Calli's Blog

"If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space"

Month: March 2021

Blog Post #10 Engaging Your PLN

March 26, 2021 / / 3 Comments

How you can use the PLN interactions of this course to further your digital identity post-term?

I will use my PLN interactions from EDCI 338 to further my digital identity post-term by continuing to learn by sharing ideas, experiences, and resources with classmates on Mattermost. The blogs that have been posted by my classmates throughout the course has provided me with valuable information and given me insight into a variety of different perspectives on what our digital identity is and the role it has in my professional development. By taking a step back and being critical about my digital identity, I have realized that there is a certain level of responsibility that comes with using social media for personal and professional purposes. The valuable lessons that I have learned on how to “manage and protect my reputation in public and private online spaces” and how important it is to be media literate in today’s online world, will help me communicate and collaborate in a much better way(Olivera, 2014). I also think the PLN interactions from this class will help remind me to stay focused on the two areas of my digital identity that Costa & Torres highlight; presentation and reputation(Olivera, 2014). My presentation will encompass how I work online and how I engage and interact in shared spaces, and my reputation will focus on the perspective that others have of me. By expanding my digital identity, I will build trust with the people I interact with and this will improve my online reputation and credibility. I am hoping that my PLN interactions in this class will continue post term because I have met a lot of cool people and I hope to stay connected through various social media platforms.

What does it mean to have a digital identity in your industry of choice and can your current PLN be used to help professional development post-course? 

As a fifth year Recreation and Health student at UVic, it is important to have a  digital identity that is well respected by my peers. As a varsity athlete, it is important to have a digital identity that is an honest reflection of who I am and how much I value representing my team, teammates, coaches and university, in a respectful way. It is a challenge to keep my personal and professional digital identities separate and my current PLN will continue to support me in achieving a balance between the two. When I graduate next year, one of my goals is to try and play basketball professionally overseas. I hope to continue to expand my PLN and connect with people that may be able to help me achieve this goal. If my dream does not work out, I will continue to expand my PLN with people who have similar interests in working in the recreation and health field. No matter what direction I take, the goal will be to continue to build a network of people with whom you are connected to in order to learn and that is created according to personal interests and needs, providing learning opportunities, providing answers to questions and contributing to mutual learning(Olivera, 2014).

As you progress through the steps of your career, can your PLN be relied on to open professional opportunities?

 I think that as I progress through my career, my PLN can be used to help open  professional opportunities because it not only provides me an opportunity to share resources and ideas with other professionals anywhere in the world, but it also provides me a way to share my knowledge with others and a way to gain new perspectives.  After all, a PLN is a group of colleagues and/or professionals that you can connect with in order to enhance your personal learning and take charge of your own professional development. I believe that learning never stops and the connections that I have made and will make, will provide me with opportunities for professional growth.

References

Oliveira, N. R., & Morgado, L. (2014). “Digital Identity of Researchers and Their Personal Learning Network.” Learning and Collaboration Technologies. Technology-Rich Environments for Learning and Collaboration, 469–475. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-07485-6_46

Blog Post #9 Why Media Literacy matters in your PLN

March 19, 2021 / / 4 Comments

What Is Media Literacy And Why Is It Important?

Media literacy is the ability to identify different types of media, such as newspapers, TV, tweets, videos, web sites, etc. and understand the message or information they are intending to convey. However, media literacy means not only to be able to analyze and evaluate the media that surrounds us but also to be able to create media in a variety of forms. In an article written by Trilling and Fadel about 21st Century Skills, they suggest that media literacy consists of having two skills: the ability to analyze media, including comprehending how and why media messages are constructed and examining how media can affect our behaviors and second is the skill of creating media products, such as how to use appropriate media tools (Trilling & Fadel, 2012). In other words, to be media literate is to have the ability to think for oneself and ask the right  questions.  In the interview with Julie Smith this week, she shared her views on media literacy and she suggested asking questions such as who the sender is, what is their mode of intent, who does this profit, and who the target audience is(Smith, 2020). By asking the right questions, we can confirm the accuracy of the information and then make our own judgements about its accuracy.

