Do web technologies enhance professional practice?

This was the topic we discussed at the session on the 8th Feb. After the session I left feeling positive and ready to start this course.

First of all we discussed the pros and cons of social networking in our profession. Naturally we found lots to discuss as we all use networking sites in our everyday lives.
The pros we discussed were:

• Access to a database of millions.
• More opportunities, access to casting directors/ agents.
• Receive emails/info instantly.
• Find more confidence in approaching people by hiding behind emails.
• Access info on any job/show/techniques.
• Post your profile for millions to see and cast through.

The cons were:

• Not speaking to people face to face and creating a bond.
• There are still people in the industry from the generation before social networking.
• Not everything is true that you read online.
• Miss communication technology can fail at any time.
• Cannot fully portray yourself through text and images.
• Your information could fall into the wrong hands.

These are all ideas I am now going to explore further and develop my thoughts on.
One thing I realised was something that could be a positive for one person may not be for me so I need to reflect on what is positive and negative with using  social networking  for my own personal situation. I need to remind myself why I use these sites and focus on that. Verity made a good point that we seem to get distracted and end up following other peoples lives instead of maybe focusing on own. I think this is true for a lot of people it is easy to forget why we are using the web, sometimes following other people is of great benefit but I think there is a fine line between professional and social when it comes to these sites and that is something that can easily get blured into one. This is a topic I will personally be focusing on and try to really create that separation.

I personally don't normally following trends or what the majority of people are doing, for example i won't buy the new style of trousers just because that's what everyone is wearing I will buy it if it suits me. I found I was the same with social networking I never wanted a facebook account as much as everyone persuaded me I didn't want one. Then realising it could benefit my career I gave in and got one and it really has benefited me in that way, however being on such sites has distracted me from the real reason I went on in the first place and I feel my views and opinions are getting influenced by other people more easily than they would do in life already. For example: If making an important decision I would have consulted my close family and friends who would have influenced my decision now I am more likely to share this with my online network, some may think this is a benefit, you are getting a much wider range of opinions and views this is something I would like to explore and get your opinions on.

From these discussions on the 8th I really believe we should reflect day to day why we are social networking and make sure we are using it positively. I realise that it is ok to not come to a conclusion straight away my thoughts are going to change on this subject and that is something I'm going to enjoy exploring.