(edci338) yuqing's blog

Group project: the impact of PLN on the Epidemic (final project)

Hello everyone,

When I clicked into your group’s website, I was attracted. Your group used some colorful photos to make this look more interesting. Three different knowledge sections discussed the relationship between PLN and pandemic, the impact of PLN in pandemic and the importance of PLN during pandemic. It involves a lot of aspects and provides references, which is a work with high integrity. In terms of content, I am most interested in the safety mentioned in “the importance of PLN in the Epidemic”. The inclusivity in PLN helps people get in touch with new knowledge and new people, and express their views more directly. But at the same time, our privacy also respects the risk of being exposed. How to keep privacy when accepting the benefits of PLN is a problem we need to consider.

In short, your group’s work is really well completed. Thank you for sharing.

Group members: Chloe Ian, Zhefu Li, Ruobing Bai.

I choose to show blog1，blog2，blog3，blog7 and blog8.

The first one choose to grade is blog 1:

What does it mean to network using social media?

With the rapid development of the Internet in the 21st century, most people choose to create their own social media on the network, which has become a mainstream trend. By watching videos, I think the establishment of social media on the Internet means that people’s contact becomes more convenient and people’s contact with society becomes closer. While providing a platform for people to communicate with others, the Internet also helps people have the opportunity to understand real-time information from all over the world. Various functions mean that the establishment of social media on the network means the progress of communication methods and has a significant impact on the evolution of learning methods. 

How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?

Because the network is a very important factor in career in today’s society, people are encouraged to participate in networked public.I think the best way to encourage them to use it is to let them understand the benefits of this feature.It can attract the public from the aspects of purpose, inclusion, usefulness, security, and offering choice.

What are the risks & rewards of public communications?

The biggest risk of public communication is the control of users’ private information. Danah mentioned that “even reaching true control is nearly impossible because control presents many things that are often untenable.” this is very important because it means that the possibility of privacy information exposure will not be completely solved at the present stage. In addition, the control of information is not as simple as we think. Any mistake in operation may cause a large number of leakage of user privacy. Data workers need to be highly concentrated at all times to ensure the security of the database.Despite the risk of information exposure, the return brought by public communication can not be ignored. Public communication provides users with a variety of information sources and channels to help users understand the latest news. Get the most efficient return with the lowest cost.

What is a digital identity?

A digital identity is the online identity that a person shows to others on the network. It is a plate that can represent the user’s personal identity and personal characteristics. According to the content shared by the user, interaction with others, search records and a series of aspects that can analyze personal characteristics, it shows the entity information that the user may exist to others.

How do personal versus professional approaches to digital identity affect social media use?

Digital identity can often represent a person’s self without disguise in the most relaxed state. Because a person can have many social accounts, such as Facebook and instagram. It is difficult for users to disguise themselves all the time. They can often expose their true self on social software. The interviewer can use this as a pre interview. Before the real interview invitation, try to find out whether this person is the talent the enterprise really needs on the Internet. This is very beneficial because it can save time for both sides and avoid recruiting employees whose personal ideas are opposite to the corporate culture. However, this does not mean that digital identity and social media will only bring more challenges to candidates’ career. There are many people whose resumes or grades are not the most attractive to the interviewer. The interviewer will give him extra points according to his performance on social media, such as enthusiasm for new things, inclusiveness to society and other positive personality characteristics. In short, social media and digital identity can have a great impact on the user’s career, both positive and negative, depending on the user’s own conditions.

How do digital identities converge in networked publics – what are the impacts and/or benefits?

The combination of digital identity and networked public is a trend. When we expose our thoughts and reading footprints to the networked public, it means that our digital identity is also tracked. This may have a negative impact, for example: personal ideas are over amplified and analyzed, resulting in misunderstanding. But at the same time, we can also benefit from it, such as showing personal charm to people who have not been contacted offline, attracting more friends and bosses, and then getting more opportunities.

References:

Danah Boyd(2012), Networked Privacy,https://doi.org/10.24908/ss.v10i3/4.4529

Eric Stoller(2016), What is Digital Identity, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0RryRbJza0

What is a Personal Learning Network (PLN)?, https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/learning-network-age/0/steps/24644

The second choose to grade is blog 7:

Explore the video provided and reflect on the themes of a PLN in a professional capacity.

PLN allows the audience to receive open and inclusive real information. As Mr. Brad Baker said, PLN allows the voice to tell the truth to exist. The shared story will not appear false information because of political position or private interests. Compared with second-hand information or third-hand information, the form of PLN dissemination of information is more meaningful. In addition, allow more influential people to exist and work together to maintain the health of the community.

