Category: Blog Posts

Reflect on your experience in the course, your development of PLN, your use of social media platforms and networked publics, share any changes in your perspective of social media in professional settings and personal use.

Before starting this post I went back and reflected on where my posts started in this class to where they are now. Ive gained such a deeper understanding of how much social media plays in our ability to have or not have a successful future. Before taking this course, I viewed social media and the internet as a way to connect with people that I might not be able to face to face or a way to gain knowledge on particular topics. After taking this class i’ve realized that if you use your PLN correctly there can be so many benefits in your personal and professional life. All the guest lectures we listened to had at least one theme in common and that was that all had made a connection with particular people that later benefited where they are today. So one of the most important points that I have taken from this class is that by growing a successful PLN, you are enabling yourself to grow and foster critical relationships with people that will empower you in the future. This idea also connects with the reading from this week, “Digital Leader: 5 Simple Keys to Success & Influence Ch. 16 Qualman, Erik – Empower Others”, which, states that connections are vital to ones success (Qualman, 2012). One of the quotations that stood out to me the most was “the key is making sure our connections feel empowered to not only share information, but to move forward to take initiative to help accomplish shared objectives” (Qualman, 2012, ch. 16, p.1). I really resonated with this because I think its important to have a two way relationship with others, where you each share your knowledge to help empower and support the other.

Additionally, this course has given me the opportunity to reflect on the social media platforms I use and how I can benefit from developing my PLN. I think I have a platform that has benefited me so far, but i think as I get closer to graduation I need to reflect on how I can improve my network to better support me in my future career. I want to start engaging more with people who have similar interests in terms of career, so for me I think it would be beneficial to join and engage in groups with other students looking at being teachers. Furthermore, I have volunteered in schools before, as I think its a valuable opportunity for me to get my name out their and meet mentors that can share their success stories as well as the challenges that they have faced in their career. This is an example of a two way relationship, as I would be of great help in the classroom by being an extra set of hands to help with activities. As well as, it would be an opportunity for me to learn and benefit from their knowledge and experiences. Overall, I think social media has become a great way for open collaboration to enhance ideas, gain a new perspective, and to share and receive resources and learning materials from people all around the world. A PLN allows for lifelong learning that can see continuous improvement and benefit one both in their personal and professional lives.

References:

Qualman, E., & Books24x7, I. (2012). Digital leader: 5 simple keys to success and influence (1st ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

If your PLN can be used to help professional development post-course?

I definitely think forming a strong PLN can be used to help professional development. In the interview with Amber Glauser she stated that its important to have an open mind around new people that you meet, as they may be able to expose you to knew teachings or opportunities that you would of otherwise never experienced. I think my PLN has given me opportunities to grow connections with others who may be able to help me with my career path in the future. For example, when I graduate I want to become an elementary school teacher, so I have made sure to make connections through volunteer opportunities and with people in the field, in hopes that i could use it to my advantage later down the road. Its important to foster professional and personal relationships, not only for your health and wellbeing, but also any chance to “get a leg up” for a job opportunity is always a bonus.

Can your PLN be relied on to open professional opportunities and on which platform does your emerging expertise get good exposure?

I don’t think you can solely rely on your PLN on social media for all professional opportunities. However with in increase in internet users, and technology and science progressing more rapidly, great advances in society are being made (Del Giudice, 2014), and thus, its opened many professional opportunities for individuals. Additionally, with the rapid expansion of online communication and information resources, you are not only able to make beneficial connections outside of your friends and family, but you are also able to showcase your expertise, promote your business or your work, and enhance the credibility of your brand.

This course has shown me that there is so many social media networks that will allow me to grow my PLN that I had always seen, but never thought they would be beneficial to myself. These include, platform such as linkedin and twitter. This course has allowed me to reevaluate how I can grow my PLN in order to promote my skills and knowledge. Right know, I have been using facebook for professional opportunities, which has allowed me to join groups and interact with like-minded people, but I think i will be able to expand this by joining platforms such as linkedin and twitter.

Can you leverage your PLN in future endeavours?

