Month: November 2021

As stated in the fifth chapter of the book Social Media and Emerging Economies Technological, Cultural and Economic Implications the number of users on the internet has significantly increased over the last few years as more and more people gain access to the internet. Alongside the growth of the internet is the communication between people, and new media technology. This opens various opportunities varying from social to professional relationships that can be made using the internet. 

With that in mind, as you use these new media and communication technologies to build networks it is only a matter of time until you meet someone who could provide some type of help in your professional carrier. For example, let’s say you are an expert in drawing, and from time to time you share your drawings on Twitter. Someone from the other side of the world views your drawing from their computer and thinks you are very talented. He also knows a friend who is creating a shirt brand and wants a logo for his new company. He gets in contact with you and presents you to his friend who decides to hire you. With access to the internet, humanity has never had so much access to information before, building networks has never been easier. 

Depending on your approach to your PLN it can 100% de relied on to open professional opportunities. It depends on how professional you communicate with others online and how you present yourself on the internet.

What is media literacy? Media literacy is the ability to use the media to express yourself. Just like this blog for example, with every blog post and reply that I make, I am using media literacy. This requires me to use the right digital tools and learn how to properly communicate online. Media literacy is important because of the growing accessible information on the internet. With the more information we have available to us, the ones who learn how to use it more efficiently will learn faster than others. And being media illiterate is like seeing a good opportunity pass right by you, but not being able to catch it. By aiming for varied views in your personal learning network you reduce bias, improve data quality and create a more inclusive learning network, where others feel free to share their opinion.

As stated in chapter 6 of Developing Personal Learning Networks for Open and Social Learning, currently the problem is no longer having trouble finding and free knowledge networks but rather learning how to choose a reliable one. Using your Personal Learning Network as an educational learning tool can be extremely beneficial, but you have to learn how to use the right tools. Firstly, we have to understand that we shouldn’t base our learning on a topic pt but rather on our ability to expand our knowledge learning about this topic from others. Students also need to learn how to use tools from their personal learning environments. 

Personally, one social media platform I believe can be good from an educational point of view is Youtube. It is free of access to the public and contains a comment section that can be used to share knowledge. Besides that, videos receive feedback, from the like button. Although the platform could make some readjustments to improve the platform, just as creating a specific explore page for education just like google scholar.

Personal Learning Networks leverage from the public. As stated in the fourth chapter of media and social justice, the public is increasingly getting more involved in the public media, and tendencies are for it to increase as people gain access to computers and smartphones. Having an inclusive and diverse PLN is one of its greatest strengths and what differentiates it from traditional media. By having the public opinion heard you will get feedback and a second opinion on a common issue. Secondly, the public can offer direct help to an issue, since they understand where you are coming from. It is much easier to sympathize with an individual rather than a corporation. They understand and are more accepting of your issue. Another great benefit of having a diverse and inclusive PLN is that people do not feel judged. Exerting your opinion can be very intimidating, especially when mentioning it to a different public, this barrier can be broken if you demonstrate your PLN is a safe space. This ends up causing a domino effect, as the more people share their opinion, others will gain courage and contribute in their own way. After all, it is the public’s engagement is that sustains a good PLN.