 It is apparent that being media literate is becoming more and more important as our lives revolve around technology. The internet has given people the ability to use social media platforms and websites to share information or spread awareness about certain issues. However, this doesn’t always mean that the information is factual. People can deliberately fabricate information to mislead the public and so it is important that we have the skills to be able to distinguish right from wrong. “Because of the speed of access to information, people do not have time to process and to validate the kind of information they receive, so there are a lot of biases that interfere”(Owens, 2020). The information that is on social media produced by individuals that we may like, trust or that we may directly know, should not give them more credibility, BUT we think it does. “In the 21st century, everyone’s level of information literacy and fluency will need to rise. Whether at work, in school, at home, or in the community, there will be increasing demands on our ability to access information efficiently and effectively, evaluate information critically and competently, and use information accurately and creatively”(Trilling & Fadel, 2012). The goal of media literacy education is not to become amateur producers but rather to engage the media in our lives, to evaluate its messages and techniques and then to choose, ultimately, whether to accept or reject the values conveyed. Attention to media literacy is essential more than ever as we are consuming media all the time.

Why can Media Literacy sometimes be dismissed?

In my opinion, media literacy is dismissed because people don’t really know what it is or how important it is. I also think some people steer away from it because it can be time consuming to fact check etc. When it comes to our parents, they grew up without the same internet access that is available to us. Technology has changed the way we do everything and this can cause parents to worry about their safety. For example, when it comes to my parents, sometimes they don’t want to know what they don’t know. I am not sure if this makes sense but if you bury your head in the sand, you don’t have much to worry about.

Why Should We Aim For Varied views but the factual consensus in your PLN?

We should aim for varied views but factual consensus in our PLN’s to ensure that we continue to learn from others thoughts and opinions. Being open minded and learning to accept various viewpoints and different perspectives, can trigger new ideas and make our PLN more diversified. As Julie Smith states, “news is a business and we as people like to be affirmed, so we choose media outlets that suit our perspectives and opinions. When we selectively choose certain outlets to obtain ‘news’ from, we often cheat ourselves from learning all the facts”(Smith, 2020). Sometimes we may not know all of the story so when you can come to a consensus that all the facts and perspectives have been analyzed effectively, then you can be reassured that the whole story has been told.

Why can Media literacy and factual information can create conflict?

 Conflict can arise in media literacy and factual information because some individuals may be so determined about their own point of view they won’t take the responsibility to understand the other side. Smith explains that one reason media literacy can create conflict is a “familiarity backfire” effect (2020). This means that sometimes people will ignore what they don’t want to hear. In the past, we have been limited to certain media sources and we didn’t have as much freedom in choosing who to listen to, but now we have thousands of media sources at the click of a button. As humans, we don’t like to be told we are wrong. We tend to seek out information that justifies our opinions. Because of this, people tend to look at only like minded media sources.

What is the benefits of having a PLN that values media literacy?

Some of the benefits of having a PLN that values media literacy is that it encourages critical thinking, it allows me to see differing points of view, it encourages sharing of media sources in a collaborative and responsible way, it gives me the skills to know how to create my own content, it encourages me to actively participate in public affairs as a citizen, and it fosters the skills to communicate in a respectful way.

References

EDCI 338 (2020, Nov 1). Smith, Julie . Retrieved from YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_T9RghwJlI&feature=youtu.be

Trilling, B., & Fadel, C. (2012). Digital Literacy Skills. In 21st century skills: Learning for life in our times. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Blog Post #8 PLN and Education

March 12, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Photo By Socialprism.org

How does a PLN give power to messaging for an individual or community?

The video with Jessie and Brad Barker provided god examples of how a PLN can give power to messaging for an individual or a community. In Barker’s case, he uses social media to not only share his own story but his family’s as well. He is able to use twitter to engage in healthy and respectful dialogue, one where he can share information from his own experiences and not second hand. This ensures that the correct story will be shared to the community. For example, there is so much information about indigenous people and reconciliation and it is important that true stores are shared so people have a better understanding of their culture. When Barker said, “For change to happen, people must be willing to be vulnerable”(Barker), I couldn’t help but feel this relates to everything in life and being vulnerable is a scary thing.

How does social media help expand education beyond the classroom?