I definitely think I can leverage my PLN to help with my future endeavours. Not only have I made valuable connections within the online community, but I have also gained knowledge and experience through real-life connections. For instance, volunteering in schools has given me a great connection to administrative staff that I can reach out to in the future. Additionally, by going into schools I am able to learn things through first-hand experiences, which I can then share within my online PLN to showcase the skills I have developed. Furthermore, with the globalization of media markets, we can interact across national borders and access information from a diverse range of individuals who share different experiences and knowledge (Del Giudice, 2014). As someone, who wants to teach english in a third world country when I graduate, I love connecting with people from across the globe who have had drastically different experiences with education then myself. It allows me to learn what eduction means to them and how I can help benefit their learning experience.

With consideration to the reading and video interview, how do you ensure that you expand your PLN via social media platforms into spaces that may be outside of your comfort zone?

The part that stuck out to me the most in Amber Glauser’s interview was when she talked about how she likes to align with the people that challenge her. She stated the importance of learning from people who are critical of her, and thus, going outside of your comfort zone, as it allows one to improve and expand their knowledge. By taking Amber’s advice, i think its important for me to put myself in a position in my PLN to move outside of my comfort zone, and engage with people who challenge my opinions and ideas. Additionally, I think its important for me to expand my PLN through different social media platforms and begin to familiarize myself with twitter and linkedin. This will allow me to grow my leanings through engagement with more people.

References:

Del Giudice M. (2014) From Information Society to Network Society: The Challenge. In: Social Media and Emerging Economies. SpringerBriefs in Business. Springer, Cham. https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.1007/978-3-319-02490-5_5

Miller J. (2020) EDCI 338 A01- Amber Glauser. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiWaXNfnHAg&feature=youtu.be

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

1. Open dialogue about media literacy and factual information can create conflict, why does this happen?

To begin, media has become a powerful influence in the 21st century and thus, in order to be critical media consumers, one must develop skills to practice media literacy. Media literacy provides a framework that allows individuals to access, analyze, and then evaluate the information provided to them (Trilling and Fadel, 2012). It is important because developing those essential skills to dissect information presented by media, will allow for a better understanding of the role media has taken in society. Additionally, by teaching people about media literacy, individuals are able to raise the right questions about what one is watching or reading. Thus, they are able to control the interpretation of the media being produced instead of believing “fake news” being spread in media. However, to address the question, open dialogue about media literacy and factual information can create conflict when looking at media from a business perspective. Julie Smith’s video allowed me to better understand the business side of media. She mentioned that media gives viewers what they want to see, not what they need. For example, she explained that if 90% of the audience liked dogs and hated cats then the media platform would only promote positive messages surrounding dogs and negative comments about cats. This is because bias media makes money. The media industry thrives on “fake news” to make its profit. Thus, talking openly about media promoting bias information would cause less people to watch it, and therefore, the industry would lose its consumers, and ultimately, its profit.

2. What is the benefit of having a PLN that values media literacy?

Before answering this question I wanted to address some important aspects of the article “Digital Literacy Skills-Info-Savvy, Media-Fluent, Tech-Tuned”, especially those that looked at the power of teaching students the importance of media literacy. One of the quotations that stood out to me the most was “our next generation students will have unprecedented power to amplify their ability to think, learn, communicate, collaborate, and create”(Trilling and Fadel, 2012). I think its important to acknowledge that young children will soon be in powerful representative positions in society and therefore, they must be taught about media literacy, especially, in their own PLN. Practicing media literacy will teach individuals the value of verifying information, as well as recognizing and respecting other peoples points of view. For example, making sure information you are finding is accurate and then citing other peoples work is extremely beneficial as it recognizes their ideas as theres, and acts as a supports to your own opinions. Additionally, using media literacy in your PLN encourages critical thinking. For example, you are analyzing the accuracy of work, which allows allows you to identify what is fact and what is a marketing ploy. Ultimately, media literacy builds a greater understanding of the implications and benefits that develop out of the fluidity in media.

1. Identify the risks and benefits of engaging with a public audience in a media space – what are the risks for a public figure or person in a position of trust (educator, lawyer, government official)?

