Month: November 2022

If someone had asked me what a PLN was prior to this course, I would have had a vague answer for them. Having the opportunity to learn the importance of a personalized learning network and how to apply social media to support my learning journey has been extremely beneficial for my professional development. Understanding the risks and rewards of public communications has also made me more confident to expand my PLN and engage with others in a safe and productive manner.

So, how is my PLN going?

My PLN has expanded considerably since the beginning of term. I have created myself a professional Twitter account, which I am engaging with daily. I am still in the early ‘apprehensive’ stages of jumping into discourse with other educators but I am learning a lot from observing their interactions and following more and more diverse voices everyday. I have also started creating a LinkedIn account to strengthen my professional relationships and connect with potential employers in the future. Continuing to use platforms such as Slack, Matter Most, and Discord will also ensure that I remain connected with the colleagues I have had the opportunity to learn with and from throughout the years.

Has my perspective of social media in personal vs. private settings changed?

Not really. I have never been a huge social media user, whether personal or professional. The biggest change that has occurred for me is my confidence with technology and reflecting who I am, on diverse platforms. I previously used pseudonyms when engaging online but have recently started attaching my name to my accounts so I can be recognized as I engage professionally. Learning new skills has helped me to determine my needs as well as relevant professional goals and I now know how to achieve them through connected networks and my PLN.

Moving forward

Lifelong learning requires effort. As I move forward with curating my PLN I want to remain mindful of the active involvement that is necessary to really benefit from learning networks. I also aim to reflect on the connections I am making to ensure that I am aligning my values with my practice as I interact online.

Big Thanks!

Thanks to all of my colleagues in this course, and to Jesse Miller, for helping me to confidently engage online, learn new skills, and develop an understanding of what a PLN is and how to advance my professional career with the meaningful connections I make online. Cheers!

My colleagues blog:

Yuxin, it sounds like we had many of the same take-aways from this course and curating our PLN’s moving forward. I agree with you that privacy on the internet is often overlooked and ignored by users. Like you, I am glad to know more about data privacy and security so that I can move about digital networks with confidence. Thanks for your insights and have a great holiday!

Blog # 11

As we have learned throughout this course, professional learning networks are associated with effective professional development. A successful PLN will aid in collaboration, communication, and professional opportunities. Van Dijk (2006) describes this interactivity of digital media as a shift in the balance of power – with the user in control of their learning. Since we are in control of our own learning, how can we best move our PLN’s  forward to engage in future relationships and career opportunities on a larger scale? And what does that look like?

To help me answer these questions, I listened to the Wakelet Podcast titled, ‘The Benefits of Growing your Network & PLN!’ (2022). Below is what I have learned.

Can our PLN’s be used to help professional development post-course?

During the podcast, Storer (2022) mentions the power of Twitter and using  it to gain new experiences, meet new people, grow her network and continuing to connect with people before and after conferences (5:51).

Wilson (2022) discusses the fact that networking previously happened through attending in-person  conferences but once COVID hit – she had to pivot to using Wakelet and other online professional opportunities to enhance her learning. She also uses Twitter to connect with other professionals and make meaningful connections with people whom she has never met in person (8:39).

Both professionals on the Wakelet team use Twitter and virtual conferences as a great way to continuously engage  with our PLN’s to expand our connections and opportunities that are afforded by digital networks. As a teacher-in-training, I know that conferences will be a big part of my professional development but I now know that Twitter is an excellent platform to engage with other professionals before, during, and especially after conferences to continue to grow and learn as  an educator.

The Wakelet teams’ advice on engaging with other professionals pre and post conference:

• It is okay to ‘lurk’ in the beginning – when you first join its okay to just observe but at some point you want to participate in conversations, and meet new people because the benefits are immense
• You have to get uncomfortable – be willing to put yourself out there in online communities to grow professionally
• Take the first step – reach out to one person and grow connections through following similar people (recommended lists on Twitter are a great start)

(Storer & Wilson, 2022, 40:00-42:00)

Can our PLN’s be relied on to open professional opportunities?

