A significant difference between Pinterest and Pocket is the visual presentation of information. While users can link articles on Pinterest, content is always presented through an image or video. Some "Pins" are aesthetic or artistic photos with no additional content. For example, the "Collages" board I made doesn't contain any written information, but can inspire an art project, depict a theme, or simply be a pleasing visual. By contrast, Pocket relies more equally on an article's cover image and title or introduction to catch the reader's attention.

Pinterest is also more collaborative, acting as a social network, not just a search engine. It allows for user-generated content and shared boards. It has also become a valuable tool for companies to promote their product beyond ad placements. Pocket has "Collections," which are articles written by Pocket staff, but no opportunities for users to share their folders.

Despite their differences, Pinterest and Pocket are beneficial tools for users to identify and organize what information is most valuable to them. This function is essential in an online world overwhelmed with content. As a result, individuals can learn about any topic, find new, creative ideas, and enhance their digital presence.

Completing the E-Portfolio allowed me to use tools that didn’t simply deal with managing information, but also gave me creative freedom in presenting the content. I also gained a new understanding of online tools I already used. For example, I love Pinterest, but I have never used it beyond finding pictures for my phone background or funny memes to send my friends. However, the E-Portfolio made me look critically at Pinterest and consider how it can benefit my online engagement.

Seeing the different uses of each tool in the E-Portfolio was also crucial because social media will continue to be in every aspect of my life. As consumers continue to use social media to research brands and products, it has become increasingly common for companies to grow their online brand personality and presence (Osei-Frimpong & McLean, 2018). A frame for this situation is the social presence theory, which outlines how people use social media as a “form, behavior, or sensory experience” that gives them insight into the cognitive states of others. The growth of social media also suggests that this social presence is necessary for individuals because of how influential online information and opinions can be for users (Osei-Frimpong & McLean, 2018, p. 11). This suggests that learning to use these social media tools productively will be beneficial once I am in a professional environment. For example, Pinterest is a creative marketing tool for companies to target a specific audience with a curated brand persona and lifestyle. Similarly, mastering YouTube Editor would be a valuable skill because I may stand out by knowing how to create well-made videos. 

As discussed at the beginning of the course, the social media environment continues to change and become more ingrained in every aspect of our lives. “Digital literacy,” or the ability to effectively use digital technology or communication tools to find, understand, or create information, is a valuable term for defining the importance of knowing how to use social media effectively and appropriately (Fulton & McGuinness, 2016, p.9). This assignment has helped me understand how to become more “digitally literate” by learning about and adapting digital tools to my online participation.

For example, I receive an overwhelming amount of information on my phone and computer every day. The influx of information online and the undeniable urge to go through all of it can negatively impact people’s well-being, productivity, and decision-making (Hemp, 2009). When dealing with so much information, it can be challenging to discern what is accurate, valuable, or interesting. However, after using Pocket for the E-Portfolio, I know there is a medium that can help me find, organize, and share information I find valuable. Similarly, Pinterest and Google My Map provide more creative outlets for organizing and presenting information effectively. Google My Map provides one location to input information in multiple mediums, including map locations, text, images, videos, and measurements. Like Pocket, this consolidation can help improve how an audience understands a topic.

Like organizing information, using the Screencast-O-Matic, YouTube Editor, and Google My Map will help me create understandable and engaging content that I can publish. Visual content is crucial because ideas presented graphically are easier to understand and remember than with only words. While the E-Portfolio didn’t involve making infographics, they are valuable for “quickly telling a story, showing relationships, and revealing structure” (Yarbrough, 2019, p. 3). Like Screencast-O-Matic and Google My Maps, infographics are good examples of why I should learn to effectively use images and icons and be precise with my writing.   

One of the most significant aspects of these social media tools that I can use in my personal, academic, and professional life is collaboration. Google My Maps, Pinterest, and even Padlet use link sharing, where people can edit or comment on your work. For example, Pinterest lets users share images on the same Pinterest board. While her situation was more serious, Pardis Sabeti’s TEDTalk on publicly collaborating with other doctors amplifies how online platforms provide new opportunities to work together and solve problems (Sabeti, 2015). As online work increases, so does software, including collaborative canvases, that make online work more conducive to collaboration and project contribution (Maldow, 2023). Working with others, especially on sites like those I listed above, opens the space for more idea generation.

Through this assignment, I better understand the numerous social media tools available. After completing the individual projects, I know that applying these tools to my personal and professional life will help me become a better-informed digital citizen. Despite understanding the basics of each tool, I aim to continue developing my skills to increase my online engagement and creative strategies.    

Personal digital strategies became crucial while answering this question throughout the module. Instead of the “throw-stuff-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks” approach, the personal digital strategy becomes an organized framework to achieve my objectives for growing my online presence and persona (10 Steps, 2016). Having a structure for engaging on social media platforms makes breaking through the clutter of information less overwhelming. It also allows me to monitor how I can use my profiles to network with potential organizations or employers. Another reason it is essential to have a robust online profile that displays my personality and achievements is that having someone Google me or look me up on LinkedIn or Instagram is inventible. Employers may ask for social media usernames on hiring applications or search for full names on the Internet, using these tools to screen potential candidates (Murdock, 2012, p. 25). With personal information becoming more available to strangers (whether or not that is a good thing), it is crucial that what people see online accurately reflects who I am and doesn’t risk damaging my reputation.

The accessibility of information and the ability to build my digital presence across various platforms is an advantage when used responsibly. LinkedIn is the best example of using social platforms to network and develop a self-management strategy for career success. Research by Davis et al. explores how networking online is associated with numerous career benefits (Davis et al., 2020, p. 11). LinkedIn and other professional networking sites provide visibility of content and people, persistence of posting, editability of content, and association of people with specific fields of interests or organizations (Davis et al., 2020, p. 2). Just as I can update my LinkedIn and post new endeavors and accomplishments, I can also learn about the interests and activities of my LinkedIn connections to know who to contact or follow when looking for assistance or job opportunities.   

While social media and social networking sites have tremendous benefits, this module has made me consider the importance of online responsibility and privacy. As Chapter 11 in Digital Detectives explores, online reputation management is as important as building your digital strategy and presence. Also known as a digital footprint, almost anything done or said online leaves a trace of your digital presence that can negatively impact how you are perceived online (McGuinness & Fulton, 2016, p. 184). Even when you post something privately, people can take screenshots and spread those on a much larger scale. Even if I am not posting anything inappropriate online (I shouldn’t be doing that anyway), it is an essential reminder that, for better or worse, anyone can perceive me online and draw conclusions. I always need to consider that joining social media platforms is like a community, and I need to respect other users and be transparent and authentic in who I am online and in person (Cohn, n.d.). By setting an ethical code of etiquette online for myself, I can take advantage of the positive aspects of social media without changing the experience for other users.

The other important aspect of having a digital strategy I have explored during this module is safety online and being aware of who is accessing my information. James Bridle’s TED Talk regarding the impact of YouTube algorithms and inappropriate videos on children exhibits the dangers of online content. His Talk tracks how children can go from watching family-friendly cartoons to violent and addictive content without human intervention (Bridle, 2018). While adults should have more control over what we choose to watch, it is crucial to be aware of how social media platforms and online content impact our daily interactions and mental state. The privacy policy assignment for the E-Portfolio also helped me consider what data social media platforms collect and what I want them to see. While in this module and completing the E-Portfolio assignments, I  better understand how to present myself online effectively and be aware of what social platforms and other users can see about me. Now, I will be more intentional with my online interactions and focus on using social media and their analytics to enhance my digital strategy and learn more about using social media platforms to my advantage.