There are many benefits that come from engaging with a public audience through social media. For instance, its a great opportunity to grow your platform and form connections with people that can form lifelong friendships or may further your career path. Engaging with people through social media also allows you to connect with people from different backgrounds, therefore, allowing you to learn from others experiences and perspectives. Moreover, social media acts as a direct connection with people around the world that you can learn from and whom you can share your knowledge with. However, engaging with people also comes with risks. Forming connections with people over social media also gives them access to the information you share on your platform. In terms of a person in a position of trust, they would want to ensure that the information they are providing to their audience is accurate. Making sure that you are balancing in engaging content that can be discussed and debated while also making sure that you are being respectful and aware of other peoples opinions and reactions. By looking at this question in terms of being an employee of a company, one can face many risks on the content they post. Many people forget that posting on their personal platforms, even when they are private, are accessible to nearly anyone who wants to access it, including a boss. When you are hired by a company or business, your actions in person and on social media is a direct reflection of them. Thus, it is extremely important to make sure you are aware of the conversations and information you are posting.

2. How do notable individuals use social media?

Many influences use social media for different opportunities in their career and personal life. As I discussed above, social media platforms can be a great way to gain a following and create conversation around your platform. However, social media can also be a great tool to form income. For example, many notable individuals use social media to do paid sponsorships for companies. Brands are able to market their product, and individuals are able to capitalize on their influence to gain an income. Additionally, I have seen many influencers use their platform to bring awareness to a particular area of interest. This has been something I have seen for recently with the upcoming 2020 presidential election. Many people who have gained a following on social media are posting the importance of voting, which is encouraging many adolescence to get out and vote.

3. What are the benefits of being in the public eye and having a PLN? (career development in the public eye)

In Sophie Liu’s interview for the class talked about some of the benefits she’s experienced from social media. The first one she talked about was that she feels like she needs to remain active on social media to stay relevant. She expressed that social media is constantly growing, and without her continuous use of it, she fears her followers could loose interest. Additionally, she said that one of the biggest benefits she gains from using social media is the opportunity to learn from a wider intellectual world. She expressed her love for constantly educating herself on new topics and perspectives that she would of never otherwise considered.

4. Building community with online tools provided by the employer can be limiting, what are the perceived restrictions and benefits of having social media directly associated with employment? (verified accounts because of employment, accounts that are professional versus personal, hybrid accounts)

This topic, was one that was new to me, I have never had social media that has directly been associated with my employer so I did some research on the topic and found the article “Managing and Leveraging Workplace use of Social Media”. One of the benefits it talked about included the ability to use knowledge-sharing platforms, such as blogs, or discussion posts (Shrm, 2019). I think these would be extremely useful in a workplace as they can increase employee engagement and communication with coworkers. Colleagues are then able to share experiences on the job that helped or hurt them, or gives the workplace the ability to have open discussion boards with answers to questions that employees have. However, by having your social media associated with your employer can also create some restrictions. For example, depending on the job, clients may want to be able to reach out to you with confidential information. If you are using a platform that is connected to the business as a whole, you may loose out on building personal connections. This is because people might not be comfortable with sharing personal information with an entire business, which could lead to them not moving forward with your company.

5. Delivering information in a connected society requires verifiable resources, how does one build a PLN that can be consistently relied on?

I think its important when sharing information is to make sure your arguments can be backed up. For example in the chapter 4 of the article “Navigating Social Journalism: A Handbook for Media Literacy and Citizen”, they talked about the importance of being able to justify and back up your arguments. I believe that people respect their followers more when they are transparent and accountable for the information they share. For example, if you make a mistake its better to own up to it and correct the error, then to just pretend that it didn’t happen. Consistently posting and making sure your content connects to a similar message will slowly allow your followers to gain trust in the credibility of the information you are sharing and the more likely they are to continue to follow you.

6. How do those, who are veteran story tellers, minimize risk in sharing misinformation?

I think when being someone who likes to tell stories its easy to share information that may not be accurate. In order to prevent this one thing someone could do is share stories that they have experienced first hand. Then they wont run into problems that stem from misunderstanding someone else’s story. However, I do understand that you cant always share your own experiences, thus, if you are going to share a story that isn’t yours its important to research the topic beforehand. This can come from looking at multiple different sources and including this in your post so your followers can see that your information is correct.