Which social media platforms are beneficial in education?

There are many social media platforms that are good for education. As mentioned in Alec couros’ article, it is most important to understand how these tools work and how to use them in combination with learning. In my opinion, YouTube is a good educational platform. Its video coverage is very wide and there are many choices. We can find what we are interested in and use it as a tutorial to learn knowledge.

Consider the equality that exists when all have the same platform to engage community dialogues.

I think that when everyone has the same platform to participate in community dialogue, the existing equality is that everyone can have the same opportunity to express their views. In addition, everyone has the same opportunity to become an influential person through the platform.

References:

Couros, A. (2010). Developing personal learning networks for open and social learning. In Velestianos, G., (Eds.). Emerging technologies in distance education. (pp. 109-128). AU Press. 

Miller. (2021, June 10). Brad Baker EDCI 338. YouTube.         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5z8iHxW2n4

In today’s society, the Internet and mobile communication spread rapidly all over the world. As early as 2013, more than 2.7 billion people were using the Internet. Creating PLN on the Internet has become an indispensable behavior for contemporary people to show themselves.

Can your PLN be used to help professional development post-course?

I think PLN can help me with my career development after finishing my studies. In addition to using traditional job search websites such as indeed, I can also register an account on LinkedIn. On LinkedIn, I can improve my own information, including my past learning experience, internship experience and professional fields I am good at or interested in. In this way, more predecessors or friends in the same field can find me and communicate with me. This can help me get more job opportunities and contacts.

Can your PLN be relied on to open professional opportunities?

I think I can open up professional opportunities through PLN. Like Mo Amir, he communicates directly with many people through Twitter and gets more followers willing to communicate with him over time. In this context, create a dialogue to share and then show yourself. I think I can also contact more professional people through my own PLN, so as to get more professional opportunities.

References:

A Global PLN – Supporting One Another – Course YouTube Channel

Social Media and Emerging Economies Technological, Cultural and Economic Implications – Chapter 5- From Information Society to Network Society: The Challenge https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/book/10.1007%2F978-3-319-02490-5

What is media literacy?

Media literature is a kind of media to help people convey information, such as print, graphics, animation, audio, video, website, etc. Media literature has factual information that people can evaluate, as well as key information that we don’t know.

Why is it important?

This is helping us get to know each other in interesting ways, which was impossible decades ago. It provides a framework for people to understand, analyze, evaluate and create various forms of information. It gives people some opportunities to study basic information and express themselves.

Why is it dismissed?

This may lead to an excess of information. Too much information at the same time may make people don’t know what is true. Figuring out “what’s true” is extra work, and it’s hard to figure it out. In addition, not all information can be evaluated through the network, and some may need to be evaluated face-to-face or written on paper.

Why should you aim for varied views but the factual consensus in your PLN?

Nowadays, there are problems of political advertising and polarization, which may even cause radical cultural erosion. News media is not only a medium for spreading information, it will even involve commerce, and then affect the economic structure.

Most people are eager to be affirmed. They will choose news that supports their views to understand. The information that the media will provide is what the audience wants to hear, not what is real and really needed.

References:

Media Literacy – Facts Matter – Course YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/57r3-aEnci0

21st Century Skills – Learning for Life In Our Times Trilling, B & Fadel, C – Digital Literacy Skills – Media Literacy pp.66 https://go.exlibris.link/B5rkkLw7

o Explore the video provided and reflect on the themes of a PLN in a professional capacity.

PLN allows the audience to receive open and inclusive real information. As Mr. Brad Baker said, PLN allows the voice to tell the truth to exist. The shared story will not appear false information because of political position or private interests. Compared with second-hand information or third-hand information, the form of PLN dissemination of information is more meaningful. In addition, allow more influential people to exist and work together to maintain the health of the community.

o Which social media platforms are beneficial in education?

There are many social media platforms that are good for education. As mentioned in Alec couros’ article, it is most important to understand how these tools work and how to use them in combination with learning. In my opinion, YouTube is a good educational platform. Its video coverage is very wide and there are many choices. We can find what we are interested in and use it as a tutorial to learn knowledge.

o Consider the equality that exists when all have the same platform to engage community dialogues.

I think that when everyone has the same platform to participate in community dialogue, the existing equality is that everyone can have the same opportunity to express their views. In addition, everyone has the same opportunity to become an influential person through the platform.