Networking involves putting yourself out there, taking risks, and building on current connections. Opportunities will continue to present themselves if we continuously work on our PLN by staying active in online communities (Storer, 2022, 38:40). I am excited to build on my current connections and seize learning opportunities as they present themselves!

I can do this by:

• Learning how to ask for help – “There is power in asking and taking a chance” (Storer, 25:23).
• Reaching out to help others – networking is a give and take
• Learning about new tools to enhance my professions – seeking out new and up and coming tech will support my learning goals

My colleagues post on engaging their PLN post-course:

In their blog, Sadhik mentions the exchange of ideas and sharing of learning that naturally happens through our PLN’s and how that interactivity can fully support our professional development post-course. I appreciate that no matter how different our learning networks may look, the benefits are essentially the same: we all can all advance in our professions through the help of digital networks. I also agree with Sadhik on the importance of frequency – we need to continuously keep in touch with our networks and connections if we want to reap the professional rewards that our PLN’s can provide. Thanks for your insights, Sadhik!

Blog #10 Engaging your PLN

References: 

Del Giudice, M. (2014). From Information Society to Network Society: The Challenge. In: Social Media and Emerging Economies. Springer Briefs in Business. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02490-5_5

Wakelet (2022). The Benefits of Growing your Network & PLN!. #TheWakeletPodcast. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEa8JgAE_qM

Common Sense Media (2020) describes media literacy as, “the ability to identify different types of media and understand the messages they’re sending.” In today’s digital world, media literacy has become increasingly important as media is easier than ever to create, and we don’t always know who has created it – and for what intended purpose.

Media literacy helps us to:

• learn to think critically
• become a smart consumer of products and information
• recognize points of view
• create media responsibly
• identify the role of media in our culture
• understand the authors goal

Common Sense Media (2020)

The Media Literacy Expert

Julie Smith • Webster University Experts Directory

This week I listened to an interview between Jesse Miller and Julie Smith – a communications instructor at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. Smith not only teaches but has also authored a book on mass communications and media literacy – a field of study that according to her, is changing every-single day (2021). In her interview she explains that we can find false information, on any topic, at any time on the internet, and that is why it is so crucial to teach media literacy in our current times. Smith also stresses the effort and knowledge that is required to find resources that are valid and factual as well as the importance of balancing perspectives with your media diet (2021).

Why should we bother balancing perspectives by consuming media we don’t agree with?

People often seek out information that supports and confirms their cognitive biases. Additionally, social media and search engine algorithms steer us towards media that further supports our viewpoints and opinions – effectively increasing our biases. While practicing media literacy it is important to critically explore diverse perspectives. This will provide a balanced and well-rounded understanding of differing opinions and values and  opportunities to change ones mind as new information is presented. When teaching media literacy to students, we also want to ensure we are providing them with varying  perspectives and the tools to critically decide for themselves what  to believe. We want to teach students HOW to think, not WHAT to think (2021).

Open dialogues about media literacy and factual information can create conflict, why does
this happen?

Julie Smith (2021) describes this as ‘pull’ news vs ‘push’ news. There are thousands of choices to achieve our media consumption – we can ‘pull’ from many different sources that support our beliefs vs. historical media (radio broadcasts etc.) where media was ‘pushed’ on us.  If we are constantly pulling media that supports our ideas, we will ‘other’ varying viewpoints, effectively increasing opportunities for conflict.

Key questions to ask when practicing media literacy:

• Who created this?
• Why did they make it?
• Who is the message for?
• What techniques are being used to make this message credible or believable?
• What details were left out, and why?
• How did the message make you feel?

Common Sense Media (2020)

What is the benefit of having a PLN that values media literacy?

Within my own PLN,  I will practice media literacy as I connect with other professionals and diverse perspectives to ensure that I am empowering my own learning processes on an individual and a professional level.  As an educator I will also incorporate media literacy throughout my curriculum to ensure my students understand the messages they are receiving, why they were created, and what questions  they can ask to evaluate the authenticity of the media they consume.