References:

Hirst, M. (2018). Navigating Social Journalism. doi:10.4324/9781315401263

Miller J. (2020). EDCI 338 A01- Lui, Sophie. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T4jOdKd12I&feature=youtu.be

Shrm. (2019, August 16). Managing and Leveraging Workplace Use of Social Media. Retrieved October 29, 2020, from https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/toolkits/pages/managingsocialmedia.aspx

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

Social Media plays an extremely important role in community-based communications especially this year with staying in you “social six bubble”, due to the pandemic of Covid-19. Social media provides a platform for like-minded individuals to come together and foster relationships. It creates a positive interaction for engagement to learn new perspectives and share content you feel is important. Social media provides the means to solicit and promote feedback on the demands and interests that the community wishes to express. Companies or other individuals can then learn from their responses and improve their experiences by implementing proper resources to strengthen their relationships. Social media also helps to raise awareness and debate social issues that can mobilize people to call for action. Moreover, by social media strengthening positive relationships, people are more likely to come together for social change.

How does social media challenge community-based communications?

As much as social media has become a valuable component on community-based communications it also does pose some challenges. Its important to remember that social media is still an institution used to drive profit. For example, social media accounts post “fake news”; the promotion of false information that is designed to influence ones opinion into a particular direction. Posting news with controversial headlines or topics creates more conversation around your cost which in turn, drives up the profit. This can be problematic, as posting fake news on social media can easily spread misinformation on important topics. Additionally, social media has allowed for easy gathering for positive interaction, however, the same is true about negative interactions. Many organization, for example, far right ideologies like male supremacy, are now easily able to connect with people who they may not of found in face-to-face contacts and therefore, grow their beliefs and ideology.

Within community engagement, are their extended rules from the employer that you should consider? Are there cultural sensitivities that should be considered?

I think that when connecting with people in the community you should go into with the notion that you are ready and willing to listen to those around you. People have different experiences and undergo different opportunities and challenges that may give you a better perspective on a particular topic. Furthermore, as you are engaging in these community based networks you also want to consider extended rules around your employer and cultural sensitivities. When you are employed, you are a reflection of the people you work for and with. You want yourself and the company you work for to be proud for the comments you are making and the community members you are engaging with, as it is a direct reflection of them. To continue, social media has given us the opportunity to share our opinions and values while remaining anonymous, which can have many positive and negative outcomes. While posting online it is extremely important to be responsible and respect other peoples beliefs, even if they are not a reflection of our own.

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

I think that when communicating in a public platform, like social media, it is important to conduct yourself the same as you would if you were communicating face-to-face with someone. Social media should act as another opportunity to connect with people that you may never be able to meet face-to-face, not an opportunity to remain anonymous behind a computer screen. Your PLN should reflect who you are in in person commutations because posts made to the internet are permanent and therefore, can be accessed by anyone at anytime. I want my PLN to be a positive environment where everyone feels comfortable engaging in conversation and open to other peoples opinions and ideas.

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

I think both the guests this week, Angie Kermer and Mike Russell, did a good job at talking about how to balance your professional and personal life in creating a PLN for developing a successful career. I appreciated Angies look on forming relationships. She stressed the importance of not using people to “get ahead” but that the meaningful connections you share with someone will take you so much farther. This can connect to forming a PLN because when connecting with community members on your social media, you want to engage in a meaningful way. People are more likely to respond, ask questions, and promote your platform when you are reciprocating the same interest in the topic. Additionally, Mike also touched on the importance of making a balance in your professional and personal life. He said that he never wanted to become involved in social media and technology using but that when the opportunity came to change his career path he jumped at the opportunity. By following his personal attitudes towards social media he would never of experienced the opportunities he has had today. Therefore, he notes the significance that your professional and personal views don’t always have to align and can stay separate from one another.

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?

I think one of the things I can do to evolve my communication with my community members is to take the opportunity that going to University offers to get involved and meet new people. It only takes one conversation to gain a connection that could greatly expand your network. As people get to learn more about who I am i want to make people comfortable with sharing their ideas. I want to ensure that those in my PLN know that I want to constantly be learning from them to expand my knowledge. Additionally, being transparent with members of my community can allow me to build equitable relationships that promote continuous improvement, and provide accountability for me to put energy into building a two way relationship.

References:

Miller J. (2020) EDCI 338 A01- Russel, Mike. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH_UiTWYYwU&feature=youtu.be

Miller J. (2020) EDCI 338 A01- Kermer, Angie. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73KOxy_fMSM&feature=youtu.be

1. Explore how you would create a PLN prior to building a podcast on a topic of your choice. Please include an exploration of how would you emulate success stories in this space (podcasts that you’ve listened to or seen become noteworthy), and how would you use your PLN with the intent to expand your audience?