In the past, students have relied on the knowledge the teacher had in a variety of subjects. In today’s learning environment and with the use of social media, the, teachers are no longer the only source of information. The internet and social media have provided  easy access to unlimited information and this has changed the role of the teacher from teacher-led to student-led. Brad Barker would agree that for change to happen, it is important that teachers use social media as an educational ally where it can be used to help instruction, and personalize learning. Advances in technology have also made it relatively easy for students to bring digital technology with them when they leave the classroom, or for instructors to bring the outdoor learning environment into the classroom. For example, teachers can use drone footage, mobile apps, and programs like Google Earth to bring outdoor environments inside the classroom, thus bringing far away or inaccessible outdoor experiences to all students.

What is the role of social media in education?

Many teachers are on social media both for personal and professional use and, for the most part, that’s great. From a professional standpoint it can enhance your network of contacts, engage you in important discussions, extend your own learning and even provide a platform for class projects. As for personal use, well, educators have lives, families, friends and interests just like everyone else so, naturally, many are drawn to social networking as a way to connect to the people they care about. Social media can be an effective tool to facilitate learning through increased collaboration, and communication. Social media can also provide a way for teachers and students to become more interactive. The use of social media in education provides students with the ability to get more useful information, to connect with learning groups and other educational systems that make education convenient. Learning networks are based on the theory of connectivism, which implies that learning relies on communicating ideas with others.  In the article, “Developing Personal Learning Networks for Open and Social Learning”,  educators are referred to as “Connectivists who recognize the influences that emerging technologies have on human cognition, and theorize that technology is reshaping the ways that humans create, store, and distribute knowledge”(Veletsianos, 2010 ).  As a University student, social media allows us to communicate with each other at convenient times. For example, our EDCI groups use platforms via their smartphone, tablet or computer to collaborate, ask questions, and meet on zoom to work on group projects etc. If anyone of us is not sure of something, we can communicate with others to find the answer. This is especially helpful in our current situation as we are not able to meet our teacher physically. Social media also promotes learning by offering support with sharing documents as well such as via Google Drive Box, and Google Docs. Teachers can also use social media tools to give lectures, interview guest speakers hand out assignments and give tests all on Brightspace or Google classroom.

How does the use of PLN raise awareness opportunities in education?

Creating public awareness through education is a great way to bring a certain issue to the attention of a group of people. Social media has given us new channels to raise awareness and spread educational messages not only throughout the school community but throughout the world. For example, principals or administrators can find a new way to integrate social media. Like sharing school news via social networks, holding online meeting with the parents or even starting fundraising for different projects. Schools can use their Twitter, Instagram and Facebook feeds, to keep students, parents and the school community updated on school-related activities, and events that are happening.  Another example is that students can get involved in social marketing campaigns that aim to change behavior.

What are some problems with social media communications in education settings?

Social media services and apps can also be used as educational tools, but there are important issues to consider including privacy, appropriate content, security and your comfort level with the apps and services. There are problems with with social media communications in education settings for both educators and students. Many teachers are on social media both for personal and professional use and, for the most part, that’s great. From a professional standpoint it can enhance your network of contacts, engage you in important discussions, extend your own learning and even provide a platform for class projects. As for personal use, well, teachers have lives, families, friends and interests just like everyone else so, naturally, many are drawn to social networking as a way to connect to the people they care about. But teachers also have responsibilities and concerns that could, perhaps, cause them to think twice about how they use social media. What is appropriate to post? Who should you interact with? Should you “friend,” follow or make your posts accessible to your students? How about parents and colleagues? Are there certain types of posts to avoid? And how can you control who has access to what you post? For students, social media allows people to remain anonymous and say what ever they want to without worrying about being held accountable. This sense of “no one knows it’s me” can lead to cyberbullying and a negative school environment.

References

Miller, J. (2021). “EDCI 338 – BRAD BAKER.” YouTube, uploaded by Miller, 04 Mar. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy63SmEpvCw.

Veletsianos, G. (2010). Emerging Technologies in Distance Education. AU Press. Ch.6. pp. 114-15, and 128–138.

