User talk:Alvarocarrena

This is my user discussion page for Digital Media and Culture.

Wiki Exercise #1: Online Visibility and Footprint
I use different social networking, so I am visible online.

The social networking that I use the most is Instagram, where I share photographs of my main hobby, which is triathlon. My Instagram account is private, so I share these photographs with the people I want. I guess Instagram has control of the activity that I do on its platform. In fact, it creates a profile with my preferences to show me accounts and photographs of other people with a similar activity.

Apart from Instagram, I use other social networks, for example, Twitter. I use it to be informed and I do not usually post anything on my profile, which, in this case, is public. When I registered on these two social networks, I provided personal information, such as the date of my birth or my country of residence. This personal data is private and the platforms keep it in their database. I do not know how they are used, but I trust that they are not shown to anyone.

Instagram and Twitter are the main two social networks I use. I closed Facebook years ago because I do not like the idea that my private life is available to anyone online. I prefer to avoid having many accounts in different platforms and I provide the least possible information in which I am registered, hoping that they make a correct use of it.

In my Collaborative Essay work I am going to deepen on Digital Labour. I think it is an interesting topic and one that is related to our online visibility and footprint. Many people work online or with the data we provide in online world. For example, those who are responsible for keeping the data private. However, they also use them to create profiles about our preferences and suggest content that may seem interesting or relevant to us.

In fact, currently, all professions require a minimum knowledge of digital tools. Many of them have had to adapt to big changes due to the irruption of these tools, for example, journalism. Other professions, such as personal trainer, have benefited from the advantages of the online world to increase its impact. Currently, personal trainers can follow their athletes daily on platforms dedicated to sharing training data.

It is clear that digital media and social networks have changed our personal and work relationships. It is a question that we can discuss at length. In relation to visibility and footprint online, I conclude that it is better to share as little information as possible and I distance myself from those who consider that if you are not well positioned online you are nobody.

Alvarocarrena (discuss • contribs) 16:58, 28 February 2019 (UTC)

The text is really well organized in paragraphs and this makes easier the reading. I think a strong point of your writing is that you focus on the topic of your Collaborative Essay work and you try to relate it to the online visibility and footprint. Even so, I don't share your final reflection. As you say, "digital media and social networks have changed our personal and work relationships". We may like this or not, but it is a reality. Therefore, I believe that we must begin to take our visibility online seriously. Logically, even if you are not visible on social networks, you are still someone capable of practising a profession well. The problem is that, more and more, it is valued more who you are on the Internet. Your mind must be open to the thousands of possibilities offered by these platforms.

Arnaumh (discuss • contribs) 11:11, 4 March 2019 (UTC)

Instructor Feedback on Wiki Exercise #1
Posts and comments on other people’s work, of this standard, roughly corresponds to the following grade descriptor. Depending on where your actual mark is in relation to the making criteria as outlined in the relevant documentation, it should give you an idea of strengths and weaknesses within the achieved grade band overall:


 * Good. Among other things, good entries will make a clear point in a clear way. They will relate concepts to original examples in a straightforward fashion. They will make effective use of the possibilities of the form (including links, as well as perhaps copyright-free videos and images, linked to from Wiki Commons). They may also demonstrate a broader understanding of the module's themes and concerns, and are likely to show evidence of reading and thinking about the subject material. The wiki markup formatting will be very clear.


 * This work is at the lower end of this grade band, so there’s clearly room for improvement here. I think in order to engage with the wiki exercises a bit more, it might be useful for you to look at the Grade Descriptors and criteria in the module handbook to get more of an idea of how to hit those targets. Less instrumentally, and more in relation to this particular post, making more use of the wiki functionality and markup would have gone a long way to improving fluidity and functionality of posts. I suspect that, if you become more familiar and proficient with the platform, that this would have made a considerable difference.


 * Re: responses to other people’s posts – none undertaken. This would effectively halve your mark in assessed work.

GregXenon01 (discuss • contribs) 11:54, 18 March 2019 (UTC)

Wiki Exercise #2: To what extend are my online and offline indentities aligned?
I believe that my online identity does not differ from my offline identity. All the content that I publish in the social networks (such as Facebook or Instagram) that I use represents me. I do not pretend to be something that I am not to be online.

It is true that the power to choose what content I publish and what content does not make me not share certain content that I do not want my followers to see. Most of my publications are related to sports. I practice triathlon and normally I publish images training or competing in races that have gone well for me. I do not usually share images of races that have gone worse than I expected. I also do not publish content when I am injured. Bad tests and injuries are part of my offline identity, but I do not show them in my online identity.

In any case, I think that hiding part of my offline identity is necessary. Few people publish everything about them in social networks and those that do are usually lying. My online identity omits part of my offline identity, but it is a truth that what I publish does not differ from this one.

I think that people who do not show themselves as they are in their social networks have a problem, and they are in danger. As Sherry Turkle indicates (2011), this danger appears "when part of your life is lived in virtual places (it can be Second Life, a computer game, a social networking site) a vexed relationship develops between what is true and what is "true here", true in simulation" (p. 3).

I believe that the main reason why some people lie and do not show their identity in social networks is the need to feign. Many people live in slavery to their image and social networks are a space where they can exploit their beloved and precious image. The need to feign is related to the need to have an online presence. As I said in the previous exercise, for me it should not be necessary to have a good online position to stand out in your work or simply to feel fulfilled with what you do, but I do not establish the rules of the world in which we live and it is true that, in the eyes of people who embrace the rules, a person well positioned online stands out more than another person who is not.

I will continue using my social networks unconcerned to make a good impression or have the approval of someone, so I will not publish content that does not represent me or build a different identity.

Alvarocarrena (discuss • contribs) 17:09, 14 March 2019 (UTC)

I'm totally agree and I share the same opinion about all the points you comment, except the reason why someone would lie in a social network. Logically, I'm not talking about hiding information. It is totally understandable that there are specific things about you that you don't want to share. I mean about pretending to be someone that you really aren't. I imagine that the main reason will be to feel admired, loved or respected. Because unfortunately, as you said, "a person well positioned online stands out more than another person who is not". I found a very interesting video made by some students about the use that is currently given to social networks: https://elpais.com/elpais/2017/03/17/videos/1489771199_637456.html. I hope you like it and make you reflect.

Arnaumh (discuss • contribs) 13:11, 17 March 2019 (UTC)

I definitely agree with what you have said here and I think that your mini essay sheds light on many of the same points as my own, I like that you specifically mentioned that you choose what you post as I believe that mechanic online creates an issue for a true representation, as people only see the more polished side of you. I also like that you mentioned that people feel a need to act differently online as it will inevitably lead to a persona that somebody portrays that is in no way reflective of who they truly are. I like that you mentioned that people like to feel fulfilled and I definitely agree that many online feel the need to gain acceptance and admiration online, however I would say that some are happy to use social media as a tool, with ghost accounts, with no followers or photos, not looking for somebody to find them, but simply to keep up with news and interact online anonymously. Great peace, enjoyed the read!

LateRawley (discuss • contribs) 15:22, 17 March 2019 (UTC)

I found the text really interesting and I totally agree with you. You have organized the text into paragraphs and this helps to read correctly.

And00127 (discuss • contribs) 22:36, 17 March 2019 (UTC)

Hi! I think you have raised some very interesting points: social media is really a double-edged sword as it allows us to manipulate how other people see us. As you said, you only post things that makes you appear in a positive light so when you are winning you post about it, but when you are injured you would rather not. In this sense you are filtering what you share with people so you appear in a positive light. I have to say I pretty much do the same: I don`t use social media as a way of getting attention or pity from other people. I generally think this is a good thing, because in most cases in real life you want to show the very best version of yourself on a day to day basis, just like on social media. However, it could be argued that this is a distortion of the truth as we all struggle in real life, we all face difficulties, but most people`s social media accounts don`t reflect that. Watching an endless stream of (seemingly) happy, achieved, fulfilled people on Facebook or Instagram can really produce negative emotions in individuals if they have the tendency to compare their lives with other`s. Of course, I do not mean to suggest that we shouldn`t try to be the very best version of ourselves in both online and offline, I am just trying to highlight the complexity of the issue. Personally, I do agree with you, social media is a great way of promoting and aiming for the best version of ourselves.Marky mark&#38;thefunkybrunch (discuss • contribs) 19:36, 18 March 2019 (UTC)