Podcasts have become one of the most common and popular ways to obtain and release content. Podcasts allow you to take part of a community, where you can educate yourself on particular topics and discuss with others who share similar interests and ideas.

The podcasts I listen to the most are crime podcasts based out of Canada. So therefore, if I were to make a podcast I would probably make one based on true crime. Before creating a podcast I think its important to first focus on who your target audience will be, as well as the content you are looking to discuss. Additionally, its important to understand where your audience congregates online and use this information to pick a platform that best matches and will make the biggest impact on your ideal listener.

When trying to decide what makes a good podcast, I began to think of what I like about the podcasts I listen too. One of ways a podcast will capture my interest in when they host guests on their show. It brings a new perspective to the show, offering a new way to connect with the audience. Furthermore, its important to actively engage with your listeners and make meaningful connections to build a positive and informative community. By responding to comments and direct messages from followers you are promoting an interactive and positive space for people to discuss aspects of your podcasts with each other and with yourself.

In order to gain more followers and promote your podcast Mo Amir mentions that its also a good idea to go on other podcasts and social media pages, to introduce yourself to people who may not otherwise have come across your page. To continue, a lot of good podcasts use their personal social media platforms to promote their most interesting moment of each individual podcast as a way of attracting their followers to listen to the entire podcast.

2. Additionally, explore some of the privacy/security concerns to consider when developing an audience on any social media platform? What are the concerns for individuals who become influential in a social space?

There are also many security concerns that develop when forming an audience on a social media platform. For instance, one needs to be careful of the personal information they leek. By including things like your name, birthday, and high school you graduated from on your facebook account, for instance, is allowing your followers the ability to know these private aspects of your life. Those who have become more influential on social media have to be very cautious of the content they share. For example, before they post a picture or video they must first look through the material and make sure it doesn’t have any defining characteristics that could give up where they live. This can include making sure a street sign or address on a package isn’t in view. Putting yourself in a position of influence on a social media platform can be a very vulnerable position, so its important to protect your identity when it comes to personal information.

References:

Miller J. (2020), EDCI 338 A01- Amir, Mo. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyODAhviQyA

How diverse is your existing PLN?

My PLN is pretty diverse, I have been able to communicate with people all over the world who have shared experiences that I otherwise would of never knew. It has opened my eyes to different beliefs and ideas that have become reflective of my views on day-to-day experiences, as well as contemporary issues. Additionally, by having a diverse PLN, I am able to have access to opportunities that I would probably not of found on my own. Other people’s interests and experiences have led me to occupation ideas that I have never even thought to consider.

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

My PLN is reflective of my life outside of social media. I have opinions on subjects that I am passionate about, but I would never force my opinions onto someone else. I like to constantly be learning about other people’s perspective and educate myself on other beliefs. In my PLN I think it’s important to hear and listen to those with different ideas, as it allows for me to develop new insights on something I maybe never would have considered. Additionally, it has given me the opportunity to educate myself on challenges that I may not have faced in my life, but has been something that has shaped the people around me.

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

I have used my PLN in different ways to discuss with people whom I have common interests with, and to engage with other perspectives that I may not have previously considered. My PLN has become a way to connect with other students, especially with Covid-19 placing our learning online. It has allowed me to join groups within my major or particular classes that I am in, where we can discuss topics we are learning. It has also allowed me to keep in touch with all my high school graduates, which has given me the ability to educate myself on so many different topics, with us all having different backgrounds and going down different career paths.

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

I can use my PLN to broaden my views of inclusion by looking at everyone in my communities as an educator, where I can constantly be learning new things from those around me. I think EDCI 338 is a great place to expand your PLN, as you are able to interact with people who come from all over the country who want to share their opinions. It’s important to listen to other people’s experiences and gain knowledge from the opportunities and mistakes they have faced.

