Hello!

My name is Serena and I am a fourth-year music student with a minor in public administration. Currently, I mainly play piano and electric bass. I used to be in the computer science and music combined major program but I was not enjoying the computer science courses. However, I am still interested in programming.

Social Media and Its Role in Education:

Social media can be a powerful tool when used correctly for education. I started attending UVic in 2020 when everything was online. Social media platforms such as Discord were lifesavers for making connections to classmates. Almost each class ended up having their own Discord server dedicated to hosting study sessions, sharing notes, and fostering a sense of community despite not being able to see each other in person. It was the only way we could engage with each other.

Many of my friends have social media accounts that are practice journals where they upload a video once a day on the technique/piece they are working on. It helps keep accountability while also sharing tips and tricks with the broader community.

I think accessibility is both an advantage and disadvantage for education. It is easy to find information in short clips or graphics, but anyone can create them and it might not be accurate information.

Personalized Learning and Digital Literacies

Personalized learning keeps me motivated because it is accommodating. It allows me to pursue what I am interested in at my own pace and uses my strengths accordingly to ensure success. The main reasons I dropped out of computer science was due to the pace and the fact that I was simply not interested in the theory portions of the classes.

Digital literacy skills are necessary for personalized learning to be effective, especially when technology is always changing. The ability to adapt and learn software is crucial. Digital literacy skills are also important for evaluating sources.

Digital Identity and Online Presence

I mostly use social media as a way to communicate. Platforms such as Instagram have become the main way to connect with other music students outside of class time to organize rehearsals and plan concerts. I rarely post on any of my accounts, and almost all settings are on private. However, I still strive to be authentic online while keeping professional accounts and personal accounts separate.

Maintaining a positive online presence is important because anyone can see it. Whether it’s a potential employer, classmate, or teacher, it can be their first impression of you. A positive online presence can lead to more connections and opportunities.

Navigating and Using Online Platforms Ethically

Learning how to navigate online platforms is important to get the best use out of it as each platform is unique and has its own etiquette. I treat Discord much more casually in comparison to Slack. I have only used Slack for work and I would not respond to someone on Slack the same way I would on Discord. Navigating online platforms requires adaptability due to the constant changes. I have found Reddit and other forum platforms helpful when there are updates, especially for music software.

Ethical practices online create positive communities by being respectful and mindful of others. Leading by example is the best way to do this. Giving credit to original creators is also essential.