Topic 1 – Digital “Visitors” and Digital “Residents”

Who is digital visitors? Who is digital residents? What do they do and why digital? This blog-post will explain the two different concepts.

The term resident means residing at a place which briefly also explains the term digital residents they “resides” online.

Spending most of their time creating multiple identities for different communities online, as they have different image to portray to each community. Digital residents feel more comfortable expressing themselves through online platforms and spend time in maintaining it regularly. Forming a larger social circle of online friends compared to reality. Using social media platforms to maintain friendships online. At the same time bringing daily recreations online example: shopping, watching movies online and etc; Giving a portion of their life to the internet.

Digital “visitors” are unlike the “residents”. They are the ones that goes online for a purpose. Example, a digital visitor decides to go on a vacation, he/she will go online to book their air tickets and once he/she is done they go off. They hardly spend time online unless with a specific purpose. Probably will just have 1 online identity to follow the trend/majority to have a social media account(Facebook, Twitter). They are unable to stay online for long without a purpose.

With the lack of knowledge about online communities and don’t really express themselves much as they are unsure about the environment. They will have the tendency to seek other alternatives (offline) besides the internet example to maintain relationships.

My point of view is that people who are awkward or uncomfortable socializing face-to-face would probably go online to express themselves. Personalities that are less social-able, outgoing or low self esteem. Individual that prefers socializing through a “medium”. Personally, i think myself a digital “tenant”, a combination of both. I like to socialize around alot but in order to maintain and keep up with my friends i would require help from social platforms. I can say nearly all my friends have a Facebook account. Yes, i could stay all day online playing games for leisure but it’s a form of stress-relief activity, i’ll go online to play weekly but not daily activity.

image source : https://joconlonoctel2013.wordpress.com/tag/digital-residents/

Each individual have their own preference on which way they are more comfortable in expressing themselves, some just live in the online world taking it as internet is part of their life.

References
http://efoundations.typepad.com/efoundations/2008/09/residents-and-v.html [accessed 30 Oct 2015]

http://elearningstuff.net/2008/09/30/are-you-a-resident-or-a-visitor/
[accessed 30 Oct 2015]

http://www.semantico.com/2009/11/the-challenge-of-online-identity/
[accessed 30 Oct 2015]

White, D. S., & Cornu, A. L. (2011). Visitors and Residents: A new typology for online engagement.First Monday, 16(9).

Self-Test

1. Accessing, managing and evaluating online information – 3/5
   As me myself shop online quite often, reading reviews is important before purchasing the item(s). I would like to improve myself on evaluating information online
2. Participating in online communities – 2/5
   Participate I a few to socialize around to make new friends. Not really good in joining enriching online communities.
3. Building online networks around an area of interest – 3/5
   I myself have personal interests and made some connections with similar interest friends to share and learn to gain more knowledge
4. Collaborating with others – 3/5
   Personally I like to socialize around and make new friends, not much problem playing a team player but would want to improve myself to be a better team player.
5. Creating online materials (text, audio, images, video) – 2/5
   Better in creating those through mobiles rather than online, hope to learn more about this through this module.
6. Managing your online identity – 3/5
   I’m quite alright with my current identity but would want to learn more in enhancing my identity. What to be aware of.
7. Managing your online privacy and security – 2/5
   Nothing can escape from the internet I can. I would want to gain more knowledge on securing my information online.

Set a goal for myself to hit at least 4/5 for each checkpoint by the end of this module.

Introduction

Hello, I’m Emilia Quek student of University Of Southampton, Bsc in Marketing. Schooling at SIMGE.  I’m an aspiring barista, so anything with coffee! Hit me with any place you think there’s good coffee. And my header, yes I’m into sneakers.

This blog will be in constant update with posts on my reflection of #MANG2049 “tutorials”  with my suggestions and point of view. Feel free to comment on it so i can comment back on your’s! Do follow me on twitter as i will follow you back ! Twitter widget is by the side bar!