Month: October 2020

• How diverse is your existing PLN?

I consider my PLN very diverse. I have digital identities on 6 digital platforms with 3 of them being for learning purposes and 2 of them only being for networking. On these networks, I am in contact with people all over the world with different nationalities and ages giving a spread of different opinions and views.

• In your PLN, are you learning from a variety of voices or are you the loudest in the room?

I am often an observer in most of my PLN’s. Not saying I don’t contribute which I do a lot at times, but I find myself listening and reading from a variety of people more than I contribute. When I do contribute it’s on a subject I know a great deal about so I know I’m helping properly. I also contribute on subjects I’m confused about and need a little more help comprehending the theories and ideas being portrayed.

• Do you participate in a silo of information sharing (similar themes or wide-range of interests)?

Yes. I observer and contribute in Reddit threads that apply to what I am trying to learn. The information in these threads can sometimes be wrong and misleading since there’s little regulation, if the information is wrong multiple people normally respond saying so which makes it easier to sort through. These threads are available to everyone all over the world so you normally get a pretty diverse group interacting with each other.

• How can you use a diverse PLN to broaden your views of inclusion?

I believe every PLN should be diverse. The more diversity your PLN is lets you see different angles and more point of views on subjects you are looking into. The diversity I have in my PLN’s allow me to see current events happening around the world, and different perspectives and opinions on them. Seeing these events lead me to different groups and posting where I can explore topics into greater detail giving me more inclusion, and allowing me to express inclusion to more people.

• What is the learning outcome of your PLN and how are you ensuring your exposure to diversity and inclusion?

The outcome for my PLN’s is to pretty much learn as much as I can to give the best opportunities. The more I learn and network the more diverse my PLN seems to get and continues to grow. The constant need to learn more ensures that my PLN has constant exposure to diversity and inclusion.

• How has your thinking about inclusion and PLN evolved after reviewing the videos and readings?

A lot of the time when I think of inclusion it is physical. A big thing the readings and videos pointed out to me was inclusion of ideologies and beliefs. Expressing and learning about different viewpoints and ideas is a big advantage for your PLN, and is something I will continue to look out for more.

References

https://youtu.be/RYtUlU8MjlY

https://youtu.be/MeRNhz0nGts

https://youtu.be/PQgXBhPh5Zo

• What digital platforms are students currently using to develop their professional network?

Facebook is the most popular social media platform with roughly 2.3 billion users worldwide. The vast number of users on the platform makes it an easy place to build a professional network. Even though Facebook seems like a good choice for networking, it doesn’t have the professional image that other platforms brand themselves on. I believe the most common platform that students are currently using is Linkedin. Linkedin is mainly used for users to professionally network, post job listings, and for job seekers to post their CV’s. Myself and all my friends are active users on linked in, with a couple of them currently working for jobs that they found on the platform.

• What can you (as a student) consider to expand your professional learning network?

Some tips I found to expand your professional learning network on any platform was on the website TeachThought. TeachThought suggests over 20 ways to expand your professional learning network. A couple suggestions I liked were to designate a professional and a private networking account, and to not be afraid to ask questions (TeachThought, 2017). Having a professional and a personal account keeps certain groups seeing the right information, for example, you wouldn’t want your boss seeing your golf trip over the weekend (2017). Not being scare to ask questions is very important for a PLN, because after all it is about learning (2017).

• In your network, how can you create a digital identity/reputation?

It is super easy to create a digital identity in the times we live with social platform being so accessible by phone. A couple ideas that I found to be helpful to create a digital identity were to be clear about your goals, decide where to leave your footprint, identify exactly who you plan to put forward and when, what type of content to publish, and finally develop your voice (Bogle, 2019). Using these key building steps assures that your digital identity is built for your target group.

• Consider what a local employer would do if you applied for a job with them – can they search the content, is it of benefit to the career path, does it hinder the opportunity of employment?

An employer would most likely read my cover letter, go over my resume, and view my linked in profile. It is good to have a professional and private digital identity in the event that your employer searches your name (TeachThought, 2017). Again, you wouldn’t want your future employer to see your golf trip with your friends the previous weekend.

References

20 Ways To Improve Your Professional Learning Network In 2013, TeachThought. (2017, October 31). Retrieved October 18, 2020, from https://www.teachthought.com/education/20-ways-to-improve-your-professional-learning-network/

Bogle, J. (2019, March 13). How to Create a Digital Identity: Beyond Branding. Retrieved October 18, 2020, from https://www.idealist.org/en/careers/create-digital-identity-branding