Category: EDCI 338

What Are Personal Learning Networks (PLNs), and Why Are They Important?

Throughout my time in school, I’ve learnt that learning does not occur in isolation. A Personal Learning Network (PLN) has helped me enhance my knowledge outside the classroom. My PLN has been a source of support and progress, including instructors who push my thinking to classmates who provide fresh insights. Participating in discussions, attending guest lectures, and joining study groups have all helped me improve my critical thinking and application skills in real-world situations.

Beyond school, my PLN includes professionals on LinkedIn, where I follow industry leaders and interact with information that keeps me up to date on financial markets and policy topics.These connections have helped me remain up to date on internship opportunities, economic trends, and professional insights that I would not have discovered otherwise. My own learning network, whether through academic resources or professional networks, is critical to my ongoing development.

Social Media Dynamics for PLNs

When I initially started connecting with professional material on LinkedIn, I wasn’t sure how to make the most of the site. Over time, I saw that postings with more comments and shares acquired traction, indicating that participation is critical in amplifying ideas. By deliberately interacting with posts—leaving intelligent comments, resharing content, and tagging relevant people—I saw that my network began to grow.

Social media is more than just browsing; it’s about actively participating, learning, and building real relationships. Understanding these relationships has enabled me to create a more engaged and resourceful PLN.

Long-Term Network Development

Building a PLN is more than simply building connections; it is also about maintaining them. Early in my academic career, I attended networking events but did not always follow up with those I met. I eventually understood that staying in touch, even if it’s just checking in sometimes or sharing interesting articles, helps to deepen connections over time.

I now make an effort to connect with my PLN on a daily basis. Whether it’s sending a brief LinkedIn message to a former professor, attending alumni gatherings, or publishing findings from my studies, these simple activities keep my network alive. Furthermore, being current with industry developments helps me to provide important insights, making my participation more significant. Creating a PLN is a long-term commitment, and I’ve personally witnessed how maintaining relationships leads to unexpected learning opportunities and job advancement.

Impact of Social Media on Learning, Academics, and Professional Environments

Social media has changed the way I approach learning and professional growth. In one of my economics classes, I found a complex concept difficult to understand. A short YouTube search brought me to a well-explained lesson that clarified the topic in minutes—something a textbook couldn’t do. Platforms like Twitter have also helped me remain up to speed on policy discussions and economic developments by following industry experts who provide real-time views. In a professional perspective, LinkedIn has helped me connect with recruiters and industry mentors. Social media is a powerful tool, but using it effectively—filtering reputable sources and participating meaningfully—is critical to maximizing its benefits for academic and professional development.

Resources

Cube, M. (2023, July 20). A concept that expresses the hyper-connected society of modern. . . iStock. https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/a-concept-that-expresses-the-hyper-connected-society-of-modern-society-by-connecting-gm1557118048-526883104?utm_campaign=srp_photos_bottom&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Funsplash.com%2Fs%2Fphotos%2Fhuman-network&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=unsplash&utm_term=human+network%3A%3Avideo-affiliates%3Aexperiment

Expert Academy (GLOBAL). (2019, July 2). How to make a great LinkedIn Profile – TIPS + EXAMPLES [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd4ALKv8Das

Kumar, K. (2023, May 22). The role of social media in education. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/role-social-media-education-keerthan-kumar

PLN Spaces Through Social Media
Social media platforms make it easier to build PLNs by providing locations for people to interact with thought leaders, share information, and access relevant content. Personally, I utilize networks such as LinkedIn and Twitter to connect with industry people, participate in discussions, and remain current on trends. Connecting with like-minded people and participating in specialty topics has helped me learn new things and gain access to useful resources. Furthermore, these platforms support real-time collaboration, allowing me to seek guidance and input from experts in other sectors. Engaging with a PLN on social media has the advantage of creating a continuous learning environment, which provides opportunity for both immediate and long-term progress.

Privacy, Ethics, and Security in Digital Spaces
The growing integration of digital environments into our daily lives emphasizes the significance of protecting our privacy, ethics, and security online. Protecting personal information is critical for preventing identity theft, cyberattacks, and data exploitation. To reduce these dangers, I use two-factor authentication, keep passwords up to date, and limit the amount of personal information I publish online. I also avoid releasing sensitive or unverified material, recognizing my ethical obligation to maintain honesty and integrity in digital interactions. These behaviors help to create a trustworthy online environment in which users feel comfortable sharing information and engaging in meaningful discussions.

Inclusivity and UDL in PLNs
UDL principles provide a framework for promoting inclusion in digital learning environments. UDL’s emphasis on Multiple Means of Engagement, Representation, and Action/Expression enables different learners to access content in ways that best meet their requirements. For example, I make sure that the content provided within my PLN is accessible by adding subtitles to videos, giving alternate formats for textual material, and fostering discussions that cater to different learning styles. This inclusion creates an atmosphere in which everyone can participate, interact, and learn, hence improving the quality of my PLN and encouraging greater social understanding.

