Month: October 2020

How does social media help engage in community-based communications?

Social media has given the general public a bigger voice than ever before when it comes to serious issues in society. Although there are many downfalls of social media in terms of public negativity and misinformation, it is a place where meaningful conversations happen very regularly. I believe that, with the proper adjustments, the social media world will exponentialize communities’ ability to discuss ideas with the people in power to make real change happen locally, and across the globe. This helps immensely with the “citizen to leader” conversations that didn’t happen at scale before social media was present. Pooley et al states, “Publics are the element that keeps democracies democratic.” I believe social media has amplified the pubic communication that keeps our democracy democratic.

How does social media challenge community-based communications?

Before social media took off, it seemed that the voices of community members where not always heard, and the conversations driven by the community carried less weight than they do today. With the ability for everyone to communicate across the entire planet, certain issues going on globally can be discussed by everyone in real time. In 1990 for instance, you would have to wait for the news to see a certain issue, then you would maybe talk about these issues amongst your small group or family, and then maybe you see someone at grocery store and chat about it some more. This is a very slow flow of information to the public and also between community members. Furthermore, the ability for the general public to express their thoughts on the certain issue to people in power was almost non-existent. With social media, the general public receives information instantaneously and can immediately start the conversation around this topic on a multitude of different platforms.

Are there cultural sensitivities that should be considered?

Engaging online is something that gives individuals great power, but it also comes with great personal responsibility. Essentially, while you are online, you must realize that what you portray online is an extension of your biological self offline. You must act online how you want to be seen in real life.

What should your PLN say about you as you communicate to the public via social media or communication tools?

Your PLN should portray the identity of what you want to be seen as in the public eye. If you have your name attached to your social media profiles, everything you do online is given the exact same weight as what you say offline, so make sure you are being your true self.

What does it mean to balance your professional expectations and your personal beliefs in curating a PLN for the purpose of career development?

There is a very fine balancing act that you need to be aware of at all times while engaging in the online world. While you may be commenting on something that is out of the sphere of your workplace or profession, the actions you take online can still cause serious issues that you may not have foreshadowed.

Balancing personal beliefs and your professional expectations while conversing online is difficult. I believe when you are being fully true to who you are, while being open to new information to shape your ideologies, is the best way to handle yourself online. This way, you will be participating in conversations on topics that you enjoy, which will increase the power of the conversation. This way you will attract employers who will see the passion in your conversations without having to think about “the right thing to say”.

What do you think you need to reflect on (in regard to your PLN or development of a PLN) to adapt evolving social media communication expectations as a community learns more about who you are?

I believe that I have a better idea on how I want to curate my PLN thanks to this course. I believe that I need to engage and surround myself with more topics that genuinely excite me so that I can be a more powerful member to the conversation in the community.

Reference

Pooley, J., Taub-Pervizpour, L., & Jansen, S. (2013). Media and social justice. New York: Palgrave.

The world of media is always changing and over the last decade, podcasts have become a mainstream source of valuable information. There is a wide range of podcasts being created every day that talk about every realm of the world we live in. One of my favorite podcasts over the last few years has been the Joe Rogan Experience. Joe Rogan is an extremely popular Comedian, UFC Commentator and Podcaster who brings in a wide variety of guests to speak on his show for multiple hour sessions. The range of guests Joe speaks to include political leaders, scientists, athletes, comedians, lawyers and many more. The reason I enjoy his show so much is that Joe is a very curious and honest interviewer who wants to have meaningful conversations about issues that are not normally talked about in serious depth on other mainstream platforms. I find that being able to listen to these in-depth interviews allows me to expand my mind in ways that I never knew were possible. It allows me to hear detailed opinions from professionals in areas I may have thought differently on and shape a new way of thinking for myself.  Another reason I enjoy the podcast is because of Joe’s interest and honesty in every topic which creates this genuine, informative and fun conversation.

When starting a podcast, I would say that it is essential for you to make vast amounts of connections in other online spaces such as Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc. To drive traffic to your podcast, you must generate interest in yourself by using other online avenues. By having a larger reach online in general, more and more people will be exposed to your content and you will be creating the trust and interest that will slowly build your credibility and following over time. When engaging on these other platforms, be sure to follow people who are in your interest group and engage in commentary in these groups, as this will exponentially expose you to people who are interested in your specific field.

