-Explore the video provided and reflect on the themes of a PLN in a professional capacity – how does a PLN give power to messaging for an individual or community?

A PLN gives communities and individuals the power to message, especially to those who “traditionally might not have a media space” (Miller 3:07-3:13) or people all over the world (Baker 4:24-4:28). A PLN can also be your support system (Baker 4:05-4:07) as it is your own online community you can reach out if you need anything. I use social media to message my friends all the time whether it is to ask a question, send a funny picture, or just to check in. I also actually just used my social media to reach out to a local teacher for this classes’ year-end project which was super neat.

-Education occurs in so many environments beyond the classroom, how does social media help expand education and associated needed communications? 

Social media is an excellent way to expand education and associated needed communications as you are able to reach a large number of various people fast. Social media also gives the ability for someone to upload videos and pictures to provide visuals to enhance learning. Pictures and videos will not disappear after you leave the page unlike when you leave the classroom, they will always be there to go back to. Whenever I have a post I find informative on Instagram, I use the “save” tool, and that way I can go back whenever I need to read it again. I also appreciate the people who post on social media about current events like the disheartening news about the residential schools’ discoveries. I do not watch the news on TV so for me, if it wasn’t for social media I would not be learning about what is happening, at least not as fast as I do now.

– Community communications go beyond blogs and social media shares, how does a PLN help the development of thoughts and ideas in discourse?

PLN’s help the development of ideas in discourse by building a community from all over the world. Baker mentioned that a local person he follows, Leona Prince brings “a lot of feelings and emotions to her social media use” (Baker 14:45-14:49) and this goes further beyond her just posting and sharing. She is connecting with people, building a community by tapping into people’s emotions. Baker also mentioned a lady named Connie Walker who he follows. I decided to look her up on Instagram. She is using her PLN to the fullest. She not only posts pictures and captions of other people’s stories but she also posts pictures and videos of herself. This adds another layer to her PLN as it allows her followers to have a stronger connection with her. She also has a podcast where she speaks upon the stories of murdered and missing Indigenous women.

– What are some problems or risks to consider with social media communications when discussing topics that may be uncomfortable but reflect needed change?

There are a few risks or problems to consider with social media when discussing topics that may be uncomfortable. Brad Baker stated in his interview that in mainstream media people are either left or right-wing. Not everyone is going to like what you have to say and that’s okay. If your resources are not authentic; if they aren’t coming from the people who experienced it first hand (Baker 8:15-8:19) then it can be tricky as some of the information could be false (Baker 7:30-7:33). I also think before you decide to discuss any topic, make sure you are educated in it first.

I wanted to touch on the downfall of social media with regards to the events that have happened in London, Ontario, and in Kamloops. It is extremely easy for anyone to sit behind a computer screen and leave hate comments on people’s posts, or share things that should not be shared. I bet you a lot of people in real life would not be able to express their hate as much as they do on their PLN’s. The hate has always been there but it is amplified now on social media. I want to get better at instead of just ignoring what people say to instead report them. I also think following more people of the minority and accounts that educate on my PLN would be beneficial. The work of reconciliation has only just begun and it takes each and every one of us to show our love and support for everyone.

Sources-

“A01 Schedule with Jesse.” EDCI 338, edtechuvic.ca/edci338/a01-schedule-with-jesse/. (Image)

Baker, Brad. “Brad Baker EDCI 338.” Youtube, uploaded by MILLER, 10 June 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5z8iHxW2n4&ab_channel=MILLER