References:

Couros, A. (2010). Developing personal learning networks for open and social learning. In Velestianos, G., (Eds.). Emerging technologies in distance education. (pp. 109-128). AU Press. 

Miller. (2021, June 10). Brad Baker EDCI 338. YouTube.         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5z8iHxW2n4

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?

The benefits of a diverse and inclusive PLN in social media sharing is this has brought people a truly democratic public life. On this media platform, the public can express their views freely, and the situation of discrimination will be reduced.This is conducive to mutual respect and the development of diversified cultures. It also meets the goals and needs of educating, informing, and mobilizing users. People can communicate directly through social media and learn new ideas, which is a learning process.

Markiel mentioned that there are many audiences contacted on social media. They may come from different countries, races and occupations. Attracting people from different backgrounds means that you can promote your PLN to different circles of friends, which will contribute to better development. While amplifying the views of others, PLN also helps us broaden our horizons and receive new information and views.

Resources:

Clark, J.& Aufderheide, P. (2011). A new vision for public media. Open, Dynamic, and Participator (55-67). Palgrave Macmillan.

Miller, J. (2021, June 1). EDCI-338 MARKIEL SIMPSON. YouTube.       

• 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 (educator, lawyer, government official)?

Interacting with the public audience in media space can bring many benefits to individuals. First, it can increase visibility. It provides a platform for public figures to show their professionalism and interact with the target group, so as to improve their recognition and favor among the target audience. Second, it can improve their own business value. A high number of fans and interaction will attract some businesses or activities, which will bring them personal profits. On the contrary, there will be some disadvantages. First, we are very concerned about the comments on the Internet. Once we accidentally praise or forward some posts with vague views, it will arouse the disgust of the target group. Second, others may create fake social media accounts to attract fans to pay attention to them, which will cause losses of money or other interests.

• How to best address negative replies and critiques reflective of your personal values and employer social media policy?

I think public figures can clarify those reasonable doubts in time, but ignore those unreasonable dislikes. This is because almost no one can get 100% support.

• How do notable individuals use social media?

I think notable individuals should be more cautious when using social media. Because they have more influence, negative comments will have a negative impact on some fans or teenagers. This is also a damage to their own reputation.

• What are the benefits of being in the public eye and having a PLN?

It encourages people to use the Internet to communicate and provides a shared environment for everyone. This helps people to accept, understand and share more different information. This increases social opportunities and helps people better understand each other and communicate effectively.

• Building community with online tools provided by the employer can be limiting, what are the perceived restrictions and benefits?

The advantage of using online tools provided by employers is that they can keep in touch with colleagues and superiors more directly. And this tool is often secure, and there is no fraud and theft of information. But the disadvantage is that there will be fewer functions and a small scope of application.

• Delivering information in a connected society requires verifiable resources, how to build a PLN to rely on?

To create a verifiable PLN, we need to ensure that the published information and speech are true, rational and free of extreme behavior. In this way, it can show a professional and reliable side, and then give a good impression to the target group.

• How do those, who are veteran storytellers, minimize risk in sharing misinformation?

First, they will repeatedly confirm whether the information they share is true, professional and up-to-date. In addition, they will avoid using too absolute adjectives, which may give readers some excessive guidance.

How would you create a PLN prior to engaging a social media campaign on a topic of your choice? 

If I need to create a PLN before launching a social media event, I need to first understand who the main audience of the event is. And according to the data of the Internet, we know the social media and social groups they often appear. The advantage of this is to ensure that my publicity is accurately transmitted to potential participants in this interaction.

Choose a topic, consider your audiences, and consider how you would crate a social media campaign leveraging your PLN.

For example, my theme is related to animals. The audience of this theme should be targeted at pet owners or people interested in pets.These people often appear on Instagram, Facebook or WeChat groups. First, I will make some posters and send them to my account or pet related groups. In addition, I will post posters where my audience may see in the city, such as SPCA, pet store or pet hospital.This will ensure better exposure and preheating of the event.In addition to own publicity, some bloggers can also be invited to forward to increase the exposure of the activity.

• How diverse is your existing PLN?

The diversity of my PLN is getting stronger and stronger as I use the Internet for a long time. I have registered more and more websites to enrich my PLN. According to different purposes, I divide my PLN into three categories: entertainment, social and work.Entertainment includes: YouTube, Tiktok. I often watch some interesting videos on it. Social classes include WeChat, Instagram and Facebook. I share photos on it and chat with my friends. Working classes include LinkedIn and Glassdoor. I usually learn about the work and salary of some economics majors.

