Month: October 2022

“The individual user has moved from being an anonymous part of a mass to being the center of the media picture”

-Clark and Aufderheide on social media (2011)

Social media and PLN’s are interactive public medias that have revolutionized how we connect with our communities. Prior to these networked publics, people relied on print, radio, and television to inform them on the issues their communities face but these older and limited models of media were missing one crucial factor for enabling change – active participation. So, how can we use social media to connect and participate with our communities to have meaningful impact, and what parameters must be met in order to be effective?

Social Media

With the smartphone revolution, many of us walk around with computers in our pockets, making it easier than ever to access and participate in media that benefits our lives, and the lives of others. Social media networks have become a mass means for people to be informed of the critical issues in their local, national, and even global communities. The rise of the hashtag has made it even easier to connect with like minded individuals and ideas that support our worldviews and desire for change.  This active participation not only brings people together as they share their experiences and ideas for their communities but it is a continuous means to critically engage with the many issues that society inevitably faces, which is a huge transformation from old-school media purposes.

How we can utilize public networks for change?

In his interview with Jesse Miller, Markiel Simpson – a local community activist who uses social media to spread his messaging and advance human rights – discusses how he (and others) utilize social media to create change in their communities.

1. align to advocacy programs
2. connect to community
3. engage with the political landscape
4. meet people they align with
5. help advance messaging
6. listen to diverse perspectives

Above: Simpson and Miller’s Interview

Reminder: to critically engage, our PLN’s Must:

• be inclusive – everyone should have the opportunity to see themselves represented and have access to digital environments that can better their communities
• be diverse –  expand your audience – be mindful of whose voices are included, and whose are not in online interactions

Keeping our PLN’s diverse and inclusive provides us opportunities to find our voice and share it confidently with others as we build alliances with like minded individuals and groups and expand our views through multiple perspectives. Social media allows us access to contribute to our communities in meaningful and historically inaccessible ways, which is an exciting revolution in how we can have impact on many levels – all with the computers in our pockets.

My colleagues blog on community engagement:

Blog #7

In their blog, Yuxin discusses practical ways in which we can be more diverse, inclusive, and safe in our online interactions. I appreciate their suggestion to amplify the view of others by highlighting their thoughts and ideas on our own PLN’s. This is also a great way to attract other like-minded individuals and signal our beliefs and values on our sites. Yuxin also mentions using surveys to gather information on community opinions and opposing ideas being spread based on the results of these surveys. I think that is the gift (and sometimes curse) of networked publics – although there can be a great duality of ideas and values online, everyone has the opportunity to be heard.

References:

Clark, J., Aufderheide, P. (2011). A New Vision for Public Media. In: Jansen, S.C., Pooley, J., Taub-Pervizpour, L. (eds) Media and Social Justice. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.1057/9780230119796_5

MILLER. (2021). EDCI – 338 Markiel Simpson [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsoDHGaXNNs

Social media campaigns have the potential to raise awareness, increase engagement, and spread wide-scale messages. Successful campaigns are so effective because they are user-generated and inspire collaboration, connection, and most importantly – action. Below are a few strategies from Woods (2013), that I would  follow before engaging with social media campaigns via my PLN – to ensure I am engaging with my audience effectively and respectfully.

• Consider my audience – What message am I trying to send, and who do I want to reach?
• Ask and listen – Reach out to online community with questions. Engage with other users
• Check out multiple platforms – Take into account the platforms unique audience and features
• Consider multiple perspectives – Seek out people in similar but different industries to consider differing perspectives
• Be authentic – Ensure my PLN is reflecting who I am by being open and honest

Political, Social & Environmental Change

Social media campaigns can have many purposes from sales to brand awareness to impactful change.  The best social media campaigns engage users with content that is meaningful to them. The Shorty Impact Awards is an international program dedicated to honoring the most purposeful and impactful social media campaigns that organizations are providing to make the world a better place. Here is a link to the Shorty Impact Awards 2022 finalists. I am sure you will all recognize a few of these.

My colleagues blog:

Keira’s blog does a great job at bringing personal experience into social media campaigns. I also appreciate that she includes the importance of discourse with the individuals or groups with whom the campaign aims to help. This is an important step to any meaningful change and/or impact because without understanding and appropriate execution  – people will not engage with a social media campaign.

Engaging your PLN

References:

Woods, B. (2013, November). Building Your Own PLN: seeking new insights and ideas? Expand your personal learning network. American Society for Training and Development.

Dr. Bradley Baker is a member of the Squamish nation and has been involved in education for over 20 years (Miller, 2021). He has taken on the role of an educator, District Principle of the North Vancouver school district , Executive Director of the BC Ministry of Education and more recently – the Associate Superintendent of Indigenous Education for BC. His influence and  involvement in bettering education for BC students can be witnessed through his community communications and professional roles. This week, I listened to an interview with Dr. Baker in which he identify the themes of using a PLN in a professional capacity and expanded on them to consider what/which social media platforms are beneficial in education and how we can be thoughtful to ensure everyone is included and protected when accessing and using online networks to enhance learning.