Challenges and Importance of Diversity in Digital Learning
Diversity in digital learning environments is critical to creating a rich, engaging, and fair learning environment. However, promoting inclusion presents considerable challenges, including accessibility barriers, language problems, and a lack of representation of vulnerable groups. These constraints can limit the engagement of various learners, resulting in uneven access to educational opportunities. Addressing these issues requires intentional steps to guarantee that digital environments are accessible to everyone. For example, offering information in several languages, providing screen reader-friendly materials, and developing platforms to suit different learning requirements are all important steps toward encouraging diversity. The article below shows that subtitles not only help make content more accessible to deaf individuals as well as those with hearing impairments, but also allows people from other countries to digest content more easily. By prioritizing diversity, we can ensure that all learners have an equal chance to contribute to and benefit from digital learning, thereby improving the learning experience for everyone engaged.

https://www.contentfries.com/blog/the-impact-of-subtitles-on-video-accessibility-and-inclusivity

Personal vs. Professional:

Digital identity is how I show myself online, and it is critical to distinguish between personal and professional aspects. Personally, I utilize platforms such as Instagram to share my hobbies, communicate with my friends, and simply be myself. On the other side, my professional digital identity is all about being polished and intentional on networks such as LinkedIn, where I exhibit my abilities, academic achievements, and career objectives. I’ve realized how important it is to preserve such boundaries. For example, I maintain strong privacy settings on personal accounts while ensuring that my professional profiles are clean, accessible, and reflect me in a positive light. I also think twice before publishing or commenting online to avoid anything that could harm my future possibilities. Keeping these two sides separated is crucial more than simply protecting your privacy; it’s also about demonstrating to potential employers and coworkers that you can balance your personal and professional commitments intelligently.

Digital Visitor and Resident Map:

Visitor Spaces:

• Online Banking: I log in only to complete financial transactions or check account balances.
• Government Websites: These are for specific tasks like renewing documents or accessing tax information.
• YouTube (Tutorials): I search for quick solutions, watch, and leave without engaging further.
• Research Databases: These are purely functional spaces for academic assignments and projects.

Resident Spaces:

• LinkedIn: I maintain an active presence, connecting with peers, sharing professional updates, and engaging in discussions.
• Instagram: I interact with friends, share posts, and participate in social trends.
• Educational Forums (e.g., discussion boards): I contribute to conversations and collaborate with classmates.
• Email (Professional & Academic): Regular use for ongoing communication with professors, colleagues, and peers.

It shows how my digital engagement differs depending on context. Task-driven platforms for visitor spaces remain purely functional, while interactive platforms for resident spaces promote deeper connections and engagement.

Theories of Personalized Learning: Personalised learning theories, such as constructivist and self-directed learning, have had a good impact on my education by fostering active involvement and autonomy. I’ve learnt how to combine new information with real-world experiences using constructivist approaches, which has helped me understand topics better. Self-directed learning has given me the ability to create goals, seek resources independently, and track my progress. These approaches create a sense of responsibility in my education, which keeps me engaged and responsive. As I pursue my academic and professional goals, these tailored methods of learning will be vital for lifetime learning and adaptability in changing situations that require critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Privacy, Surveillance, and Digital Footprint Awareness: Reflecting on my digital footprint, I understand that each post, search, and online purchase adds to the data trail I leave behind. To preserve my privacy, I maintain my social media settings, use secure passwords, and refrain from revealing too much personal information online. Being mindful of privacy and surveillance is critical for maintaining control over how personal data is acquired, used, and potentially exploited. Good digital habits, such as thinking before publishing, avoiding questionable links, and periodically monitoring privacy settings, help to guarantee a safer, more respectful online presence. These not only protect my reputation, but also help me develop a more responsible digital identity.

Hello! My name is Ahyun Jeong, and also go by Hanna (she/her). I am a fourth-year Uvic student of Economics, taking this EDCI as an elective. I was born and raised in South Korea, and I moved to Canada to study six years ago. When I first moved to Canada, I did not have, or did not notice, digital tools to help studying, but things changed very quickly. Back in high school time, I always brought big and thick notes and binders every day, but open learning changed my way. For example, Uvic uses Brightspace to provide and collect things online. I needed time to learn and adjust to it, but once I got used to it, Brightspace was helpful and convenient. This made me want to learn more about open and distributed learning. 

Social Media and Its Role in Education: With the development of online learning, social media nowadays has made it easy to connect with classmates and learn new things. For example, I’ve used Instagram and TikTok to find fast concept summaries before tests, as well as Reddit study groups where students share tips. Additionally, platforms like YouTube provide educational videos that appeal to various learning preferences, while podcasts and live streams allow for real-time involvement. The advantages of adopting social media for education include increased access to learning materials, improved cooperation among students, and exposure to a variety of content types. However, there are risks, such as the possibility of distractions, spreading of misinformation, and privacy problems associated with publishing personal information or academic work online. When utilized intelligently and appropriately, social media can be a great tool to supplement and expand the educational experience.

Personalized Learning and Digital Literacies: Personalized learning keeps me motivated because it allows me to focus on topics and approaches that are relevant to my abilities and interests. For example, in a few of my classes, I’ve used online platforms that change practice questions based on my performance, allowing me to focus on the areas where I need the more improvement. Digital literacy is also crucial since it allows me to navigate online resources effectively and use technology efficiently. For example, understanding how to search library databases for academic articles and use tools like citation generators has made researching and producing papers much easier. Personalized learning and digital literacy have combined to make my education more engaging and effective, providing me the ability to adjust my learning and make the best use of digital tools.

Digital Identity and Online Presence: Managing my digital identity is critical to both my educational experience and future career. I try to keep my internet profile professional and positive by being selective about what I publish and share. For example, I frequently update my LinkedIn profile to highlight my academic achievements, jobs, and talents, while keeping my other social media profiles hidden (private) or appropriate. Maintaining a positive internet presence is critical since employers often review online profiles, and I want to make a good impression. By being deliberate about my digital identity, I can connect it with my personal and professional goals, so opening doors to new opportunities and establishing a trustworthy reputation.

Navigating and Using Online Platforms Ethically: Being careful of what I publish and share is critical since content spreads quickly online and can reflect on me both personally and professionally. Sharing truthful, respectful, and well-intentioned content not only protects my reputation but also helps to foster a positive online community. Giving acknowledgment to original authors and avoiding negative remarks are examples of ethical practices that promote trust and respect in online communities, making them more supportive and productive for all.