This week’s podcast goes deeper in analyzing the idea of PLN and their use as educative tools. As we continuously discover, the dynamic nature of a PLN allows individuals and students to enhance their personal growth, knowledge, and cultural awareness. This is so because a PLN is ultimately composed of various online elements such as social media, online websites, video platforms, blogs, discords, etc. Everyone can benefit from a PLN; however, students can benefit in particular ways that enhance and connect with their education. More specifically, PLN’s facilitate their ability to gain access to diverse information, keeps them exposed to current events, and provides accessible tools to help them develop specific skill sets. Moreover, PLN’s can also indirectly enhance students critical thinking and problem-solving abilities by providing them a communal environment that fosters communication and networking.
While social media is predominantly used for entertainment purposes, platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit can be used as valuable learning tools. Moreover, its accessibility, ability to connect users, educational resources, and stimulating effects make it practical for information exchange and gaining knowledge. Furthermore, different social media platforms have unique features that cater to different audiences for varied purposes. For example, YouTube is purposeful for instructional videos, LinkedIn is ideal for professional networking and job searching, Instagram is beneficial for creativity and building brand identity, Twitter is advantageous for keeping people aware of current events, and Reddit is useful for the user feedback. Using different forms of social media sources effectively can help individuals maximize their learning and engage with their audiences. Hence, when using social media responsibly, users can expand their social connections and benefit from its educational purposes.
Social media platforms that are beneficial in education:
YouTube: provides a large selection of videos that can be used for instructional purposes. YouTube is a great platform for:
- Visual learning: As a video platform, YouTube offers a library of videos best suited for people who learn easiest through video ques.
- Self-pace learning: YouTube provides viewers the ability to learn at their own pace from their ability to be paused, rewinded, and sped up when necessary.
- Accessibility: YouTube offers closed-captioning for viewers seeking additional learning support. Furthermore, the social media platform is offered for free and can be accessed by anyone with cellular data or internet connection. This allows learners to access high-quality educational content regardless of socio- economic status and geographic location.
LinkedIn: LinkedIn can be a valuable tool for forming professional network connections and staying up to date in industry trends. LinkedIn is a great platform for:
- Skill development: LinkedIn offers a range of learning resources, including courses, videos, and articles that can help people develop new skills or deepen their knowledge in areas relevant to their careers.
- Job opportunities: LinkedIn offers resources for finding new job opportunities for learning about hiring trends in specific industries. It also offers a range of features that can help users stay up-to-date on trends in their work-field.
- Professional networking: LinkedIn is a professional networking platform aims at connecting professionals with other professionals in their field. Building networks allows people to gain access to new perspectives and insights, and potentially connect with mentors or colleagues who can offer guidance and support.
Twitter: Twitter can be a valuable tool for learning because it allows users to connect with subject matter experts, track industry trends, and engage in real-time discussions. Twitter is a great platform for:
- Engage in discussions: Users can engage in real-time discussions with others, making it a valuable platform for asking questions, sharing ideas, and learning.
- Expert insights: Twitter is home to a wide range of subject matter experts, including academics, industry leaders, and thought leaders. By following these experts, people can gain knowledge into their areas of expertise.
- News and updates: Twitter is a fast-paced platform that can be an excellent resource for staying up-to-date on current events. Users can follow news outlets, journalists, and influencers in your field to get the latest updates and insights.
Instagram: Instagram allows users to share photos and videos while providing space for user commenting. Instagram is a great platform for:
- Community building: Instagram can be a valuable tool for building a community around shared interests or topics. By following others in your field, participating in conversation, and engaging with diverse accounts, people can build relationships and develop their skill sets in various areas.
- Creative learning: Instagram is a platform that provides a multitude of accounts users can explore for creative inspiration. By following creative Instagram pages, people can develop their artistic skills and learn new techniques.
Reddit: Reddit is a platform that allows users to share and discuss content on a wide range of topics. Reddit is a great platform for:
- Q&A forums: Many subreddits are designed as Q&A forums, where users can ask questions and receive answers from experts or knowledgeable individuals. These forums can be a great resource for getting answers to specific questions or learning about new topics.
- Specialized communities: Reddit hosts a number of specialized communities, which are dedicated to specific topics or interests. Joining these communities allows users to connect with others who share similar interests and expertise.
- Learning resources: Reddit provides a wide range of learning resources, including educational videos, articles, and tutorials. By searching for relevant subreddits or using the platform’s search function, people have access to resources that can help them deepen their knowledge in a particular area.
Despite the benefits of social media within education, we must consider its effects on those who are most vulnerable. More specifically, we must ensure that social media remains intact with rules of professionalism and regulations due to concerns related to privacy, security and ethics. Professionals in this field must handle a number of important issues. Personal information should never be made available to the public on social media platforms; thus, it is essential to comply strictly to confidentiality laws. Before releasing any anything that regards vulnerable people, it is crucial to get their informed consent or the approval of their legal guardians. To guarantee that private information is only available to the right people, professionals must be knowledgeable with privacy settings. Furthermore, it is essential to maintain a distinct separation between personal and professional accounts to retain professional boundaries and guarantee that conversations and shared information stay within the purview of professional obligations. More specifically, maintaining ethical standards is crucial, as is preventing any kind of exploitation, privacy violation, or distribution of unsuitable information. Throughout this module we have gathered that social media may be an effective tool for networking and teaching, but it must be utilised properly, especially when working with groups who are more vulnerable. To preserve the security, dignity, and privacy of the people they represent, professionals must find a middle ground between utilising social media’s advantages and abiding by rules and policies.
References
Developing Personal Learning Networks for Open and Social Learning / Alec Couros- Chapter 9
https://vut.oer4pacific.org/id/eprint/12/1/Emergence_and_Innovation_in_Digital_Learning.pdf#page= 159
Education in a Connected Culture – https://youtu.be/C5z8iHxW2n4
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