My Digital Space
I have admitted before on my blog that I know I spend too much time using technology. I use technology all day professionally for both my teaching and coaching job. I then come home and use it for more professional work such as my classes. As well as personal use for mindless scrolling or to plan my wedding. I loved creating this map of my digital space because I truly got to see where my time goes and what sites I am using the most. I found it interesting though to analyze which websites I am a visitor and which I am a resident.
 |
| Source: Created by Blog Owner |
SURPRISE!
When placing my most used apps and bookmarks on the digital map there were a few surprises. The first surprise was realizing I placed Google Sheets in relatively the same area as the social media app, Instagram. Instagram is an app I use daily for both professional and personal use. Professionally I have a teacher account that I am definitely a visitor on. I don’t post very much on that account. I also run my cheerleading team's Instagram account where I do post often. Hence why it is hovering the personal versus professional line. Google Sheets is something I use daily in both my personal and professional life. In my teaching job all data is pretty much housed in a Google Sheet. I lesson plan using Google Sheets. I love being organized. Therefore, it wouldn’t sound crazy to know all my wedding planning, house searching, budgeting, and more is all done using Google Sheets as well. I even have the Google Sheets app on my phone for easy access. Now the surprise is not that I use it a lot. I know this! The surprise was I placed it so closely to a social media app I use. I would have never made the connection that I use them in similar amounts or in a similar capacity.
Another surprise I noticed was I don’t have a lot of websites or apps in the upper left quadrant. There aren’t a whole lot of websites I use professionally (that I can think of) where I am just a visitor. Youtube is the biggest website in that quadrant, which I kind of thought was funny. I use Youtube in my classroom for visual timers, brain breaks, and just to engage students in my lessons.
Most Used Goes To…
 |
| Source: Personal Screen Shot |
Consider This
I do think my digital status changes at different times. I am very conscious of not doing most teaching related work at home. I try to set the boundary of doing teaching work during contract hours only. Therefore, my evenings and weekends are for personal scrolling and projects. Except for doing work for my graduate classes. Likewise during the day, my technology usage is kept professional with very minimal personal use except for perhaps sending a quick text message or checking my personal email. Do you try to keep the work life balance? All tips and tricks are welcome!
Hi Ashley!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog! I feel like we have a lot in common, in fact as I was going through your old blogs I saw you are a cheer coach at Leyden! I teach math at Leyden and am the freshman B volleyball coach!
Anyway, I also enjoyed this activity because it was fun to analyze how much time I spend on different apps and websites! I think it's very brave (and smart) that you looked at your app usage! I turned the notifications off because I'm so embarrassed by the amount of time I am on my phone!
I also noticed that you included Etsy, that is one of my favorite apps as well!
I love Google Sheets as well, I bet you use it a lot right now while you are planning your wedding! I use it both personally and professionally too!
I enjoyed reading your response, maybe I'll see you around Leyden soon!
Hey Ashley!
DeleteNo way, what a small world! I will probably see you around at some point!
The app usage is also embarrassing to me as well. There some days I can't believe the number it shows. I try not to look at it, but decided it would be helpful for this assignment.
Hi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I liked that you included the screenshot of you app usage. I didn't even think of checking that when making my map. I'm definitely going to check mine now (I'm sure it's going to have too much screen time). I'm also in my wedding planning season! That alone has increased my personal Pinterest usage. Typically, I use Pinterest professionally to help me plan out children's programs and books displays. Good luck!
Hi Monica,
DeletePinterest and Tik-Tok have been great during planning. There are so many ideas and makes you feel like you are not alone in the chaos. Good luck wedding planning!
We all struggle with the answer to this question "Do you try to keep the work-life balance?". Technology intrudes into so many aspects of our lives. Even though it seems unavoidable, tricks to control time on technology include the same that we were taught as kids i.e."Do what you are doing". And so during work use technology exclusively for work. But when doing other activities, stay away. Easier said than done. I even sometimes use meditation/stretching to distract myself from the time I normally would use strolling on my phone. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI should try taking a walk when I want to scroll so I can get up and be active. Thanks for the idea!
DeleteI love that a productivity application like Sheets holds as much luster for you as a social media application!
ReplyDeleteSheets is my bff!
DeleteThank you for your post! To echo the sentiments of other commenters, I think you're very brave for including a screenshot of your screen time app-- I refuse to look at it because I know the feedback it will give me would probably be so embarrassing, simply because of how much time I waste on apps like TikTok. It seems like your technology usage right now is very prevalent both professionally and personally- do you think if you were to repeat this process at a different time (maybe after this school year is done and you've finished all of your wedding planning) that your map would be drastically different?
ReplyDeleteIt is also embarrassing for me too. I am not going to lie, when I took that screenshot it was probably earlier in the day because by the time I go to bed, those numbers are higher.
DeleteThat is such a good question! I do think if I were to do this map like next summer or even after winter break after all the craziness is over that my map would look different. I know for sure things like Etsy wouldn't be where they are and I would an app like Kindle is something I get to use more for enjoyment.