Qualified Self
Since I do not use any kind of self tracking apps, it is hard to answer this question. The only thing I can think of that would be even close to this that I use is my Google calendar. I typically use this app for everything.
I use this app to catalog the dates and times of events that I need to attend. I use it to remind me of my internships that I have to be at. I use it to remind me which days I’m going to work and for how long. I use it for repeat events like the birthdays of my friends and family. I also use it to keep up with which days I’m going to teach for my internships and what I’m going to teach that day.
I usually have my alarm go off 1 to 2 days before the event. This way I have time to prepare before hand. Also, so I will already have it on my mind by the time I’m supposed to go. It keeps me from forgetting these events.
This app could definitely be improved by allowing Siri to make more accurate events. Siri allows you to make general events, but you cannot add specifics times for alerts and locations. Updating this function in the app would be very helpful for people like me who have to make events while they are going down the road.
I see a lot of potential for this app in the future. You can make it more specific and add tabs to the app for specific things like medicine, health, education, etc. That way, when you want to make a specific event it can be color-coded and in a proper tab within the app.
I’m not on social media very often and I definitely do not post my Google calendar events online. I do not think people should be privy to that information unless I am supposed to meet up with a group and they want to know when I am available. I could post my schedule so that they would know, but that is a little too much information to be posted.
I really have no opinion on self tracking since it is not something I do. For myself, using the calendar makes me less stressed, so I guess that is good. I feel like if it makes you more motivated to do something then, yes, definitely post and share it with people.
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As someone else who doesn’t (deliberately) use self-tracking, I agree that it can be kind of difficult to really see the purpose in it. I think my final paragraph was a bit more neutral standing than yours was, and after reading your post I think I agree with you more. I’d forgotten that it is a very good think when people who benefit from using these technologies are motivated to try harder, even if that means our Facebook feeds will be clogged with their posts.
I tried self-tracking, but eventually got out of the habit because I felt such a negative emotional pressure if I didn’t live up to the goals set for me by the app. So in many cases, it’s hard for me to understand why people continue to use self-tracking apps, and especially why they post to social media about their use. But I think it’s important to remember that in many cases, posting to social media can help people stay accountable and on track, and maybe it also just provides them happiness – and that’s not any of my business to judge.
Hey Kate, thanks for sharing! As I read your post, I was wondering, is there a specific reason why you haven’t tried tracking apps? I only tried some when this class started, but I found that there’s one that I like and still use. I’d also like to pose the question, how could google calendar become more of a self tracking app? If it helps, think back to our in-class, app development activity. What would the inputs/outputs be?