Community communications go beyond blogs and social media shares, how does a PLN help and hinder the development of thoughts and ideas in public discourse – especially when addressing our differences?
I think Harrison Mooney did a great job at addressing this question. He talked about how he grew up surrounded by white people and thus, often felt misunderstood. He talked about how social media has given him the opportunity to connect with a larger community that he can relate to. He mentioned that it has allowed him to share his experiences and learn that their are other people who have gone through what he has. However, he also mentioned how by having access to social media and with such a huge PLN, due to his job, people are able to find his social media and see who he is before an interview takes place. He explained that sometimes he has people call him with a story and then when they find out after that he isn’t white, they call back and change comments they had previously made. Thus, he described that by having his picture out there and having a PLN limits and changes responses that he is able to share.
How can a PLN be curated to minimize bias and expand knowledge of the lives of others?
I think its important to have a diverse PLN, where people share different backgrounds, perspectives, beliefs, etc in order to expand everyones knowledge. The book Social Media: Communication, Sharing and Visibility stated that with the introduction of digit media comes changing roles for the both those producing it and those consuming it (Meikle, 2016). Moreover, with the anonymity that comes with social media and how much content is out there, it can sometimes be hard to establish fact from fiction. I think the best way to minimize bias in ones PLN is by making sure you are connecting with people who have grown up with different experiences and are open to viewing things from a different perspective. Being able to learn first hand through peoples experiences is the best way to minimize bias and expose yourself to accurate information. Additionally, its important to acknowledge that negative stereotypes toward minority groups are everywhere in society. However, it is our job to recognize them, label them as stereotypes and challenge the people sharing them.
How does the identity of who you are, fit into your PLN?
My identity is different for both my private and professional PLN’s. For instance, I use instagram for personal social media, where I post pictures that reflect activities I like to do, and people who are an important part of my life, such as my friends and families. Therefore, my PLN is able to get a sense of who I am through the content I post and interact with. However, I also have a facebook account that I use for school only. I have no personal pictures and interact with people solely for school and work reasons. Here I am able to share ideas and interact with people whom I share similar interests with. My identity on facebook is a student looking to pursue a career in teaching, whereas, in my personal account my identity reflects more of my personality.
Do you include professional and personal boundaries?
Yes, I include multiple boundaries when connecting in my personal and professional PLN’s. For example, I make sure that social media isn’t a top priority in my life. I would much rather be present in real life conversations that I am having, then spend my time looking through my social media. Additionally, I use my social media platforms to share and learn from positive forms of information. I love learning from other peoples perspectives and I am always open to new ideas that challenge my own. However, I make sure that I am only connecting with people that are respectful of others, no matter their gender, race, beliefs, religion, etc.
References:
Meikle, G. (2016). Social media communication, sharing and visibility. New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
Miller J. (2020) EDCI 338 A01 – Harrison Mooney. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elKNQpz0RrI&feature=youtu.be
Hello Mikayla,
I think your blog post is very clear, organized, and informative. I definitely agree that “have a diverse PLN, where people share different backgrounds, perspectives, beliefs, etc in order to expand everyones knowledge”. In my opinion, an inclusive PLN can not only help to build a reciprocal relationship between other people and us, but also can help us increase our engagement in online communication in order to expand our own thoughts. I really liked how you use Harrison Mooney’s experience and ideas to explain your own opinions. I also believe that it is important and effective for you to make your identity be different for both your privacy and professional PLN’s. Thank you for your sharing.