As far as privacy is concerned, you must be careful of what you are posting and saying online as it is normally permanent. A big issue for podcasters who become influential in a space is that they get major backlash on certain opinions that others may not like. With that being said, you must be aware of the reach you are getting and realize the associated responsibility of this reach.

Reference

Woods, Bianca. “Building your own PLN: seeking new insights and ideas? Expand your personal learning network.” T+D, vol. 67, no. 11, Nov. 2013, p. 70+. Gale OneFile: Business, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A348998538/ITBC?u=uvictoria&sid=ITBC&xid=9daf4a31. Accessed 10 Oct. 2020.

How diverse is your existing PLN?

I would say my PLN is quite diverse but I’m always looking to add more people to my PLN. Growing up playing hockey provided me with many different contacts from all backgrounds. Having previous coaches, managers, parents, players, announcers and fans as contacts on different social media sites provides me with a diverse set of individuals to help with everything going on in life. I have also met a lot of students in my Economics program which allows me to reach out for help in school much easier than someone who hasn’t made these connections. There are also many people who I follow that I don’t know personally who teach lessons about life in general which helps with the overall learning process.

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

Personally, I do a lot of listening when it comes to my PLN but I am starting to vocalize my opinions more. As I have been listening over the years, I have been taking in vast amounts of information which has let me fine tune my ideologies and now I am able to express opinions much easier.

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

There are quite a wide range of topics that I am interested in, but I don’t let my focus get to thinned out. The main topics of conversation that I am involved in include, economics, business, MMA and hockey but I always allow myself to venture out into other areas for exploration.

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

Having a diverse PLN will allow you to hear many different opinions and see issues from sides that you may not have thought about prior.

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

The learning outcome of my PLN is very beneficial because the learning is less structured and more fun than sitting in a classroom for an allotted period of time. I am ensuring my exposure to inclusion and diversity by being listening deeply and really considering all of the information presented before making rash ideological claims and or decisions.

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

I have never really thought deeply on the concept of open learning and how social media can help in general learning, but now I am fully conscious on the benefits. I feel I will definitely start to clean up my social media platforms and add contacts that are going to help me learn more as a human being. I will also try to contribute as much content as I can to my PLN because adding value to your followers will contribute to the overall power of the PLN.

References

https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/lib/uvic/reader.action?docID=4832579&ppg=6

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

Students are currently using a multitude of different platforms to develop their professional network such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Although LinkedIn is the most notable platform for professional networking, Twitter and Facebook offer opportunities to build more casual relationships which can really benefit you professionally as well. Any positive connections you make in this world, from casual to professional, will increase the size of your social network as a whole which will positively affect your professional network.

What can you (as a student) consider expanding your professional learning network?

For students, any connection you make at school is expanding your professional network. Everyone who is actively at University is a good person to have in your network. These are the types of people who are hardworking and are striving for many different types of success in life and having connections from these types of groups is very beneficial. This can be students, professors, guest speakers, TA’s and the list goes on.

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

Your digital identity is shaped by the way you interact with your followers and anyone else who can view your posts, comments and actions online. To create a positive digital identity, you must add value to the online community around you. This includes posting meaningful content that your followers can utilize, providing constructive and positive comments on other user’s posts, and not engaging in negative or hateful commentary. By doing the opposite of these things, you would find yourself building a negative digital identity which, in my opinion, is very unhealthy and will carry over into your non-digital identity.

Consider what a local employer would do if you applied for a job with them – can they search the content, is it of benefit to the career path, does it hinder the opportunity of employment?

One thing about social media that has changed the game in the job searching sector, is that employers can see what types of activities and commentary that prospective employees are engaging in. If an individual has a bad reputation online, chances are that person might not be the fit for a searching employer who is trying to build a positive culture at his/her business. On the flip side, if an employer sees that the individual is interacting actively and positively on LinkedIn, they will see an asset for their business.