Luke Gibbins

  A different approach… After reading other blogs it became apparent that I took an alternative approach to others when using the theoretical work of Goffman and impression management as a way of evaluating the use of a single online identity vs multiple online identities. From this perspective the use of multiple identities is a natural phenomenon that allows us to maintain good impressions with different audiences, professional and personal. Continue reading →

One of the results of the Web 2.0 and the rise of social media has been identity construction in online settings. In the late 90’s and early 2000’s scholars studied ‘online’ identities versus ‘offline’ but in the last decade the surge in use of social media has meant that the distinction between personalities on and offline has started to blur (Cover, 2015). Continue reading →

One of the results of the Web 2.0 and the rise of social media has been identity construction in online settings. In the late 90’s and early 2000’s scholars studied ‘online’ identities versus ‘offline’ but in the last decade the surge in use of social media has meant that the distinction between personalities on and offline has started to blur (Cover, 2015). Continue reading →

  On how to find reliable and authentic information online… I found this topic an interesting yet challenging one. In addressing the topic it’s so broad it’s hard to focus on just one of the topics involved and in the word count. This led me to do a broad overview on the three literacies introduced in the MOOC ‘Learning in the Network Age’. These literacies are a lot more complex and connected then I first thought. Continue reading →

The Web has become one of the biggest sources for gathering and providing information in our society and an invaluable resource for students in all tiers of education (Walraven, Brand-Gruwel and Boshuizen, 2009). This means that digital literacy is as important as ever to practice and develop to ensure the information we gather online is reliable and authentic. A major aspect of digital literacy is learning to manage, access and evaluate the information we find online. Continue reading →

My blog post this week was specifical focused on technical infrastructure in the UK as an accessibility divide and more generally on common micro and macro differences. Ultimately what I have concluded about digital differences are that they are more complex and connected than what I first thought. Our individual usage of digital technology (micro) is heavily influenced from macro factors, which are traditional social divisons seen in the offline world (Race, Gender, Age, Disability). Continue reading →

Digital differences refer to the factors which make our use of digital technologies different. As seen in the info graphic below, the factors are split in to macro (institutional) and micro (individual). The ‘digital divide’ has been referred to as these macro/micro factors mirrors the social inequality that we see offline, with many of the same vulnerable groups in society not getting the same quality of access/usage of digital technologies. Continue reading →

Digital differences refer to the factors which make our use of digital technologies different. As seen in the info graphic below, the factors are split in to macro (institutional) and micro (individual). The ‘digital divide’ has been referred to as these macro/micro factors mirrors the social inequality that we see offline, with many of the same vulnerable groups in society not getting the same quality of access/usage of digital technologies. Continue reading →

On ‘Digital Visitors and Residents’ Upon reflecting on my previous blog post I believe that I have gained a better understanding of my own use of digital technologies. Beginning with the digital self-test made me aware that my digital literacy was not up to the standard which Prensky (2001) would expect of a ‘digital native’ that grew up around technology. Continue reading →

Prensky (2001) assumes someone of my generation must be a ‘digital native’ having grown up and gained a fluency in languages of computing and Web services to live, learn and work with. Whereas older generations are natural ‘digital immigrants’ with little experience of digital technology and require more education to become equally as competent. After filling out the digital literacy self-test sheet (shown below) I am definitely not a ‘digital native’. Continue reading →