Camus' Blog EDCI 338

Social media and the internet has worked its way into western regular life, and almost all over the world. Social media is such a big part of society today that we almost cannot live without it. This semester was a very interesting one considering the global event of COVID-19, and made the topic of PLN’s very more enjoyable to comprehend. Learning about the diverse ways you can use social media platforms to engage in learning was very interesting, especially when us students were on a lot of the platforms all day to increase our productive with school work (or not J). My use of social media platforms after this course will be forever changed. I realized that a lot of my social media did not have the best diversity regarding information for learning. I found that I surrounded myself with people who had the same ideologies as I did. This resulted in only seeing one perspective which developed some bias opinions. I learnt to see that this was a weakness in my PLN and have made efforts to expand and challenge myself.

The separation of personal and professional life is a difficult task on social media and PLN’s. You want to keep your personal life out of your professional, because you always want to keep your best foot forward. Sometimes your personal life reveals certain aspects about you that would be off putting for building a network, even though it does not affect your work habits or credentials. You always want to lead with your strength because that’s what attracts others. Qualman (2012) states that the key to a successful partnership is when two people have different strengths. Some good strength to show on your PLN can follow STAMP (Qualman, 2012). STAMP stands for simplify, True, Action, Map, and People (Qualman, 2012). These are simple yet useful tools to show and promote your strengths on your PLN’s which will attract others for networking.

I gained a great deal of respect for Media literacy, and learned a lot about it over the duration of this semester. Continuing to educate myself in media literacy is something I plan to do going into the future. Thank you for a great class and a better first semester online!

Reference

Qualman, E. (2012) Digital Leader: 5 Simple Keys to Success and Influence. Retrieved from  https://learning-oreillycom.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/library/view/digital-leader-5/9780071792424/ch16.html#ch16

Your PLN can be used to help your professional development post course. Guiseppe, F., et al (2013) states that the internet is the best source of media and communication due to its high level of interactivity. The high level of activity on the internet and social media applications that follow gives you great place to expand your network. Post-course you can specify your PLN to your professional goals to help you grow into that field.

Your PLN can be relied on to open professional opportunities. Guiseppe, F., et al (2013) states that in 2013, 39% of the world’s population was using the internet, and I can only imagine that its significantly more now. Since so many people are active on the internet this makes it a great place to reach out due to the amount of opportunities that can present themselves. Personally, I found that LinkedIn works best. LinkedIn provides a professional space where it’s easy to find other users interested or working in your field. LinkedIn makes it easy to find users resume and work history to make you feel more comfortable working with or conversing with them.

The earlier you get started on your PLN the more it will help you in the future. This is because your PLN works like an investment, the earlier you start investing into it, the more you get out of it down the road. Instead of money, you invest time in networking and learning. Glauser (2020) is a director for a healthcare IT company, but went to school to become a nurse. Glauser (2020) is an example of why a strong PLN is good because you do not know what the future holds.

Glauser (2020) said that we need to be aware of our “bad breath”, meaning to be aware of your weaknesses or characteristics that others may not like. We should not reject people that give you feedback on these traits, but use them to your advantage. You can grow from the feedback people give you to make yourself better. Taking and responding to criticism can be out of someone’s comfort zone, but it’s a necessary step for growth. While moving forward with you PLN you should use the same be aware of your “bad breath” strategy to ensure your growing and learning in all the right ways.

References

Giuseppe, F., Matteo, R., Ashutosh, K., and Mario, S. (2013)Journal: European Business Review, 2020, Volume 32, Number 3, Page 71-83

DOI: 10.1108/EBR-06-2019-0129

Glauser, A. (2020) A Global PLN – Supporting One Another – Course Youtube Channel https://youtu.be/RiWaXNfnHAg

Sometimes PLN’s can hinder development of thoughts and ideas in public discourse. If a user builds their network with little to no diversity, the PLN can hurt the fluidity of thoughts and ideas. Mooney (2020) expresses his thoughts on this through the example of “The Social Dilemma”. “The Social Dilemma” is a docudrama about the negative impact social networking can have on society. Mooney (2020) points out how everyone in the movie is white, and how some developers in the movie cannot seem to understand why their code leaves out some existence of human life. Mooney (2020) talks about the movie “The Social Dilemma” and how the people in the movie cannot figure out why their community has problems valuing all of humanity, even though they are all white. If you build your PLN with more diversity, it will help with the development of ideas and thought that will include all of humanity, enabling you to have a well-rounded look as you learn and grow.

To minimize bias and expand knowledge of others in your PLN, you need to diversify your network. Mooney (2020) talked about how there should be more people at the table saying “we exist” to bring more equity into decision making. When you fill your learning platform with all types of views from all over the world, there’s less chance for you to leave out important information that will end up hurting you. Meikle (2016) says Twitter has 288 million users putting out 500 million tweets a day. Each user on Twitter has open access to follow and be followed by anyone on the platform (Meikle, 2020). This access allows for users to create diverse platforms and fill their feeds with whatever they deem important enough to follow.

