Personalized Learning Networks (PLN)
I personally use a variety of social media platforms to develop my Personal Learning Network (PLN). The platforms I use most frequently are Instagram and TikTok, and I occasionally use Facebook as well. I’ve found Instagram especially helpful for consuming content related to my interests, such as cooking and baking videos, as well as fitness content that helps keep me motivated to stay active and engaged in my hobbies.
On TikTok, I follow influencers and creators who positively influence me. I also have my own profile where I’ve uploaded a few silly videos from the past, which makes the platform feel more personal and fun. TikTok has grown significantly over the past few years, and there are many ways to engage with others, such as following creators, liking and commenting on videos, and saving content that I find useful or inspiring. Facebook surprised me with how often I actually use it when I think about it. I frequently use Facebook Marketplace to browse or sell items I no longer want, which has been very helpful. Beyond that, Facebook also allows me to stay connected with people I know and discover others who share similar academic or personal interests.
All three of these platforms allow me to build connections with others in different ways. Whether it’s adding people I already know or connecting with individuals who share similar interests, these social media apps have helped me expand my PLN and engage with a wider learning community.
Risks and Rewards of Public Communication
I try to be carful with what I post online because I understand the importance of protecting your own personal information and also the type of interactions I am having with others. My social media accounts are private and that allows me to have control over who I want to see my account as social media such as instagram exposes a lot of your day to day life. Things like posting on your page, story, or even things you are tagged in you can get an understanding of who you are. The risks are oversharing personal information, bring misinterpreted on a comment, or even taken out of context. The rewards are allowing yourself to network and connect with people, allowing yourself to engage in conversations and expressing own perspectives and insights.
Digital Idenity
Understanding the importance of digital Identity is the reason why my instagram is private. Allowing myself to be able to pick and choose who gets to see my instagram and view everything gives me a sense of security and safety. I also believe it’s important to keep my professional and personal life separate. I personally wouldn’t want my employer seeing my instagram, preferably only friends and family. Having a Digital Identity is also the cost of being a student, from when you are admitted to the school you get a personalized V number, a Uvic email, access to brightspace and many other online services. Digital Identity is not bad, but helpful and I believe that couldn’t be a student without one.
Nice post! Structurally, I liked the clear breakdown of ideas into sections.
Focusing on the cocntent of the third one: I thought it was interesting how you talk about digital identity as a tool to be used when necessary and safeguarded when not.
Even when we’re talking about personal use, you might have more than one sub-identity: for example, you said that your Instagram is private, but what about your TikTok? If that’s public, do you post different kinds of clips, jokes, etc. there than you do on your Instagram?
That’s certainly how I break things down: on both sides of the personal/professional divide, each platform has a different amount of public- vs. private-facing content.
Hi,
I enjoyed reading your post and how clear it is. I think the image at the top of your post is eye-catching and has already given me a clue about what your blog is about.
I agree with you that I cannot imagine being a student without a digital identity. I have done a course before where I had to submit my coursework through a mail service similar to Canada Post, and then mail my assignments or any questions back to the course provider. It was tedious and frustrating.
I also agree with you that there are many ways to interact with social media, and, like you, I prefer to keep my accounts private. I am also selective about what I share, and if I respond to a post, I do it with positive intent and hope it is received in that manner.
If you are willing to share, I would be interested to know whether you spend more time on one of the social media platforms you mentioned or spend equal time on all of them.
Hey,
I liked your breakdown of the risks and rewards. The part about being misinterpreted in a comment is so real it’s scary how fast things can be taken out of context online. And I definitely agree that having a private account gives you a sense of safety and control.
It’s interesting the way you use Facebook Marketplace, I feel like that’s one of the few reasons people our age even log into Facebook anymore. I only ever use it to find something I am looking to buy.
Nice work on the post!
I think your writing is quite authentic, much like how we really use social media in our daily lives. If you separate Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, I can see them clearly and they won’t be confused. Especially on Facebook, I didn’t expect it to be so commonly used now. The point about marketplace is quite right.