Post #6

Engaging your PLN

Before I started this course, I thought social media was just a platform for users to entertain and discuss with each other online. However, during these past six weeks, I have learned more about social media and personal or professional learning networks, how they relate to each other, and how they can help, build and broaden networks between people to assist users in gaining more knowledge. EDCI 338 has given me a whole new perspective on the use of media platforms, and I think I will continue my creative content and my network because I think it is something worth doing and very rewarding.

During my study, I learned that social media platforms are not only a tool for people to spend time online, but they are the perfect places to expand everyone’s PLNs. As technology continues to advance, like Manlio said, people can now access information at the touch of a finger. There are various social platforms where users can get the latest news anytime, anywhere, in the form of videos, pictures, text, etc., and receive diverse knowledge, while finding new friends with similar interests, exchanging ideas and learning from each other. I think it’s important to have a good personal learning network, as I’m about to graduate and look for a job, I’m going to take the time to make sure that my digital identity is relevant to the work and to expand my personal learning network into related fields so as to be prepared.  In addition to that, since learning about digital identity, I realize that my words and actions will always have a footprint on the internet, and when faced with applying to schools or looking for a job later on, my digital identity can play a pivotal role, so I need to think before posting any information online.

The rapid global growth of the Internet and mobile communications over the past few decades has reduced the distance between people, and bringing PLNs from local communities to global communities has not been a problem at all. In most social platforms, like our most commonly used Mattermost, even without the use of VPN software, I can send messages anywhere in China, and my classmates in Canada can also be the first to receive, group discussions have also become more convenient, because of such social platforms, there is no longer a sense of distance between people, communication has become more convenient.

Personally, I think PLN is good for networking with a worldview but focuses on local. On different social media platforms, no matter what kind of people, teachers or students can be exposed to diverse new knowledge, which can be an international worldview, and when implemented in everyday life, for example, in the way of teaching, or learning, this can have a local impact. I usually watch cooking lessons on YouTube and then practice what I’ve learned in my daily life.

Overall, this course has opened my eyes to learn more about social media and PLNs, their importance and how they contribute to human learning, as well as becoming more alert when posting and distinguishing information.

It was a very interesting course for me and it was a pleasure to spend this time with you all!

• Reference:

Del Giudice, M., Carayannis, E. G., & Della Peruta, M. R. (2013). Social media and emerging economies: Technological, cultural and economic implications. Springer. pp 71-88 https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-02490-5_5