My Practice and Web 2.0
I find my self a little stuck on starting this post, on the dangerous cycle of overthinking and everything I write isn't coming out right.
There are lots more areas for me of Web 2.0 that I would like to go back to and keep digging and finding however the point today that I currently at is what I am bringing to this blog that being I found this quote resonating with me when I came across it in the handbook
'Teachers are probably the most vulnerable group in danger from violations of boundary crossing between one's personal and professional lives' (Kuehn 2012 p86)
After reading lots of blogs and mapping out the ways in which I am currently using Web 2.0 it is clear to me how important especially now more than ever Social Media is for our Industry, and in the last year how much I have used the platforms to continue to learn, engage and be involved. However in the last year I have also taken on new teaching roles with various dance schools, which is why I am currently so interested in the above quote.
When in my final term at college I actively changed my Social Media accounts to public from private after being told how much they are currently being used as a form of self promotion and a way for companies to find new talent, allowing me to post headshots, Cvs and reels that would allow me to connect with people and show myself as a performer.
Only when I came to remember that I had changed my setting to Public but now I am currently teaching students who at the quick click of a button can be following my account, not that I would ever post anything that would put me in a position where I could end up in trouble however as a teacher I have a responsibility to keep to guideline to protect students and myself.
But where does this now leave me in using social media as a form of self promotion in other strands of my practice? Does it put me at a disadvantage on a private account if people are looking for talent but due to my practice as a whole my safety does not allow for that to be possible, as its all too easy nowadays for things that are posted on social media to fall in to the wrong hands and for people to twist and change them and become something they are not, as discussed in a lot of blogs with filters, facetune/changing what you post can instantly be changed in a few quick clicks.
Electronic messages are not anonymous. They can be tracked,
misdirected, manipulated and live forever on the Internet. Social
media sites create and archive copies of every piece of content
posted, even when deleted from the author relinquishes all control (Kuehn 2012 p7)
There are many other areas of Web 2.0 that I am going to continue exploring whilst also looking deeper in to this line of inquiry and the ethical considerations that are posed to my practice and the Web.
Hannah x
Reference:
Larry Kuehn: Getting into Trouble on Facebook P86 & P7
Hi Hannah,
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting ethical dilemma. I wonder it could be useful to question the differing sources of the arguments for making a profile public vs private and what the motivation is? I also wondered whether Kuehn was referring to specific teacher/child relationships (full time / part time / primary age / secondary age / extra curricular). I believe it's relevant whichever context you're teaching in, but that's just my opinion!
I worked as a classroom assistant for a few years and during that time, we had a few instances where the overlap between teachers/pupils/parents(!) on social media was difficult.
As with all the blogs I've read, it's a great source of inspiration and reflection, thank you!
Sally
Hi Sally,
DeleteReally helpful comment and has given me more thought to look at i totally agree with looking at they why to people wanting a public or private profile, and to actually if there is a benefit to having a public profile for anyone can be a dangerous thing on the web sometimes and I agree with your thinking to the specific teacher and student relationship i.e full time student primary/secondary it I feel its very difficult in the time to find boundaries for social media as it is ever changing!
Thank you for you response
Hannah x
Hi Hannah,
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, this was a really interesting read.
Your point about having a private or public profile is a really important question. Having your profile set to private is important for safe guarding, especially when teaching children alike yourself. Keeping your content moderated and having the power to accept/ decline requests to protect yourself. Yet being a professional in the industry at the moment, Web 2.0 is a great way to self promote and use your social media profile as a CV, posting portfolio images, footage and linking showreels. Casting directors could contact you for a casting just by having a browse. Perhaps creating a separate profile for personal life and professional life. But why should you have to split yourself in half and create two different versions of yourself? What if your professional life is your personal life? Definitely one to think about.
Ellie x
Hi Ellie,
DeleteI feels like a big grey area where there aren't really many answers. Like you say and like Helen commented on Monday there isn't two versions of ourself, in the end we are just one person so should we have to be made to separate ourselves? However if having a public profile would come at a detrimental cost to another area of my practice then it is something to be considered. I think the power shift Web 2.0 has had certainly in the last year within our industry is paramount.!
Thank you for your response its given me lots more area for thought.
H x
Hi Hannah,
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting that you changed your account from private to public. I chose to keep my original account private for my friends, family and more personal life and created a new page as a business. This allowed me to be able to promote my self and my practice to a wider audience, showcasing my portfolio, headshots, showreels and linking to my website. I think it is an interesting perspective that comes with being a teacher and having the responsibility of influencing people especially young minds. However, within our industry web 2.0 platforms are so important for performing arts teachers as it easily shows a portfolio of their work, essensially is free marketing as well as a networking platform. Does the environment you teach in change the way you can use web 2.0 and if so what are the different levels to make it safe and beneficial I wonder? A lot of interesting thoughts in here I have loved reading your blog.
Sophie x
Hi Sophie,
DeleteI think like you say creating a business profile is something to look at, I know once we had a casting company say 'we don't want to see you out on the town for your mates birthday' so having a private profile would enable you to post something like this is you desired. However I think like said in Ellies comment does that make the divide between our personal and professional life become even bigger and seem that we are almost living separate lives. I think it is something to take great care and consideration over as does give great food for thought.
Thank you for your response!
H x