Month: August 2025

I really appreciated Lili’s section on Online Surveillance. I truly don’t think people realize how connected everything online can be even if you are using Incognito mode or using everything logged out.

I also related to when Lili was discussing how she was left with little direction and support while working ahead in school. Immediate feedback can make the world of a difference in anyone’s education journey. I am curious to know how she would balance directing the students and giving them the freedom to choose any path for their assignments. While every student is unique, it can be tough for some if there are “too many” options. Either way though, immediate feedback would greatly enhance their learning experiences to know their strengths and weaknesses.

Kathryn does an excellent job explaining her boundaries between personal and professional digital identities (although the heading only says personal!). She highlights how the balance between her personal and professional digital identity allows her to control her online presence in a meaningful way. She is able to express herself online appropriately and intentionally depending on which platform she is using.

Based on her post, Kathryn and I use the different social media platforms similarly with Instagram being more personal and LinkedIn being professional. I am curious about whether she allows coworkers to follow her private social media accounts. It has always something I am wary about, even though I rarely post anything.

Aashi’s first blog post highlights how social media can be useful in connecting you to new, educational communities. I loved that she was able to learn more about photography through an Instagram community.

I also appreciated how she tied in personalized learning with digital literacy. Quizlet is an excellent example and Aashi does a great job explaining digital literacy is critical for ensuring the information is correct while using it as a tool to help her study. It reminds me how easy it is to find online presentations created by other students for their own projects. While they can be useful for learning, it is always important to fact check and do research.

Aashi also mentions auditing your own name on Google as part of how she keeps a positive online presence. I’m curious if she does this on a completely separate device and not logged into anything, or using Incognito mode. I also wonder if she types in any other identifying information such as location. I know for me, my last name is common enough that it’s hard to find much about me without additional information.

Ben’s first blog post was a great mix of personal and educational views. I also thought his section about the role of social media in education was well balanced. I agree with how platforms like YouTube can be much more engaging for students in comparison to a textbook. Some students have an easier time learning when the information is read aloud rather than reading it themselves. This also makes learning more accessible, especially for those with language barriers. I know that for my mom (English is her fourth language), she can struggle to read instructions in English but she can perfectly understand it when you read it to her. This is the same for one of my other friends who is still learning the language.

I also appreciated how Ben shared his experience with stress. I’m glad he was able to use the tools available to him, such as meeting with an academic advisor, to create a personalized learning plan that worked for him.