Month: October 2023

Delivering Information in a Connected Society Requires Verifiable Resources, How do you Build a PLN to Rely On?

You can build a PLN that is reliable and delivers information from verifiable resources in a few main ways. One of the main ways is to stay informed yourself, and to take time to do your own research before quickly posting your view on something when you might not be fully aware of the nuances in the situation. Especially with politics, I have noticed that often times influencers are very quick in posting their opinion on something extremely complicated, and it is very easy to tell when they are not actually aware of the circumstances and are just wanting to show their fans that they are taking a stance, even if it isnt educated or productive. It is important to take time to read up on the history and conditions of things such as political events, and remember that the important thing is not just to speak on it immediately so that you can show you care, but to actually use your platform in a responsible way by being as informed as possible. Giving out partial or misinformation if you are undereducated can be dangerous especially if you have a big following, as your viewers are likely to take what your are posting as fact, causing them to be undereducated and unaware as well.

How do Those, Who are Veteran Storytellers, Minimize the Risk of Sharing Misinformation?

Veteran storytellers can minimize the risk of sharing misinformation in many ways. This is especially important with the rise of fake news that is easily spread through social media platforms, and can be extremely damaging. One of the best ways veteran storytellers can remain truthful and factual is by consistently checking their informational sources. It is also important for veteran storytellers to remain objective when discussing things such as political events or world crisis. In the reading this week, “The Political Economy of Fake News”, the author spoke about the importance of remaining bipartisan. It was stated that, “acknowledging one’s own biases as a reporter and media consumer is crucial for promoting media literacy” (Hirst, 2018) because biases can affect the way one views and reports on information as their beliefs get in the way of thinking critically.

Identify the Risks and Benefits of Engaging with a Public Audience in a Media Space – what are the Risks for a Public Figure or Person in a Position of Trust?

There are many benefits of engaging with a public audience through media spaces, but with these benefits come some risks as well. One of the main benefits is the opportunity to use your platform as a public figure to advocate for important issues that you believe in, whether that be social, political or environmental movements. If you are in the position where hundreds of thousands or millions of people are watching what you say and do and taking it to heart, you have the potential to make positive change by spurring your followers to take action along with you. You can draw attention towards current issues that are being faced and provide information about how to take action such as places to donate money or when protests are occurring. One of the biggest risks I think of when I think of public figures with large audiences on media spaces is the extreme lack of privacy they have. I have seen countless videos of invasive and exploitative paparazzi or fans, trying to take footage of public figures in comparable positions, and constantly following them around making it impossibly stressful to even run errands. This invasion of privacy can be extremely difficult, especially if they experience a tumultuous life event like a break up or a death of a loved one that will immediately be relayed to the public through gossip sites and left up to the opinions of people who do not even know them.

How to Best Address Negative Replies and Reviews Which Reflect Your Personal Values?

I think that the best way to address negative replies is to clear boundaries with viewers of your public social media. I have seen many influencers do this in their own way, on a multitude of different negative or hateful comments. One of the most prevalent examples that occurs, especially with female influencers, are comments on their bodies, whether that be through sexualization or criticism. When this happens continuously from individuals claiming to be your fans or supporters, it is understandable that this would make anyone uncomfortable. Many influencers set boundaries by replying to a comment with a video explaining that makes them uncomfortable, to remain respectful and to refrain from doing that in the future. This reply to a comment feature is a facet of TikTok, and allows for comprehensive explanations to be made on negative replies or reviews that are much more genuine than a paragraph of text, and allows for influencers to vocalize their concerns directly. If the negative reply or review is warranted however, and is coming from a place of constructive criticism or concern from viewers about a public figures thoughts, speech or behaviour, it is best to address this criticism in a way that shows you are willing to learn from your mistakes and do better in the future. This acknowledgement allows for growth of the creator and a fortification of the community of viewers and collaborators within the PLN of said individual, as they are able to see their words of constructive criticism be taken to heart and implemented, leading to stronger relationships.

References:

Hirst, M. (2018). Navigating Social Journalism: A Handbook for Media Literacy and Citizen Journalism (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.4324/9781315401263

How Does Social Media Engage Communications?

Social media engages communication effectively in many ways. The ability for instantaneous communication with individuals from all over the world has been able to foster a global community, and allows for people to connect with others that they would never get the chance to speak with in person. This weeks reading, “A New Vision for Public Media – Open, Dynamic and Participatory” delved into the topic of how social media engages communications very comprehensively. The author discussed how social media is able to work as a form of public service broadcasting, but its high speed nature allows for the education, information and mobilization of citizens to happen at a much faster rate. Social media also allows for participation from citizens, rather than just a one way stream of information from the news source to the people, individuals are now able to participate in discussions on any important topic. The reading discussed this idea through the lens of the philosopher John Dewey, who stated that, “conversation was the lifeblood of democracy” and that, “people talking to each other about the things that really affect their lives is what keeps power accountable” (Clark et al., 2011). Another main way that social media engages communication is through the ability to coordinate conversations into movements that are able to effect change in a society. When community members come together in an online space and coordinate events towards a certain goal such as a protest, this provides the opportunity for massive amounts of participation to take place with individuals who share the same values or are working towards the same goals.

How Does Social Media Challenge Communication?

Even though social media engages communication, it is also capable of challenging communication. One of the main ways it can do this is through disinformation. If individuals are unaware, or are purposefully attempting to spread false or misleading information, this can be done rapidly on social media. Especially if involving something topical or eye catching, this misinformation can be seen by individuals and shared quickly to many people in a very short amount of time, resulting in inaccurate information that can be harmful. In our learning pods, Jesse made a great connection of this phenomenon to when Covid was at its peak and the vaccine was just being released. During this time, many individuals were seeing inaccurate and false information on social media and spreading it to their friends and followers about whether the vaccine was effective, the origins of Covid and even if it was a real illness at all. This misinformation can even spread and evolve into conspiratorial thinking. It is always important to do research on the ‘facts’ we see on our social medias from reputable sources that will provide better, more educated answers. Social media can also challenge communication through toxic users that harass or cyber bully others. Because it is possible to create an anonymous persona on social media, individuals may take this as an opportunity to say or do cruel things that they would never do in person. This could lead an individual being targeted by cyber bullying to stop engaging in social media communication, or even delete their accounts all together.

The Policies of Employer Social Media Communication Expectations

Depending on the workplace, there may be varying levels of expectations employers impose on their employees when it comes to how they conduct themselves on social media. These expectations are usually put in place to protect the integrity of the company or workplace and ensure that individuals are behaving in an appropriate and semi professional manner even when they are not at work. This could involve not posting photos where alcohol or drugs are present or rules around engaging in racist, sexist or overall discriminatory behaviour online for example. It may also be important for workplaces to create confidentiality agreements so that employees are not exposing information that should not be disclosed to the public about their workplace. I know for me as a psychology student, confidentiality is a very important thing, and if violated can be grounds for some very serious consequences as it is up to us as employees to foster safe and confidential environments for patients or clients that must not be broken. Policies could also involve not online chatting about other coworkers behind their backs or negatively venting about work to one’s online friends.

How to Better use Social Media to Build PLN? Influencers & Commentators

If influencers and commentators wish to use social media platforms to better build and expand their PLNs, the best way to do so is through communication and collaboration with others in their field. By finding and making contact with peers, experts, other influencers and public figures in their specific area of interest, they are able to use those creators audiences to grow their own, as well as gain insight into how success is created in different spaces. By interacting with their social media content such as commenting on their instagram posts or retweeting their tweet with one’s own thoughts, a presence is established within the community through consistent and productive interaction. Even if you do not yet have a big following, it is equally as important to create your own content and provide your own thoughts on your topic of interest. In the EDCI 338 podcast this week, the interviewee, Markiel Simpson explained that one of the best ways to push your tweets and posts is through hashtags. He noted that especially in his niche interest of activism, as well as in many other spheres, hashtags have become a call to change and action, and are being strategically used by commentators to advocate and spread their movements. By using a specific relevant hashtag, your commentary is categorized with everyone else’s using the same one, and can be easily found by interested viewers who search the hashtag. This allows for movements to grow. It is also important to get involved outside of social media to create face to face connections with peers and collaborators from those online spaces.

What are the Benefits of a Diverse and Inclusive PLN in Social Media Sharing that Understands Where you are Coming From with Messaging that Impacts the Community?

I think that there are many benefits of creating a dynamic and inclusive PLN. One of the main ones is that it creates a space that allows for the individual to gain different perspectives and broaden their ways of thinking because of their PLN members. If you make a conscious effort to collaborate and communicate with individuals from many different backgrounds, they will be able to share their unique experiences and thoughts that may be completely different or even go against your own point of view. This then opens up a great space to have constructive, openminded conversations about topics, in which individuals can gain a greater level of understanding. In these conversations, it is important for PLN members to remain understanding and open to new ideas. This is very important when there are issues impacting the community as it can help community members with problem solving in complex situations, and create new ideas for activism.

References:

Clark, J., Aufderheide, P. (2011). A New Vision for Public Media. In: Jansen, S.C., Pooley, J., Taub-Pervizpour, L. (eds) Media and Social Justice. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230119796_5

Miller, J. (2021, June 2). EDCI – 338 Markiel Simpson. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsoDHGaXNNs

How are you Building a Network of Individuals who are Dynamic, Reliable and Participatory?

I am building a network of dynamic, reliable and participatory individuals in my PLN in a few major ways. The first way is that I make an effort to remain consistent in interacting with those closest to me in my PLN, and am often reaching out to people to keep in touch with them, especially through social media platforms. The article this week discussed the importance of leveraging technology when expanding your PLN, as it is a great way to, “discover people you would have never met otherwise and stay in touch with people that you would have otherwise fallen out of touch with” (Woods, 2013). This point is especially prevalent in my life, as I use social media to keep in touch with my old friends who live all over North America. For around seven years of my life, I attended a month long summer camp on an island in Washington, and made friendships that would continue and strengthen each summer we would return. After we all aged out of the summer camp and were unable to see each other at that scheduled place and time, we used, and still use social media to keep in touch with each other and make our own plans to meet up. Even now in my early twenties, I have plans this coming reading week to visit one of my oldest camp friends, whom I definitely would have lost touch with if not for the ease and convenience of social media. Another way to create reliable and participatory connections is by taking the time and putting in effort to build strong and meaningful connections with individuals in my PLN. I think that this is one of the best ways to achieve reliability, as you are way more likely to rely on someone, share information and hold discussions with them if there is a level of mutual respect, trust and camaraderie. I know I am way more likely to reach out to a colleague or peer I feel close to about a new idea or question about a subject if I feel close to them compared to doing the same with an acquaintance.

Are you Leveraging Healthy Relationships from your PLN for Growth?

I think that I am leveraging healthy relationships for growth from my PLN by building connections with people in my desired career field through volunteering and participating at school. This allows me to gain knowledge from seasoned and knowledgable professionals and ask them questions about their experiences. I am also able to lean on peers for mutual support as we are all in the same position. As Lily said in this week’s learning pods, authenticity is the foundation, and being true to ones self and transparent in interactions is the best way to form healthy and genuine connections.

How would you create a PLN Prior to Engaging in a Social Media Campaign or a Topic of Your Choice?

If I were going to create a PLN prior to engaging in a social media campaign on a topic of my choice I would be sure to gather as much relevant information as possible, so that I already hold a good amount of knowledge before I begin my campaign. I would do this through finding individuals offline who are experts in the field and take time to bounce ideas off them and discuss various related topics. This would also be a great way to build connections with possible collaborators once I begin my social media campaign. Lily made a great point in the learning pods this week, stating that maintaining a consistence presence online by posting related content and engaging in others through seeking feedback is a great way to build a social media platform.

References:

Woods, B. (2013, November). Building your own PLN: seeking new insights and ideas? Expand your personal learning network. T+D, 67(11), 70+. https://link-gale-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/apps/doc/A348998538/ITBC?u=uvictoria&sid=summon&xid=1010abdf

How Diverse is your PLN?

I think that my PLN is diverse, but could be more so. I do have relationships and personal and professional connections with individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds and identities, whether that be nationality, gender identity, sexuality or age group. However, I do think that if I were to utilize social media in a more productive way, I would be provided with more experiences to learn and create ties with others as I would not be constricted by geographical region. Currently I use social media as a way to just consume information, and do not often take part in active conversation or collaboration with others, which would be a great way to diversify the individuals that I am learning from and creating a network with. The podcast we listened to this week, “20 Minutes Moore” discussed this positive aspect of social media, as the interviewee noted that it has become “a more interactive medium” (Miller, 2021) and that everyone has something to offer when it comes to the sharing of information.

How are You Learning From a Variety of Diverse Voices and are You Expanding Your Understanding of the Views of Others?

I am learning from a variety of diverse voices, especially in the more professional sector of my PLN, as I spend time volunteering at a counselling centre for immigrants and refugees, and work alongside colleagues from a diverse array of ethnic backgrounds, individuals from different generations and sexual orientations that allow for the sharing of cultural knowledge and different perspectives and worldviews to further enhance the inclusive environment we are trying to create for the clients coming to Canada from all over the world. I think that being in University is another great opportunity to learn from a variety of voices as well, as we are constantly in classes and spaces with individuals who are different than us, and can discuss topics leaned in classes based on our differing opinions and experiences. I think the best way to expand your understanding of others views is to keep an open mind when someone is sharing their opinion or you are learning new information, as it is often easy to become closed off and confined by your own perspective, especially if you find yourself creating connections and relationships with people who are very similar to you and hold the same views and perspectives.

What is the outcome of your PLN and How are you Ensuring Your Exposure to Diversity and Inclusion

I think that the outcome of my PLN is ever changing and is not static, and will adapt in different ways as I grow and change as well. Right now however, my PLN’s main goal is definitely to keep learning from others and further connect with individuals outside of my direct personal bubble. Especially in this time of my life before I have really began to pursue the professional aspect of my PLN I think it is important to connect with others I can learn from, and gain a more global perspective on aspects of life such as global politics and social movements that are often very nuanced and take multiple perspectives to fully understand. Lily wrote in the learning pods that her parents reminded her of how lucky we are to be able to connect and learn from others through the advancement of technology and I think this is so true. Even in the last ten years the ways in which we are able to gain information and form relationships has become a process that is almost instantaneous because of social media.

How Likely Individuals are Going to Continue with their Created Content and their Network?

Individuals are way more likely to continue with their goals of creating content and expanding their network if they are receiving feedback and interaction from those that they are trying to connect with. In the podcast, Shelley Moore stated that once you realize that, “everyone in your community is a teacher” and are also able to learn from you, “you start to realize that you have something to offer” (Miller, 2021). Interaction and reciprocity allows for the formation of community through content creation, that motivates the creator to continue sharing with others.

Are the Skills that they Developed Applicable in Professional Practices?

The skills that are developed are definitely applicable in professional practices and settings. If we learn how to properly and effectively practice inclusivity, and not just integration, and are cognitively aware of how to refrain from segregative spaces of learning, we can transfer those skills over to create diverse and inclusive professional environments. In the reading, we learned that “inclusion is not a place, a time, or a destination” (Moore, 2016). It is not a practice that can be secluded to a specific setting, and should be comprehensively practiced in every sector of our lives with the skills we have learned in other areas of our lives, including on social media.

How Social Media Can Play a Role in Helping Establish Messaging and Themes that are Inclusive and Diverse:

In any professional setting, social media is able to be used as a tool for the creation of inclusive and diverse spaces and conversations. Social media such as Instagram, TikTok and Twitter can be a great way for diverse voices to be amplified and given platforms to share their perspectives and provide knowledge to others on their areas of expertise. This can be done not only by influencers, but in professional spaces such as webinars, collaborative instagram or TikTok live streams, conversational twitter threads and group chats. In the podcast we listened to this week, Shelley Moore discussed how she learned that on social media it does not have to be just a one way outwards stream of communication to your silent viewers or followers, and that every follower is able to contribute information. She talks about is as a sort of symbiosis, in that she teachers her followers while they teach her. Social media can also be a great way to start the conversations necessary to creating more inclusive spaces in the future, as people from marginalized groups are able to share what would best help meet their needs. We learned in the “One Without the Other: Stories of Unity Through Diversity and Inclusion” reading this week that inclusion is not simply integration, or providing equal opportunity. It is creating spaces that offer supports tailored to the people that need them so that they are able to feel the same level of comfort and participate successfully in professional environments.

References:

Miller , J. (2021, May 30). EDCI 338 – 20 minutes Moore. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeSV0rUl1bA&t=4s

Moore, S. (2016). One without the other : Stories of unity through diversity and inclusion. Portage & Main Press.

What Digital Platforms are Students Using to Develop Their Professional Network?

Linkedin is one of the most relevant platforms for students to develop their budding professional networks, as it allows for connections to be made with individuals in potential future career paths, mentorship to take place, advice to be shared and job opportunities to be explored. It allows for students to connect with peers and mentors all over the world and make valuable connections with individuals they may have never known otherwise. This allows for the sharing of new perspectives, the cultivation of ideas and the trading of insider tips that can help a student jumpstart their professional journey into their field of choice. Especially when looking to gain initial experience and find jobs, Linkedin is an extremely helpful tool as it provides easily accessible job posting and internship opportunities, and puts companies that are looking for new hires in the same space.

What Could the Student Consider in Expanding their Professional Learning Network?

There are many ways in which a student could expand their professional learning network. One of the most beneficial ways is through active engagement in opportunities in ones community and taking part as a member in spaces that pertain to areas of interest both professionally and personally. Like Lily said this week in our learning pods, getting engaged by attending conferences and meetings is key when it comes to expanding ones professional learning network. At UVIC, there are many opportunities to do so through co-ops, meeting sessions within fields of study, and clubs and councils that support career opportunities. As a psychology student, I know there are multiple events throughout the year where we can attend, mingle with graduate students and professors, ask questions, gain information on future paths of study and make connections with professionals and peers in areas relevant to us.

How Does Data Privacy and Security Limit and/or Promote a PLN?

Data privacy can limit or inhibit the creation of connections in a personal and professional learning network, as it may be more difficult to connect with others to share ideas if certain individuals accounts are private or if settings are in place to limit comments or direct messages. In our learning pods this week, Lily made a great point about how secure platforms of communication can promote trust within a personal or professional l.earning network, and is a productive way to encourage meaningful and open conversations as there is less worry about factors such as data mining.

In Your Network, How can you Create a Digital Identity and Reputation?

You can create a reputation for yourself online by remaining consistently mindful about the way in which your online presence is portrayed and the implications of what you are commenting and posting online. For me, it is important to refrain from taking part in negative interactions with others online, for example leaving hate comments, posting a harmful video on TikTok, making fun of someone else or being apart of negative forums and chats. It is important to be mindful of the fact that everything we say, post and interact with on the internet contributes to the building of our digital identity, and that we should do what is possible to make sure it is a positive one.

Consider How an Employer Would Respond if you Applied for a Job With Them and They Assessed your Social Media Presence via your Digital Identity

In my opinion based on my review of my own digital foot we completed last week, if an employer assessed my social media presence there would not be any causes for concern. I tend to remain pretty private online, with private social media accounts that I do not post consistently on. I found that everything attached to my name on google was pretty tame and would not raise any red flags if I was applying for a job.

This is my Visitor and Resident Map: