Month: September 2023

After doing this week’s readings, watching the videos and reflecting on last week’s readings, a few thoughts kept recurring for me. Firstly, I wonder about personal learning networks and the intersection of critical thinking. Specifically the potential negative side effects of a Personal Learning Network if a person did not possess the critical thinking abilities needed to navigate the internet. Next, I am very curious to learn more about how needing to professionally curate your online presence might affect authentic living and potentially mental health. Finally, I really loved listening to the press conference on “The Value of Digital Identity for the Global Economy and Society” and beginning to consider how a digital ID can actually help people who are living in diverse situations and create more inclusion globally. 

When learning about PLN’s last week the idea of an echo chamber kept surfacing for me. Someone who uses the internet to connect and expand their knowledge in practice sounds really great, however I do see how this could warp a balanced perspective if someone is only seeking out individuals or information that reaffirms their opinions and beliefs. Having your value system be reaffirmed is not a negative thing in itself, it can be very positive and offer a sense of companionship, however, if your beliefs and opinions are never being challenged this removes learning opportunities and a chance at a balanced perspective. I believe the echo chamber can be avoided as long as students are taught from a young age about critical digital literacy and the importance seeking out alternate perspectives has on our growth. 

Our readings have also had a strong emphasis on both a personal digital presence and professional presence, however I am still struggling to understand how we can differentiate between the two. And if we can’t, then I could see how social media may be stripped of its ability to create a meaningful community. From what I understand of my own online presence, my professional digital ID consists of LinkedIn and various websites and portfolios I have had to make for different classes throughout university. I also have Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Vsco, and Reddit. I would consider my presence on these apps to be a personal matter. I am private or anonymous on each platform except for Vsco as it is not an option. What I post on these apps is what creates my online community where I feel comfortable sharing thoughts and photos of my personal life. If there came a time where employers were required to see the entirety of your digital ID, including personal platforms, this would completely remove the sense of community created on these apps. I also wonder how discrimination comes into play when deciding to hire or interview someone based on their digital ID. I fully understand that if you are posting and behaving in a responsible and kind way then there should be no issue with employers seeing your entire digital ID, however, the thought of not being able to put my authentic ID out there still lingers for me. 

After listening to the press conference, I realized how western-centered my thoughts were on Digital ID and PLN’s. I never considered the positive impacts of digital ID for people from different countries and diverse backgrounds. When said aloud it does seem archaic for our only ID to be in the form of paper, especially when living in a world so infused with technology. Having a way for your identity to be reachable at any point would create a world with less metaphorical borders for those who are stuck in situations with no physical copy of their ID. Furthermore, it is awesome how the internet has provided a digital business space so that countries with lower GDP are able to target a global audience. This allows for more financial inclusion which may lead to more wealth distribution around the globe. 

Overall, I have enjoyed learning more about PLN’s and Digital ID’s and will keep my queries in mind for the coming readings. Cheers!

This class is the first time I have heard the term “Personal Learning Network” but when learning about it through this week’s readings I realized that a personal learning network is something I have. I have connections with people from all over, from yoga teachers on Instagram helping me become a better yoga teacher to my cousin who lives in Sault Ste. Marie who sends me cooking videos that will help me learn to become a better cook. In these instances, I am using social media as a way to connect and network with others as a form of learning. 

 In the “What is a Personal Learning Network” article I really enjoyed the example of Covid-19 being a time when everyone had to engage in lifelong learning and come together through online networks. I remember thinking that it would be absolutely insane for business to start getting shut down, and then two weeks later I was already adapted to the new norm. It is truly amazing how adaptable we are as humans. Similarly, the way University students adapted to online learning and workers started to work from home. I think this kick-started the tech revolution for those born before the 2000s, they couldn’t reject technology as an option anymore. I think this has also upped the ante for personal learning networks. 

In my opinion, people are motivated to network by their desire to get ahead in life, either personally or professionally. Prior to Covid-19, an online personal learning network might have been something only a handful of working adults had. In 2023, most people have some form of online presence whether it is linked in, social media, or something else. 

The rewards of public communications are vast, but the main one discussed in our readings and generally, would be ease of access to information. Prior to the internet, there were gatekeepers of information and knowledge. Now, you can search pretty much anything on the internet and find an answer. This brings me to one of the risks of online public communications. Just like we can look anything up, we can also post whatever we want. This requires us to become digitally literate: being able to critically analyze information that is posted on the internet. We need to learn to start asking questions like “Who wrote this? What is their purpose for writing this? Am I being convinced of something? and, Is there another side to this?” Information can be easily skewed and manipulated on the internet so digital literacy is a very important aspect for someone to learn who wants to engage with public communications or a personal learning network.