• In your PLN, are you learning from a variety of voices or are you the loudest in the room?

In my PLN, I think I prefer to listen to other people’s ideas. I am willing to accept and try to understand everyone’s different ideas. I think this can help me to grasp the deeper level of content.

• Do you participate in a silo of information sharing (similar themes or wide range of interests)?

I once participated in information sharing on the school website. In the discussion section of Brightspace, I often share some views on professional knowledge with my classmates and teachers.

• How can you use a diverse PLN to broaden your views of inclusion?

I think a diversified PLN helps to improve our inclusiveness. In PLN, we can understand the ideas of different people. They may come from different cultures, have different education levels, or have different growth environments. Various reasons can make them have different views and understanding of the same event. Reading and trying to understand these ideas will help to improve our inclusiveness.

• In your professional setting of choice, do you think inclusion is actively embraced?

My professional field is economy. I think the inclusiveness of this major has been actively accepted. There are many industries in this professional field, and many international students choose this major. Most people have positive ideas about this major. The emergence of many students from different backgrounds makes this major more diversified. Everyone is also willing to accept different ideas from others and listen to their opinions carefully. I think my major has completed a good task in terms of diversity and inclusiveness.

• What is the learning outcome of your PLN and how are you ensuring your exposure to diversity and inclusion?

I will enrich my learning achievements by searching the content I am interested in and the content recommended by the system. The system often recommends similar content to me through my search records, which I think will help enrich my learning achievements. For example: I used to search YouTube for tutorials on resume modification. After that, the system often recommends similar content to me, which makes me know more about this knowledge.

• How has your thinking about inclusion and PLN evolved after reviewing the videos and readings?

I have a deeper understanding that inclusiveness is inevitable when developing my PLN. The inclusion of content and other people’s viewpoints allows us to acquire more knowledge.

(V + R picture)

According to my V + R picture, Instagram, WeChat and kakao talk are social media that are used for personal reasons and leave social traces. The main reason why I use them is to use these social media to chat with my friends and publish my latest daily photos. LinkedIn, zoom and work email can leave social traces, but they are usually used for work. Usually I use them to study or work.Twitter is somewhere in the middle. Netflix and Wikipedia can be used for private purposes without revealing traces. Because often we only read some information and videos on it. UVic mail is used for work without exposing traces.  Google search and Youtube are in between. Because the use of these two websites is not only to learn, but also to see some entertainment information. UVic library belongs to institutional, but between visitor and resident. Because I need to log in to view some information which will expose my search trace. But some materials can be viewed without logging in.

What digital platforms are students currently using to develop their professional network?

First of all, I think students will use some social digital platforms to develop their professional network. Through these platforms, students can communicate with their learning partners after class and make progress together. Specific software: Instagram, Facebook, etc. In addition to communicating with their classmates, students can also join some professional discussion groups on Facebook, pay attention to some predecessors on Instagram, and then learn more professional knowledge other than textbooks.In addition to this kind of method of learning more knowledge, students also use some digital platforms to help job seekers. For example: LinkedIn. Students can look for job opportunities on this platform, show their abilities and characteristics, and then get new jobs.Gmail is also a digital platform often used by students. We can communicate efficiently and professionally with professors and schools through e-mail to solve our problems in time.

What could the student consider in expanding their professional learning network?

I think students need to consider the security of the network and the authenticity of the content in expanding their professional learning network. Since learning professional information and seeking career opportunities are serious things, and you may need to expose your privacy when applying for a job. The information provided by the platform must be accurate and not misleading. In addition, you need to pay attention to the security of your information, avoid the exposure of your personal information and professional works, and avoid plagiarism and harassment.

In your network how can you create a digital identity/ reputation?

I will create a digital identity by registering an account on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and filling in some information about myself to introduce myself. Where I introduce myself, I can introduce my basic information, such as age, gender, hobbies, educational background, internship experience, project experience, etc. This will be a good opportunity for me to show my strengths and keep in touch with others. In addition, I also need to pay attention to my speech acts on each platform, which can not be offensive or false, so as to maintain my reputation. This will ensure that I will not be considered a rude person.

Discover what an employer would find based on your V+R Map about you, if you applied for a job with them?

When my employer finds my personal account according to the V & R map, they can have a better understanding of my hobbies and personal experience. According to my LinkedIn account, they can learn about my educational experience and the internship projects I have participated in. In my Instagram, they can see the photos and videos I share, and find that I am a person who likes delicious food. On my Facebook, they can find that I have joined many groups about pets, which can show that I like animals very much.