My colleagues blog:

Yuxin, I found it interesting that you mention consensus building in relation to seeking out others opinions  on your PLN. You state that, “striving for diverse opinions in a PLN is more about getting people to share their opinions with each other, and to listen and understand different information to facilitate communication and learning among all.”  I think the most powerful piece of that (and of communication) is listening. When we listen to diverse perspectives and voices, we create learning environments where everyone is valued- whether we can agree, or not. Thanks for the read!

Blog #9

Resources:

Common Sense Media (2020). What is media literacy, and why is it important? Retrieved from: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/what-is-media-literacy-and-why-is-it-important 

This week we explored the balancing act that is required for professionals and notable individuals, while engaging in public discourse online. In her interview with Jesse Miller, Sophie Lui – a news anchor at Global BC – describes her interactions with social media and the benefits and risks that are involved while being in the public-eye. This has me considering other professionals use of their PLN’s and how I can best utilize my own PLN to engage with a wider audience that is providing accurate information, and how to go about navigating public discourse in a safe and advantageous manner.

How do notable individuals use social media?

• Gain information
• Reach out to prospective employers and other professionals in their field
• Cautiously
• Personal sharing – Lui described that she uses Instagram for sharing photos of family and using Twitter as a more professional sharing platform where she voices her values and intellectual discourse.

What are the benefits of being in the public eye and having a PLN?

• Public support
• Raise awareness
• Immediate feedback
• Resources and connections to like minded professionals
• Keep you relevant and in the public eye
• Continuous learning -Lui also described her PLN as an easy and efficient access to a wider-intellectual world

Identify the risks and benefits of engaging with a public audience in a media space – what are the risks for a public figure or person in a position of trust (educator, lawyer, government official)?

• Vitriol and criticisms – easier to make negative comments with a quick click of a button vs. writing letters etc.
• Excellent resources
• See other points of view
• Saying the wrong thing/making mistakes

How to best address negative replies and critiques reflective of your personal values and employer’s social media policy?

• Ignore, mute, block
• Can use criticisms for personal growth

Notable individuals recent public discourse on verifiable resources:

Last week there was a  Twitter storm related to Elon Musk’s recent takeover of Twitter. He announced that a blue tick or verified status would now cost users $8 per month. U.S. politician AOC and Musk have since been at war with their tweets – her voicing her opposition to his idea that ‘free-speech’ will now require an $8/month subscription plan and accusations that Musk has now bricked certain functions of her account – and his defense and denial of her credibility and accusations.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out and if Musk’s takeover of Twitter will change the verified landscape of Twitter. If anyone can purchase a blue tick, which were historically difficult to obtain, the authenticity of online accounts will be harder to distinguish.  Additionally, I think it would increase the amount of bots and trolls ability to poison once verifiable resources. His claims to increase free-speech for Twitter users, is not getting off on a good foot.

AOC keeping it real last week during her public discourse with Musk:

Yo @elonmusk while I have your attention, why should people pay $8 just for their app to get bricked when they say something you don’t like?

This is what my app has looked like ever since my tweet upset you yesterday. What’s good? Doesn’t seem very free speechy to me 🤔 pic.twitter.com/e3hcZ7T9up

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 3, 2022

My colleagues blog:

In their blog, PicPen states that “when public figures show themselves to the public, their remarks are more likely to be spread and recognized, thus showing social influence.” I found this statement interesting. When users choose to share details of their lives, their values, and information online they are putting themselves out there for the public to see. For notifiable individuals this can indeed spread their social influence. This also has me considering how users ideas can be twisted as their public discourse get shared and re-shared across numerous accounts. Without context, information can often be misconstrued. Something to consider as we share ourselves and information online. Thanks for your post!

#Blog8 Balancing PLN & Public Discourse

References:

MILLER. (2022). Sophie Lui – EDCI 338 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfcXgKLzOVM