I really enjoyed creating the V&R Map this week. It allowed me to think about the different online platforms I use and reflect on how I use them. I spent time carefully thinking about each platform, specifically what I use it for, in order to find the right place for it on my map. I started by coming up with a list of different platforms that are a part of my digital identity. I was very surprised to see how many different platforms I came up with. I know that I use different online resources every day, but actually writing them down and seeing it all together was very interesting. I know that there are so many digital resources that I use every day, but putting this all together really showed me how the Internet is such a big part of my life, and how much impact it has on my day to day activities. I feel that I came up with quite a few different platforms, but I still feel like there are several missing, and I believe that my map could have been larger if I did some more hard thinking about all of the resources I use online.

I believe a lot of the platforms I have on my map can be used by students to develop their professional network. However, I do not know of many students that are using online platforms to do this at the moment. I am starting my third year of university, so it is still early, and we still have time to create these professional networks. The main platform I have seen being used by students to develop their professional network is a WordPress blog. Everyone in my program had to create one of these blogs for school this past year, and many students have been using it very professionally to organize and keep track of their work. I have noticed a few Instagram accounts that have been created to document the path to a future career goal. For example, someone in my cohort last year created an account to post updates along the way to becoming a teacher. As well, I have a friend who is currently in culinary school, and she created an Instagram account to document and share different recipes and food she makes. These accounts help connect with others in the field and help expand professional learning networks.

I believe that building relationships with other professionals in your field is a great way to expand your professional learning network. Personally, I still have connections and contact with some of my old teachers, as well as some family and friends who are teachers. I know that I could ask them anything and they would be happy to help me learn by answering my questions. Another area I will build professional relationships is at the schools that I do my field experience and practicums in. The staff at these schools are there to help me learn, gain experience, and expand my knowledge, so if I connect with them, I would have them in my learning network. Another way I would expand my professional learning network is through social media. I think having professional accounts would help build connections with other people in my field. Whether I reach out to them or the other way around, or just follow what they post, this is a way to build a community that can share resources and information to benefit everyone. I have also seen many teachers Instagram and TikTok accounts that can be used for inspiration and ideas for my future career. I have not yet figured out what platform(s) I would use to expand my professional learning network, but I do have time to think about and plan this.

If I applied for a job, I do believe that the potential employer would be able to search my name and find me online, including some of my social media accounts. However, I do not believe that anything they would find would hinder the opportunity of my employment because I am always careful with what I post and have never posted anything inappropriate. I also believe that if they were to find my WordPress blog, it would be beneficial for me in my career path, because it shows the work I have done towards becoming a teacher. I have posted a large number of my lesson/unit plans on here, as well as some other assignments with important information I have learned about becoming a teacher.