What interests you tends to fill your PLN’s. Being aware of this you can follow educational users that will fill your feed with learning material. You can also follow influencers and role models to set goals and remind yourself why you are putting in the effort. Meikle (2016) discusses add algorithms and how your search history can predict what adds pop up on your screen. Lets say you were looking at shoes online, algorithms can pick that up and put shoes in later adds when you’re doing other tasks. This shapes your PLN identity because it’s appearing on your feed and subconsciously influencing you.

The privacy of PLN’s can differ across platforms. If you are using reddit, you may drift towards a super private and anonymous account. This is due to the fact that users may respond to your general posts and ideas differently considering your race or background. Mooney (2020) brings forth examples of this in his life through calls he has received, where people call him back later rewording the previous call after finding out his ethnicity. There are platforms that require more information like linkedIn, where personal information is more necessary to connect, communicate, and collaborate with other users. Giving more information on professional platforms like linkedIn gives you more opportunity to grow your network.

References

Mooney, H. (2020) Reporting in a Connected Culture, EDCI 338 – Course YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/elKNQpz0RrI

Meikle, G. (2016). Social Media. New York: Routledge, https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.4324/9781315884172

Smith (2020) talks about media literacy and how forever changing it is. Media literacy for Smith (2020) started with television with picking apart televised media for what is factually true and false. Over the year’s media literacy expanded to social media platform and the general space of the internet (Smith, 2020). Smith (2020) states that you cannot really find anything online that is verified, and that fact finding is up to the user. Media literacy describes one’s ability to access and pick apart information (Fadel, C., & Trilling, B. (2009)). This also includes “understanding the role of media in society…” and “the essential skills of inquiry and self-expression.” (Fadel, C., & Trilling, B. (2009))

Media literacy is important for users so they can see through false information. This will prevent users from gaining wrong view points and ideas. Smith (2020) talks about how she reads both republican and conservative magazines so she can be well rounded on political views, this method also helps her weed out miss information.

Smith (2020) discusses how media literacy can be dismissed through business. Smith (2020) says a smart business person gives views to people based on what on what they want to hear, rather than what they need to hear. A user wants their PLN to be well rounded and credible on information. This ensures your audience can develop trust with your ideas and views.

Conflict can arise from information displayed by the media. Smith (2020) talks about people being attracted to information they want to hear which can cause a lot of problems. People only listening to information they want to hear causes them to develop view points on only one side of a situation. When this happens on two different sides of a situation lots of conflicts erupts. They argue and try to convince with the other side of their views, instead of researching to make sure their views are right in the first place. The benefits of having a PLN that values media literacy, means that the information you view, along with the information your viewers see helps everyone develop well rounded ideas. Smith (2020) does this by reading both republican and conservative magazines.

References

Fadel,C., & Trilling,B. (2009). 21st Century Skills – Learning for Life In Our Times. Retrieved from https://learning-oreilly-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/library/view/21st-century- skills/9780470475386/fade_9780470475386_oeb_c04_r1.html

smith, J. (2020) Media Literacy, EDCI 338 – Course YouTube Chanel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_T9RghwJlI&feature=youtu.be

Notable individuals use their social media platforms to express who they are and what they’re about. They also take advantage of the range some platforms have to expand their influential reach. Notable people also monetize their social media platforms to gain an income. Lui (2020) uses her social medias in a similar way. Lui (2020) talked about standing up or what she thought was right, and used an example of standing up for other women anchors.

Some benefits from being in the public eye and having a PLN is its easier to expand your influential reach across platforms. Some news channels now put the anchors and guests Instagram’s, Twitters, and even blogs on screen when they’re presented. This promotes your PLN’s and expands your reach. Lui (2020) said that as time went on in her career she stopped posting and replying to increasing negative comments from her expanding PLNs, resulting in her reading more posts of what Lui (2020) actually wanted to see.

Lui (2020) talks about how her private life disappeared on twitter after gaining followers and verification from her employment. This resulted in her taking a step back from tweeting and responding to negative comments, and mainly reading what she found worthy on twitter. Lui (2020) talks about how Instagram in more of a friendly place where she feels more comfortable posting photo of her personal life. Instagram is where her family and friends can see photos of what she’s been up to and a peak into her life Lui (2020).

Hirst (2019) discusses fake news and how the propagation of fake news is designed to manipulate user’s opinions towards certain objectives. Building a credible and trustworthy PLN is better for stronger and longer lasting connections. The more people trust you, the more they listen and are willing to give you advice. Users should always back posts up with research If you’re scared about posting unreliable information. This increases your digital literacy along with logical thinking when reading and posting on social media platforms. I know twitter has gotten good and notifying readers when posts are misleading, so if you want a PLN on a more reliable platform you can start with twitter.

References

Hirst, M. (2019). Navigating Social Journalism. New York: Routledge, https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.4324/9781315401263

Lui, S(2020) In the Public-Eye – Course YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/3T4jOdKd12I

Explore how using technology can provide real time engagement and include answers to the following. 

