My experience with using online social media and digital composition is very limited. I have never taken an interest in sites like Facebook and Pinterest, let alone personal blogging, so this is all very new to me. The extent of my internet presence is limited to online gaming which is a bit unfortunate because I realize certain online practices like digital composition can be very beneficial to one's personal growth (as a writer and as a person). When one takes into consideration that our identities are formed by our environments which includes our interactions with other people, the internet then plays a huge role in the development of our identities. The internet allows for us to connect with people that we would otherwise never get the opportunity to speak and collaborate with. One can reach an entirely new audience, a new demographic through the internet and I see that as a positive aspect of using social media. Along with a broadened audience, the internet also allows users a bigger pool of knowledge to draw from. The resources available are diverse, convenient, and accessible which allows users opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable to them. On the flip-side, I think such technology can prove to be disadvantageous to users as well if they are not educated in how to use the resources the internet provides. For instance, one needs to know how to determine if a piece of work is legitimate – is the information factual and accurate, or is it entirely made up? Misinformation is easy to come by on the internet and if users don't understand how to find sources, they may be incorporating false information into their own work. Another way in which the internet may prove to be harmful rather than beneficial to users looking to improve their writing is with online criticism. Criticism can become bullying very quickly online especially with the added element of anonymity. That being said, I believe the pros outweigh the cons. The cons can be avoided quite easily if one knows how to use the resources at hand (this includes finding mature company that will give constructive criticism rather than resorting to bullying in regards to one's work).

As a future educator, I see online social media and digital composition as a positive in the classroom. Our students will of course be very interested and well-versed in such things and one of the best ways to reach our students is by incorporating their interests with the lesson plan! By bringing in a digital element to the course, I think we can effectively capture the interest of students, all the while we would be encouraging them to take their internet usage beyond the social aspect with academics. By applying academic content to a relevant setting (the internet) for students, I think they will feel more motivated and involved in their learning.

On his blog, Professor Ray Schroederwrites writes briefly about blended learning and links to a very interestingarticle on the subject. He seems to share the same concerns I have about using technology to learn and stresses that it is important to remember that online learning does not mean one lets their students run wild; rather, the teacher must continue to engage the students in regards to the content and keep communication open.