Blog Post #7 Balancing PLN & Public Discourse

March 4, 2021 / / 8 Comments

Amazon.ca

Social media and broadcasting has changed drastically over the last 10-15 years and being in the public eye today means you have a much larger audience.   After watching Jessie’s interview with Jody Vance, there are some obvious benefits and risk associated with engaging with a public audience in a media space. When a person becomes a public figure or a person in a position of trust, I think it is very important that they know who they are and that they are committed to remaining true to themselves. When you are able to do this, Vance says, it is easy “to sell your own brand”. We can not argue the benefits that social media has provided people, it provides an opportunity to connect with each other and interact with each other on a global scale. However, it is important as media consumers, that we remember that media is created by individuals who make conscious and unconscious choices about what to include, what to leave out and how to present what is included. These decisions are based on their own point of view, which has been shaped by their opinions, assumptions and biases, as well as their experiences. Society instinctively views media sources as objective representations of reality and because of this, Vance reminds us that there is even more pressure on people in the media because what they say and do will have a much bigger impact on the public. Every piece of information that a public figure shares can affect their reputation and be crucial to gain credibility. This is another reason why information that is shared needs to be accurate and real.  The art of public relations, and the crucial role it plays in relaying information to the public eye resides on the ability to not just tell a story, but communicate a message that will leave a mark on whomever you are telling it to. When considering what you want your key messages to be, the first task is to make sure they are believable, credible, and justified. For your audience to trust and become influenced by whatever it is you are communicating to them, your message need to be supported by evidence, and delivered with concise and engaging language. From a public figure perspective, social media has provided anyone and everyone the opportunity to evaluate what you say. Vance believes that “even though social media complicates things but it can also be used to expose your strengths”.  You can connect with people who could benefit your career or give you insights on things you agree with or insights that lead you to change your view on the world. These experiences  may help you to gain credibility in the media industry. Vance shared that her reputation is built on what she has done in the media and how she has represented herself. This is a reflection of the benefit of growing our personal learning network. We can meet people a long our journey who could potentially become an integral part of our future. This is also a reason to be cautious in our actions. In my opinion, Vance is suggesting that you never know what turn your life will take so it is important to not burn bridges along the way. 

When employers encourage employees to build community with online tools that they provide, you may be asked to share something or respond to critique in a way that is professional and aligns with company values, but not necessarily personal values. It can be difficult to accept negative critiques or replies and not get defensive and react. When Vance was asked about how she deals with negative comments, she replied sarcastically “keep your DM”s open”. My interpretation of this is that she is able to respond directly to comments made to her on her personal platform more so than ones that are made publicly on her company’s social media. In today’s world, everything you say and do is judged. It is not possible to make everyone happy and it would be impossible to not be subjected to some form of criticism. That is why it is important to build a PLN that you can rely on. This is a benefit of working for a respected media company, knowing the information you are receiving is accurate and real. This makes you as a media source, much more reliable. Social media platforms directly associated with an employer is that the public can ensure that the accounts are verified, and the information put forward on those platforms come from a trusted source. 

When you have been in the media industry for a long time, you are considered to be a veteran. Veteran storytellers are often veteran for one of a few reasons: either they tell firsthand accounts of events, they have built a reputation for being truthful based on previous checks, or they are experts in the field. Sharing or posting information in relation to your own experience or the areas that you are familiar with will help you to minimize risk in sharing misinformation. Regardless, becoming a veteran doesn’t happen overnight. Vance talks about her experiences in what Martin Hirst calls a “gig economy”. Working in the media industry is not easy and it does not come with a lot of job security. The job has become even tougher for free lance journalists who are trying to break in to the industry today(Hirst, 2018). In my opinion, Vance was one of the lucky ones. Her persistence, hard work, timing, a trusted network and some good luck enabled her to become the successful person she is today. 

References

Hirst, M. (2018). Social Journalism and the Gig Economy. Navigating Social Journalism: A Handbook for Media Literacy and Citizen Journalism. Ch. 6.(pp. 142-143). New York, NY: Routledge.

Vance, J. (February 28, 2021). EDCI 338 – JODY VANCE. YouTube. https://youtu.be/dgZOJgJkdyI

Attributions

Image Attributions

© 2024 Calli's Blog

Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