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

My goal for my PLN is to make sure it is a space where all are welcome, as well as one where people are comfortable enough to share their thoughts and views. Moore (2017) says that “inclusive education relies on the diversity of its ecosystem to not only promote coexistence and tolerance, but to thrive on the learning and interaction of each person in the community”. I understand this to mean that we are constantly learning, especially from those around us. Therefore, in order to promote new learning, you must create a diverse community within your PLN, otherwise your perspective and understanding will never be challenged and therefore, will remain stagnant. Education is constantly changing, and without gaining new insights, from those around you, your perspective can never evolve.

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

I feel like there is still a lot of work left to tackle when it comes to segregation and inclusion. We need to start valuing people’s strengths that they offer instead of looking and excluding them for the difficulties they face. I think reading this article has allowed me to see that inclusion is more than just having everyone being present in the same space. It’s about a sense of belonging which will create engagement and therefore, collaborative ideas. Diversity allows for students increased understanding of different backgrounds, experiences, hardships which prepares them to thrive in their adulthood.

References:

Moore, S. (2017). One without the other : Stories of unity through diversity and inclusion. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca

This is my version of a V&R model that depicts my network presences when using technology and the web. Moreover, its a way to learn what motivates ones different types of engagements they use when seeking information through technology (“Digital Visitor and Resident”, 2020) .

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

With the new norm of remote learning being introduced due to Covid-19, zoom has become a more popular way for students to grow their professional network. Technology has allowed for students to continue with their education when we are unable to meet in person anymore. Thus, allowing students to engage and remain connected with other classmates and professors. Additionally, online learning has forced students to expand their professional networks by using social media to communicate with group members for projects and form study groups. For myself, I have used facebook to join groups of likeminded people or used the facebook messaging app to get in touch with group members.

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

I can expand my professional learning network by using it to build relationships with potential employers. For example, I want to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher after finishing my undergraduate degree. To expand my professional learning network I can join groups with other graduating students or those who are already teachers to ask questions on how they got into the field or any advice they have on searching for a job.

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

In my network, I can post experiences I have had while going through my degree or opportunities and struggles I have faced throughout my career. Additionally, once I gain more experience I can post valuable resources that I have found successful to my peers.

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?

If a potential employer came across any of my networks, my opportunity for employment would not be hindered. I have always been cautious of my posts on social media as I know everything posted and then deleted is still accessible. To answer the question, I think some aspects of certain networks of mine would be beneficial for my career path, while others would have posts that created neither a positive or negative effect.

References:

Digital Visitor and Resident. (2020, September 07). Retrieved September 29, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visitor_and_Resident

What is a digital identity?

According to the article “Digital Professional Identity: Dear Internet! Who am I?”(Jawed, Mahboob, & Yasmeen, 2019), digital identity is the foundation of our online presence, including the make up of our qualities and opinions that distinguish us from one another. Moreover, your digital identity is made up of every appearance you make online, from posts you like, to how you engage with others in comment sections of social media. To continue, your digital identity becomes your footprint on the web, making all online activity easily traceable and therefore, accessible. Thus, your digital actions and communications can affect opportunities, such as future employment and scholarships.

How do personal versus professional approaches to digital identity affect social media use?

Someone that is using social media for professional reasons, should not be posting controversial or offensive context onto their platform, as that becomes a direct reflection of their companies culture. However, professionals utilize online platforms to interact with people and promote their business. Therefore, their digital identity will probably surround ideas focussed around their professional goals, instead of personal opinions. In contrast, personal approaches to digital identity tend to reflect ones engagement with family and friends. Meaning that their personal identity would tend to be made up of more intimate conversations and beliefs.

How do digital identities converge in networked publics – what are the impacts and/or benefits?

It is becoming increasingly hard to to keep your personal digital identity completely separate from your professional life. Thus, with the two digital identities becoming blurred, one needs to be aware of the standard on how much they are comfortable sharing. This is possible as people tend to use their real name for both their personal and professional accounts. Therefore, someone from their work community can easily access ones personal account with just their name alone. Additionally, it is becoming increasingly more popular that employers are looking at potential employees personal accounts to gain perspective on their interests outside of work. Specifically, employers want to make sure that a prospective employee would be a good fit with the rest of the company’s staff. Thus, posts made to personal accounts that reflect inappropriate behaviour or offensive content in the workplace, could cost someone a job.

References:

Jawed, S., Mahboob, U., & Yasmeen, R. (2019). Digital professional identity: Dear Internet! Who am I Retrieved September 25, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31512590