Explore the video provided and reflect on the themes of a PLN in a professional capacity.
In the course interview with Brad Baker (2021), Brad discussed how beneficial a PLN can be used in a professional capacity. Some common themes that Brad touched on are using your PLN to use your voice, to hear other’s voices, to be used as a support system, to be used for individuals to become positive contributors to society, and to be used for allowing real stories to be told. Starting with the first two, using your PLN to use your voice and to hear other’s voices, relates to when we discussed the idea of inclusivity and diversity in blog post #3. By sharing your own beliefs, values, and information you are putting yourself out there and sharing your knowledge. When you are listening to other people’s beliefs, values, and information, you are allowing yourself to learn. Both of these can allow for people worldwide to engage in conversations and as Brad mentioned, can be used to build a healthy community where stories can be shared. Brad also discusses the idea of using your PLN as a support system, for both yourself and others. You can provide resources for others as well as provide your own stories that may allow others to feel included and not alone. This also leads to individuals becoming positive contributors to society. By providing knowledge and information, you are allowing others to look to you for guidance and support. As well, by engaging with others who share their knowledge and information, you are supporting them and others around them. Finally, your PLN can allow for real stories to be told, where individuals can hear stories firsthand.
Which social media platforms are beneficial in education?
Brad Baker (2021), talked about the fact that he uses Twitter, and believes it to be beneficial in education. He believes it to be beneficial because it allows individuals to connect, share stories, read other’s stories, and retweet or contribute to these other stories. In the book by Couros (2010), the author discussed media platforms that were said to be useful in education. These media platforms included WebCT (Blackboard), Moodle, Ning, and Wiki. Now I realize this book was published over ten years ago… but I have not heard of any of these media platforms other than Wiki. I feel as though it would be interesting to see new research on which media platforms are beneficial in education in today’s current system. Personally, I believe LinkedIn to be beneficial in education today. It allows individuals to come together and create personal and meaningful connections.
Consider the equality that exists when all have the same platform to engage community dialogues.
The equality exists when we all have the same platform because we all have the same opportunities, access to the same resources, and use of community dialogues. This allows everyone the same opportunity to engage in community dialogues. An example of this is through our EDCI 338 course. We are all given the same resources to watch and read each week, we are given the same topics to touch on, and we are given a space (WordPress), to do so. We all have the same opportunities and resources to create blog posts, and it creates many different community conversations to engage in.
References:
Couros, A. (2010). Developing personal learning networks for open and social learning: Chapter 6. Emerging technologies in distance education, 109-128. AU Press. https://www.aupress.ca/app/uploads/120177_99Z_Veletsianos_2010-Emerging_Technologies_in_Distance_Education.pdf
Miller, J. [MILLER]. (2021, June 10). Brad Baker EDCI 338 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5z8iHxW2n4
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