• How does social media help engage in community-based communications?

Social media bridges the gap of engagement to the community by eliminating the physical, face-to-face, aspect of communication. Social media allows you to catch up and contribute to community-based events anytime anywhere. This allows for more engagement, problem solving, and conversation through the community. Some people find it difficult to communicate face-to-face or in concealed rooms so it opens up different options of communication (Kermer, 2020)

Within community engagement, are their extended rules from the employer that you should consider?

• Are there cultural sensitivities that should be considered?

There are cultural sensitivities that should be factored with community engagement. Communication between culture groups can be different. Having a diverse set of different communication styles and social medias is necessary (Russell, 2020)

• What should your PLN say about you as you communicate to the public via social media or communication tools?

You need to show that you are credible and trust worthy when you communicate to the public through social media or communication tools. Kermer (2020) put forth that people are sometimes scared or uneasy talking face-to-face; To make it easier for these people, showing that you are credible and trust worthy over social media or communication tools can eliminate fears that people may have. Proving yourself credible and trust worth can also help you make more connections through your PLN. People are more willing to converse with ideas among someone who is trusted.

• What does it mean to balance your professional expectations and your personal beliefs in curating a PLN for the purpose of career development?

Kermer (2020) put it best when she said to not always be the loudest person in the room. Your PLN should be a healthy mix of growth and learning, along with networking and building professional relationships. You should be able to succeed while helping others along the way. If you do this, you work on establishing your future while enjoying the experience along the way.

• What do you think you need to reflect on (in regards to your PLN or development of a PLN) to adapt evolving social media communication expectations as a community learns more about who you are?

Russell (2020) talked about his success with communications over multiple social media and communication platforms. Using this knowledge to my advantage and to extend the reach of my PLNs, I should adapt to this new wave and sign up for more social media networks and communication tools. This coverage of having multiple platforms to contact my community will help my learning process and set me up better for the future.

References

Kermer, A. (2020). EDCI 338 – KERMER, A. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73KOxy_fMSM&feature=youtu.be

Russell, M. (2020). EDCI 338 – RUSSELL, M. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH_UiTWYYwU&feature=youtu.be

Building a strong PLN is necessary for the success of a podcast. The knowledge gained from developing a unique PLN before starting a podcast can help solidify the base of the podcast allowing you to have a further reach of influence. Woods, B. (2013) suggests starting your PLN by talking to people around you, listen to their experiences and interests, and take in what they have to say. I found this idea very useful, yet simple to get your PLN started. The people around you usually have a hidden abundance of information that you can use to kick start your PLN (Woods, 2013). This information can be used as fuel to start thinking about what you want your PLN key stone topic to be about, eventually leading to the start of your podcast. When asking questions do not forget to talk about things you enjoy (Woods, 2013). These conversations pull insight from others, and also lets them see your hidden information that they can put into their PLNs. The stories and tips you gain from these conversations can be put towards your PLN and podcast to help your network. These stories can also spark interest for others to join your audience.

There is lots of privacy and safety concerns when starting a PLN and podcast. If you are using other people’s tips and stories, ask them for permission before using their name or identity. If they do not give you permission for using their name or identity you can always ask to use the information anonymously. If they are not okay with that either you should find another source. If you become influential in a social space, make sure the information you are sharing is credible. If you are an influencer you are also somewhat of a teacher and role model. Make sure the information you are sharing allows for positive success within your audience.

Woods, B. (2013, November). Building your own PLN: seeking new insights and ideas? Expand your personal learning network. T+D, 67(11), 70+. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A348998538/ITBC?u=uvictoria&sid=ITBC&xid=1010abdf

A digital identity is a profile built on an individual that represents a set of attributes they attended to through use of the internet. Spracklen K. (2015) describes digital identity on how it is a great leisure space to develop a sense of belonging and identity (p. 94). This identity can be used as a tool to interact with other people on the digital web, and can be beneficial with gathering knowledge and building connections with others (p. 95). A topic matter that is regularly discussed is the separation of personal and professional digital identity. Jawed, S., et al (2019) put forth that a personal identity is vulnerable and expressive, while a professional identity is how you define yourself in your profession (p.33). It takes time to learn the professional ways of communicating and interacting with professional identities, whereas personal identities come natural to you (p. 34). Davos (2019) described benefits that can come from digital identities. An example Davos (2019) used is when you have a digital identity you get to operate in networked publics, this allows people to participate in the digital economy as a possible source of income, or to gain knowledge to put towards a source of income (2:50). Another benefit of digital identification is it can allow poor countries to leapfrog the ID process getting them identification faster (16:30).

References

Jawed, S., Mahboob, U., & Yasmeen, R. (2019). Digital professional identity: Dar internet! Who am I? Education for Health, 32(1), 33-35. doi:10.4103/efh.EfH_232_17

Spracklen K. (2015) Identity-Making and Social Media. In: Digital Leisure, the Internet and Popular Culture. Leisure Studies in a Global Era. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137405876_6

Davos 2019, press conference the value of digital identity for the global economy and society.