Wiki Exercise #3: Annotated Bibliography Exercise (Part B)
Graham, M., Hjorth, I., & Lehdonvirta, V. (2017). Digital labour and development: impacts of global digital labour platforms and the gig economy on worker livelihoods. Transfer: European Review of Labour and Research, 23(2), 135-162. https://doi.org/10.1177/1024258916687250

In this article, Graham, Hjorth and Lehdonvirta reflect on impacts of global digital labour and the gig economy on worker livelihoods. The authors want to better understand the influence of both things on the lives of workers and the research method used by them consists of a multi-year study with digital workers in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Their research focuses on indicating the concerns of digital employees to improve their situation, which tends to be precarious despite some benefits. The article is useful to my research topic because it makes me reflect on the advantages and disadvantages that digital labour causes to workers. The main limitation of the piece is that the workers studied belong to cultures other than the Anglo-Saxon and digital labour may affect them differently from an Anglo-Saxon employee. However, I think that the article is well outlined and elaborated. This text will be very useful for me to elaborate my part of the group essay, which focuses on the benefits of digital labour.

Alvarocarrena (discuss • contribs) 18:13, 21 March 2019 (UTC)

Wiki Exercise #4: Collaborative Essay Critical Evaluation - What are Wikis?
One of the projects that has had the most impact on the Internet in recent years has been Wikipedia, both for its organizational form and for the conception and work of the editors. That same idea transferred to textbooks is Wikibooks, a project that claims to be the Great Library of Alexandria of free content textbooks. It consists of organizing a large library that gathers all the available resources in texts of different themes, organized in the manner of a traditional library, where we have a wide variety of contents at our disposal for consultation.

One of the most interesting aspects of Wikibooks is its altruistic character. Access to the content of wikitextbooks is free. "While the development, production and distribution of traditional textbooks are influenced by commercial interests, the wikitextbook was developed collaboratively by faculty and by students, and was made available online free of charge" (Ravid, M. Kalman & Rafaeli, 2008, p. 1).

Wikitextbooks of the platform are classified according to a level of development. Depending on the topic we choose, we will have more or less complete manuals. There are five stages of development. The simplest is the sparse text, while the most complete is the comprehensive text. In between, we find the developing text, the maturing text and the developed text. This feature allows the readers to be aware of the stage of development of the wikitextbook that they are consulting.

In the academic field, wikitextbooks have become a tool to promote student participation in the subjects. The creation of new manuals or the development of existing ones involves them with the knowledges of the modules in a practical and direct way. In this sense, Kidd, O'Shea, Baker, Kaufman and Allen (2008) point out that "students who developed a textbook article utilized the text more, believed they learned more from the textbook portion of the class, and indicated that they were vastly more engaged in the process" (Abstract).

Wikitextbooks also stand out for encouraging participation and debate among publishers. In the case of my Collaborative Essay on Digital Labour, working with Wikibooks has allowed me to listen and reflect on the ideas of my co-workers. In fact, each wikibook has a section called discussion aimed at debate and reflection. It is something that I value positively because I think that cooperation is basic.

Wikibooks is a platform with many positive aspects, but it has shortcomings. There is still a great margin to create quality content, which undoubtedly make the difference in this type of digital libraries, and the catalogue of books in languages ​​other than English is pretty limited. When these aspects improve, Wikibooks will become a great source of knowledge and free culture for a worldwide use, the participation will be increasingly high, and the community will be truly involved in the creation process.

