) so I'm hoping to be able to use that for my portfolio or even for my class website when I start teaching. Hopefully that will leave a dark enough digital footprint! (Lauren Avery)


 * I have a very simple and discrete online identity; it's practically nonexistant. I have Facebook and Twitter accounts, but both are private and protected. I'm also careful about who I add/accept on both sites and don't allow just anyone to have access. I've never really thought about having a "positive" online identity, but can see how it would be beneficial in the future. I definitely picture myself using an online website or Wiki page for my class, in order to keep students and parents informed about assignments, announcements, etc. I would also use it as a place to post exceptional work, pictures of projects, and other things that students create over the year. It might even be neat to create a "class blog" where students have an opportunity to post their works, thoughts, etc... with permission from their parents, of course. I can see how Twitter would also be beneficial, but don't see myself using it very much in the future. (Chelsea)


 * From what I could tell, and from what others told me, I practically have no online identity at the moment. This seems to be the case for most of us here. My facebook page doesn't even show up on a general google search, although browsing the entire net could probably bring it up along with a few other items. Overall though, I don't have a real online identity yet, and most certainly there is nothing online which would hurt me professionally. Furthermore, I am very careful about what goes on my "one" online profile, facebook. There is absolutely no inappropriate material, and there never will be. I plan on keeping things that way obviously, especially considering that I am very close to becoming a professional educator. For the future, I definitely envision keeping my online identity remote and safe. I would love to create a wiki one day with students, along with starting up a lit blog and website. These things will of course increase my online identity, but only in a positive and professional manner. What I don't want is to not have an online identity at all, because I just don't believe that will bode well for an ever-increasing media influenced world. As a teacher, I will want my students to use the internet as a tool and window for learning, and to make that possible I need to create and sustain a positive and meaningful online presence. (Ron Olson)


 * My online identity is virtually nothing. I had a facebook before, but it's been deactivated for awhile now. And I don't plan on reactivating it anytime soon. I have a twitter, but it's on private. I also am part of the NCSU CED NING. I didn't think that having an online identity could benefit me in my future career, but now I have realized that putting myself out there may not be such a bad thing. In the future, I would love to use wikis and moodles. I would also like to have a class blog. Through my education classes, I realized that having class websites and wikis are both beneficial for the teachers and students. (Zohra Sadat)


 * Except for Facebook and Twitter, I really do not have much of an online identity. Since society is so dependent on the internet and all sorts of technology, I guess that means I don’t exist! Honestly, I initially did not like the idea of establishing web identity because using the internet to find out about someone’s entire life is a bit eerie and uncanny to me. I am such a traditional person and would much rather be acquainted with people face-to-face instead of what can be discovered with the click of a button. However, I realized that I would rather have a hand in writing my own self into being rather than all sorts of information from paid websites that may be inaccurate. While Facebook for me is purely for social networking, I have discovered that Twitter can be used for various teaching tools and aides. Also, Linked-In would be a great way to build my online presence professionally. I am not the most computer-savvy person, but I really would like to use a class Wiki or some form of educational blogs because this would be beneficial for my students. I feel that establishing web identity is essential in order to make myself visible in a professional manner. (Kay Balagtas)
 * 
 * 


 * I've always been a bit behind the times when it comes to online networking and identities. I didn't join AIM, myspace, or Facebook until much later than my peers, and even then, it was due to a bit of peer pressure. I make sure that my online information is protected and private, because I've heard plenty of horror stories that keep me on the lookout for things that can harm my chances at getting a job or giving a colleague the wrong idea about me. I would like to use online technologies as a teacher, and I had a Psychology teacher who started a Facebook page for students to ask her questions as well as post homework, which I think would be a great idea for high school students. I would also like to use a website or blog so students and parents can keep up with what we're doing in the classroom.(Margaret)


 * My online identity is pretty much the same for everyone and is nothing personal at all. If you were to search my name on Google, you would find me on 123 people or MyLife, including my relatives. I am found on our NCSU website, twitter, and wiki. You would also find a summer school application that has brief details about myself to the applicants. I like to reconnect with my family, so I join sites like Geni and Facebook. You could find my name in many things that are not even relevant to me, and I don't think it would be much of an issue in the future. Sometimes, I don't like to put publicize myself too much online, but I think it would be fine if everything was handled carefully. I think that having a professional web identity is one way to portray yourself in a good manner. Websites like linkedin.com are beneficial and useful to establish a strong web identity that encourage others to view you in a professional way. I would like to use more websites that help promote teaching because they would have many useful information for us to benefit from. (Nada Wafa)
 * My online identity is very limited. When googling myself, Facebook is about the only result that I have on the web. I think that this is can be a good thing, but I do realize that a strong online identity can be very helpful when trying to find a teaching job. I would like to have more of an online identity that would portray who I am and my disposition so that I can get my name out there and land a great teaching job. A good, clean reputation is essential for this and by having positive things about yourself ,maybe in tweets and blogs, it can allow for a better chance to get a teaching position. -Crystal


 * My online identity is basically the same as the rest of the class. I do not have any personal websites or blogs. Also, I have managed to stay away from social networking sites like Facebook. However, I like the twitter account that I started for this class. I can definitely find this site useful for when I begin observing class and when I begin student teaching in the spring. During the semester, I hope that I can drift out and explore new technologies and create a professional online identity. I want my co-workers, and parents of students to google my name and be able to find material that is professional. Also, I want to show how much I value teaching. I am really looking forward to learning how to create a website for my students, or a blog site for students and parents. (Amanda W.)


 * I have a very limited web identity. I don't really want people to be able to get information about me without my consent. I have worked hard at keeping myself off of sites that I don't need. I do use Facebook all the time, but I have the maximum privacy settings, don't have personal information on my site and I really only use it for games. I plan to change the name on my account to an alias so that students can't find me. Maybe I'll create a seperate account for my teaching self. It kind of creeps me out to think that someone can just press some buttons and find out all kinds of personal information, but it is the world we live in. (Wendy S.)


 * Not much can be learned about me personally when looking at my WEB ID. A lot can be seen concerning my school achievements, but nothing really concerning my personal life. What one can find is a lot about my extended family. My uncle and aunt are rather well known around the nation for their work with historical preservation and career as lawyers. They happen to friends with Bill Friday as well. One will also find my other uncle who was a judge. One will also find the work of my brother in the banking world and my brother-in-law who is a navy pilot and officer in the navy. Although this is not "all about me" per se, none of reflects poorly on me. I also think the diversity in my family reflect well on me and show a well rounded individual. (Jennifer Cranford)