Themes of using a professional PLN in education:

PLN’s in education can be so much more than sharing lesson plans and blowing off steam with colleagues. PLN’s should provide a means for educators to take charge of their professional development and connect with other professionals to stay current on best practices, local/global issues, and strategies to better their communities. In his interview, Dr. Baker discussed themes of PLN use in education that are meaningful to him and how he enacts these ideas via his PLN networks.

Political conversations – PLN’s can be effective in sharing POV and current issues within society. Below is a recent example of Dr. Baker using his PLN to  share his support of a local mayoral candidate.

100% agree with you. @LindaCBuchanan is walking the path. She has my family’s vote. https://t.co/xtY2c7Fr0U

— Brad Baker (@bradleyrbaker) October 11, 2022

Support system/relationship building – Creating strong networks of support is crucial in education to engage in professional dialogue.

Community initiatives -PLN networks can help us to become positive contributors to society

Share stories – Social media can humanize our professional roles by sharing personal and familial stories.

Miller (2021)

Which social media platforms are beneficial in education?

There are so many social media platforms and I won’t pretend to know them all. I am however learning the importance of Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and even TikTok in educational environments to enhance learning for educators and students. I aim to use these platforms in a professional capacity to build connections with colleagues, discover diverse perspectives, engage with my community, and further my professional development. I also want to practice and model digital literacy as I utilize social media platforms in my future classrooms for my students to realize the same benefits that social media can provide for their own educational journeys.

How does social media fit into professionalism and regulations when working with the vulnerable sector?

When implementing social media into our professional careers we must be mindful of multiple perspectives and underrepresented voices. In his interview, Dr. Baker discusses the value of social media as a means to hear the ‘true’ story of individuals and communities experiences versus what mainstream media (and their inherent biases) provide. When using social media in a professional capacity we must also be mindful of the ethics involved (ie. privacy) and conduct ourselves in a way that is inclusive to all populations.

Below is another example of a local educator – Jeff Hopkins (founder and principal of PSII) – utilizing his PLN to engage in discourse regarding policies in education.

Hey #bced, does your district have good, clear, unambiguous policy or administrative procedures regarding the selection of learning materials? Given the book-banning in the US & a surge in trustee candidates in this election who have promised to make big changes, worth examining.

— Jeff Hopkins (@hopkinsjeff) October 2, 2022

References: 

MILLER. (2021). Brad Baker EDCI 338 [Video]. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5z8iHxW2n4

Shelley Moore, a local teacher, learner and inclusive education advocate states that “diversity and inclusion is where we value the characteristics that are diverse, and try not to homogenize them” (2016). While building our personal learning networks (PLN’s), it is crucial that we not only follow Moore’s words and value each others’ unique characteristics and diversities but we must also be willing to create safe and productive learning networks that can adapt and evolve over time.

How diverse is my PLN?

My personal learning network is in the building stages but I believe I am learning from, and with, numerous different individuals, groups, and communities. While building my PLN on Twitter, I try to follow professionals’ with varying points of view, gender, abilities, cultures, religions and socio-economic status. The connections I have made through all social media networks are diverse in nature and I hope to continue expanding my interactions and learnings from unique voices and perspectives in my professionally curated digital communities.

Am I learning from a variety of diverse voices and expanding my understanding of the views of others?

Diverse voices can be found everywhere, but they can only be learned from if their contributions and perspectives are valued and integrated into our learning. I understand the importance of recognizing how our differences affect and influence how we learn and see the world and I welcome opportunities to examine my preconceptions, ideas, and opinions while developing awareness and empathy of others. I also try to remain mindful of whose voices are included and excluded, from my digital networks.

What am I hoping to learn from my PLN?

Through my PLN, I am hoping to:

• be provoked and challenged
• align my values with my practice
• take risks
• find opportunities where I am needed
• learn from others and their experiences
• interact with diverse perspectives and value others contributions
• be vulnerable and authentic

How will I ensure my exposure to diversity and inclusion continues?

I will continue to seek out and celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences of others as I expand on my PLN and carry on my life-long learning journey. I will also continue to follow voices, like Shelly Moore’s – who are breaking barriers in inclusive education and what it means to co-construct meaningful spaces  where we all belong, with purpose.

Shelley Moore – Show Me the Purpose. This idea works with inclusive learning practices as well as connecting with others through our digital learning environments.

Resources:

Moore, Shelley. One Without the Other : Stories of Unity Through Diversity and Inclusion, Portage & Main Press, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uvic/detail.action?docID=4832579.
Created from uvic on 2022-10-03 18:42:01.