Alvarocarrena (discuss • contribs) 19:44, 2 April 2019 (UTC)

INSTRUCTOR FEEDBACK: ENGAGEMENT ON DISCUSSION PAGES & CONTRIBS
Grade descriptors for Engagement: Engagement on discussion pages, and contribs of this standard attain the following grade descriptor. Whereas not all of the elements here will be directly relevant to your particular response to the brief, this descriptor will give you a clearer idea of how the grade you have been given relates to the standards and quality expected of work at this level:
 * Contributions of this standard do not address the assignment requirements. They offer little to no engagement with the concerns of the module. They are poorly written. Entries of this grade may have been subject to admin warnings or take-down notices for copyright infringement. The wiki markup formatting will be more or less non-existent.

As instructed in the labs, and outlined in the assessment brief documentation, students should be engaging at least once a day, for the duration of the project. The following points illustrate how this engagement is evaluated.

Evidence from contribs to both editing and discussion of content (i.e. volume and breadth of editorial activity as evidenced through ‘contribs’). These are primarily considered for quality rather than quantity, but as a broad guideline:
 * Each item on a contribs list that are 3000+ characters are deemed “considerable”
 * Each item on a contribs list that are 2000+ characters are deemed “significant”
 * Each item on a contribs list that are 1000+ characters are deemed “substantial”
 * Items on a contribs list that are <1000 characters are important, and are considered in the round when evaluating contribs as a whole because of their aggregate value

Overall:
 * Little or none in evidence

Engagement with and learning from the community on Discussion Pages
 * Evidence of peer-assisted learning and collaboration
 * Little or none in evidence
 * Evidence of reading, sharing, and application of research to the essay
 * Little or none in evidence
 * Evidence of peer-review of others’ work
 * Little or none in evidence

Reflexive, creative and well-managed use of Discussion Pages
 * Clear delegation of tasks
 * Little or none in evidence
 * Clearly labelled sections and subsections
 * Little or none in evidence
 * Contributions are all signed
 * Little or none in evidence

Civility. Your conduct is a key component of any collaboration, especially in the context of an online knowledge-building community. Please respect others, as well as observe the rules for civility on wiki projects. All contribs are moderated.
 * Satisfactory

GregXenon01 (discuss • contribs) 15:11, 1 May 2019 (UTC)

Instructor Feedback on Wiki Exercise Portfolio
Posts and comments on other people’s work, of this standard, roughly correspond to the following grade descriptor. Depending on where your actual mark is in relation to the making criteria as outlined in the relevant documentation, it should give you an idea of strengths and weaknesses within the achieved grade band overall:


 * Good. Among other things, good entries will make a clear point in a clear way. They will relate concepts to original examples in a straightforward fashion. They will make effective use of the possibilities of the form (including links, as well as perhaps copyright-free videos and images, linked to from Wiki Commons). They may also demonstrate a broader understanding of the module's themes and concerns, and are likely to show evidence of reading and thinking about the subject material. The wiki markup formatting will be very clear.


 * There is some really good work in here, and generally all of your posts are completed and on time. This work is at the lower end of this grade band, so there’s some room for improvement here, chiefly, that you have omitted the final peer-review element on Ex4. I think in order to engage with the wiki exercises a bit more, it might be useful for you to look at the Grade Descriptors and criteria in the module handbook to get more of an idea of how to hit those targets.


 * Making more use of the wiki functionality and markup would have gone some way to improving fluidity and functionality of posts. But generally, very organised and tidy.


 * Re: responses to other people’s posts – these are fairly good, although see my comment above.

General:
 * Reading and research: evidence of critical engagement with set materials - ok; evidence of independent reading of appropriate academic and peer-reviewed material – ok.


 * Argument and analysis: well-articulated and well-supported argument - ok; evidence of critical thinking (through taking a position in relation to key ideas from the module, and supporting this position) - ok; evidence of relational thinking (through making connections between key ideas from the module and wider literature, and supporting these connections) -ok; evidence of independent critical ability – ok.


 * Presentation: good use of wiki markup and organisational skills.

GregXenon01 (discuss • contribs) 16:12, 1 May 2019 (UTC)