One of the first online platforms we used was Padlet, which would become a seminal part of our work on digital living as we used both a personal Padlet, as well as a class Padlet which we used to work A-Synchronously at specific points in the module, notably using the platform to discuss visualising information through social media and how we present information visually, which would again become a core part of this module. Padlet is described, in its own words, as ‘somewhere between a doc and a full-fledged website builder’¹ where the user can upload notes to an online bulletin board with the option of adding an image. I had previously had experience with Padlet as I used it to document my Transition Year period of school. While this experience allowed me to more easily get to grips with the various tools the website offers, attending lectures and viewing the readings gave me plenty of insight into how to effectively present information visually. I found that Padlet can be incredibly useful as a virtual workplace where you can organize and share information. This was particularly interesting to me as a visual learner as it made me realise how important visual presentation is in the modern day on our digital profiles and using methods such as distinct colouring or accompanying text with images goes a long way in helping readers more easily identify important information you’re trying to convey. Concerning visualising information, I found the suggested reading, ‘Our Top 21 Visualisations of 2021’ by Nick Routley² to be a particularly fascinating showcase of how effective use of visualisation can make articles much more readable.

Another important platform we used to display living digitally was Pinterest. Pinterest is another online bulletin board style platform; however, Pinterest is interesting as it tailors the bulletin board to your own interests. It was enjoyable to scroll through the app and save posts that I personally connected with. Its another example of how visually conveying information is important in the modern day however, unlike Padlet which we mainly used in a work environment, Pinterest was mainly used to show how different sub-cultures can develop and thrive in the digital world, comparing it to another similar platform pocket. Pocket is similar to Pinterest in that it is a digital bookmarking app where you scroll through other users pinned posts and save the ones you find appealing however, Pocket displays articles whereas Pinterest is exclusively pictures. I found that this can be advantageous to the user as the focus on being visually appealing can draw users in to read your article.

Another visual tool we used to display information was mapping data through tools such as Google My Maps and Datawrapper. We used data from Eurostat regarding rates of poverty in EU member countries, as of 2018.³ It further showed me how important visual presentation is when presenting information online and I personally found the map making process to be a lot of fun. I found Datawrapper to be a more intuitive mapping platform as the there were more tools to make the maps look visually appealing, and there were generally more options for customisation and map tailoring. 

In conclusion, my experience in DigiLife has taught me a great deal about how we increasingly live a second life online and how we can use the tools on online platforms such as Padlet, Pinterest, online mapping and other more recreational social medias such as Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook in order to better navigate our online spaces and learn how we can make the information we present online as visually appealing as possible.

REFERENCES

¹Padlet Support ‘What is Padlet?’, last updated in 2022 by Carla Sese: https://padlet.help/l/en/about-padlet/what-is-padlet

²Routley, Nick, ‘Our Top 21 Visualisations of 2021’, published December 30 2021, Visual Capitalist: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/our-top-21-visualizations-of-2021/

³Eurostat ‘Over 1 in 5 at risk of poverty or social exclusion’, published September 15 2022: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20220915-1#:~:text=The%20highest%20shares%20of%20people,%25)%20and%20Finland%20(14%25).

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One of the most impactful aspects of this module was learning how to market myself online through LinkedIn. As a college student, I had never given much thought to cultivating a professional online presence, but Digilife made it clear that doing so was a vital step in creating a successful career. I learned how to craft an effective LinkedIn profile, highlighting my skills and achievements in a way that would appeal to potential employers. I also learned the importance of networking and how to use LinkedIn to connect with professionals in my field of interest. By the end of the semester, I felt confident that I had created a solid online presence that would help me in my future job search.

Another aspect of Digilife that I found particularly valuable was learning how to gather and analyse data. We were tasked with identifying a research question and then using digital tools to gather and analyse data related to that question. This project helped me to understand the importance of using data to inform decision-making, and how to do so in a way that is both ethical and effective. I learned how to use tools like Google Analytics to gather data on website traffic, as well as how to analyse that data to gain insights that could be used to improve the user experience. This project was challenging, but ultimately incredibly rewarding, as it helped me to develop skills that are in high demand in today’s job market.

Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of Digilife for me was learning how to create infographics. I am more used to using my creativity to solve problems so I found this aspect of the module to be particularly enjoyable. I learned how to use tools like Infogram to create professional-looking infographics that were both visually appealing and informative. This skill is particularly valuable in today’s digital landscape, where attention spans are short and visual content is king. I can see myself using this skill not just in my academic and professional work, but also in my personal life, as a way to communicate complex information to friends and family in a clear and engaging way.

Overall, Digilife was a challenging and rewarding experience that taught me a range of digital literacy skills that will be invaluable in my future academic and professional pursuits. I learned how to market myself effectively online, gather and analyse data, and create visually appealing infographics. But perhaps more importantly, I learned how to think critically about the role that technology plays in our lives, and how to navigate the complex ethical and social issues that arise in a digital age.

One of the key takeaways from this course for me was the importance of being a responsible digital citizen. We live in a world where our digital footprint can have real-world consequences, both for ourselves and for others. Digilife challenged me to think about how I use technology and to consider the impact that my online activities have on myself and others. I learned about issues like online privacy, cyberbullying, and digital identity theft, and how to protect myself and others from these threats.

Another important lesson that I learned from this course was the need to be adaptable and flexible in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and it is essential to be able to learn new skills and adapt to new tools and platforms quickly.