E-professionalism is a topic that I have personally thought a lot about as I have a Facebook account, a Twitter account and hope to soon be resurrecting my blog - MusicTherapy365. I am also involved in e-learning and creating course content for online courses related to music therapy. I congratulate the author of this discussion for raising some very valid concerns, especially with regards to the type of posts that individuals are making. According to recent research that I read on e-learning, over fifty percent of employers and at least thirty percent of post-secondary institutions of learning are performing background checks on potential applicants. While students of the "digital generation" may be technologically savvy, they may not be "ethically" or "future-aware" of the implications of utilizing technologies such as "texting" and social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace or Twitter. Indeed, once something has been placed into the public realm via the internet, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to retract that information.
Here are some additional tips that I have found related to the fostering of a e-professionalism.
Control your content. Some professionals that I know have two Facebook accounts. One account is personal, often using a pseudonym instead of their real name, with very strong restrictions on privacy and confidentiality. The second account is related to their professional work, and is more public in nature. In this way they are able to control and monitor postings that reflect who they are and what they are doing.
Practice proper netiquette in your postings. Civility and responsible/professional behaviour can sometimes be lost in "the heat of the moment". Always take time before responding to think through your response to an individual or a situation. Badmouthing a colleague or being overly critical of someone is never a good idea.
Develop your own "Personal Learning Network (PLN). Essentially, a PLN is a network of friends and/or colleagues whom you utilize to solve difficult issues that arise in regards to your employment and professional practice, whom share your interests and from whom you can learn and grow in your own practice. This can even be done when you are a student.
Share only links and resources of value. I am a member of the web tool called StumbleUpon. It is a great source of information and a great way to find new and interesting resources. (It can also be used to waste LOTS of time!). However, before I share a link that I have "stumbled upon" with my PLN, I consider it very carefully. There are increasing numbers of videos and websites about music therapy on the net. I, personally, only want to promote those that present an accurate and positive view of music therapy. It gives individuals the perception that I care about my work, that I care how music therapy is portrayed. It also increases the perceived value of my newfound links amongst my PLN and individuals with whom I correspond.
I will finish by saying that there are also issues that we must face on an institutional/association level. Our Codes of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice are outdated when it comes to the internet and digital information in general. Before we leap into e-learning and the use of resources such as blogs, podcasts and videoconferencing, we must examine and explore the implications of doing so. By doing so, we can avoid some of the pitfalls that may arise and utilize the tremendous resource that the internet and the "digital domain" represents in the best possible manner.
E-professionalism is a topic that I have personally thought a lot about as I have a Facebook account, a Twitter account and hope to soon be resurrecting my blog - MusicTherapy365. I am also involved in e-learning and creating course content for online courses related to music therapy. I congratulate the author of this discussion for raising some very valid concerns, especially with regards to the type of posts that individuals are making. According to recent research that I read on e-learning, over fifty percent of employers and at least thirty percent of post-secondary institutions of learning are performing background checks on potential applicants. While students of the "digital generation" may be technologically savvy, they may not be "ethically" or "future-aware" of the implications of utilizing technologies such as "texting" and social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace or Twitter. Indeed, once something has been placed into the public realm via the internet, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to retract that information.
Here are some additional tips that I have found related to the fostering of a e-professionalism.
I will finish by saying that there are also issues that we must face on an institutional/association level. Our Codes of Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice are outdated when it comes to the internet and digital information in general. Before we leap into e-learning and the use of resources such as blogs, podcasts and videoconferencing, we must examine and explore the implications of doing so. By doing so, we can avoid some of the pitfalls that may arise and utilize the tremendous resource that the internet and the "digital domain" represents in the best possible manner.