Category: EDCI 338 Blog Post

In this module, I studied Personal Learning Networks (PLNs), digital privacy and ethics, and inclusivity through the lens of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Social media is emerging as a powerful learning and networking platform but comes with challenges, such as misinformation, privacy issues, and underrepresentation. In this post, I will describe the strategies I use to build my PLN on social media, the steps I take to continue being safe online, and the issues of protection and diversity in the context of digital learning.

How I Use Social Media to Build My PLN

The r/learnprogramming community has especially been useful because people post coding resources, query and provide solutions, and share resources for both beginners and experienced programmers. Because of that, I don’t have to learn everything the hard way because I can receive real-time input and different outlooks from other learners and professionals. I also have an advantage from the connection I have with software engineers and AI specialists on LinkedIn because I get a sense of what the market is looking for and what is currently going on. Additionally, for coding tutorials, I prefer YouTube because it makes more sense when a person walks you through it. The most important advantage of social media in education is that I can gain knowledge at my own pace as well as be able to filter through the information that applies to me. With these benefits, however, comes a lot of responsibility, mainly making sure that I do not post or accept false information.

Staying Safe and Acting Ethically Online

Having privacy on an online platform means needing to protect myself actively. For instance, I construct difficult passwords, enable two-step verification, and modify privacy settings to limit access to certain individuals. Additionally, I try my utmost not to expose any sensitive personal details, particularly on public discussion boards.

• Here is a video about how to stay safe online:

 At the same time, I try to use the internet respectfully. This involves giving credit to the appropriate people when such content is used, trying to avoid fights, and taking time to reflect before speaking out. Because of how fast misinformation goes around, I have to verify the facts before presenting them to other people. By doing these things, I can participate in preserving a safe online educational space.

Making My PLN More Inclusive

All voicing and phrasing are important for me to learn new things, so having a PLN, which is inclusive, is primary. Therefore, I make it my work to closely watch creators of other languages and other industries as it widens my horizon in learning and solving questions, problems, and tasks.

The three key principles of UDL: Multiple Means of Engagement, Representation, and Action/Expression are making everyone included in learning on a deeper level. In digital learning environments, these principles help on a basic level. In such environments, it can mean: 

• Handling learning through videos, text, and interactive discussions.

Using captions or simple explanations to make content easier to understand.

Encouraging participation in different ways, such as comments, coding projects, or visual content, so more people can contribute. I can apply these ideas by making sure the content I share is easy to understand and by welcoming different opinions in discussions.

Why Diversity in Digital Learning Matters

The variation of digital learning is essential in making sure everyone can learn and take part. Nonetheless, there are problems such as those who do not speak the language, accessibility issues and the broad generalization of other cultures. Some platforms do not account for people with disabilities, and not everyone gets equal coverage.

To make certain digital spaces more inclusive, I do the following:

• Assist people from different professional backgrounds, including teachers and educators.

• Share materials that can have a wider audience reach.

• Foster discussions that are civil and respectful regardless of the differences in opinions.

These simple actions allow me to help promote inclusivity and accessibility and foster a better welcoming environment for learning.

Final Thoughts

Establishing a strong Personal Learning Network (PLN) is about more than simply searching for materials; it is about interacting with others, being socially responsible, and making spaces free to learn. It has become easier to learn through social media and reach out to people in authority, but we need to learn how to remain safe, be responsible, and promote inclusive digital learning.

In the future, I would like to focus on expanding my PLN, ensuring it represents different viewpoints and learning preferences. It is much easier to promote a better and more inclusive learning environment by applying ethical conduct online and UDL principles.

Digital Identity: Personal vs. Professional

For the past two weeks, I have been learning how our digital identities can be divided into personal and professional ones. Personally, I share photos, jokes, and casual updates with close friends. Professionally, I focus on achievements, projects, and articles that support my career. To keep these identities separate, I use privacy settings on social media and always pause before posting. This way, I can protect my personal life while still showing a polished profile to potential colleagues or employers.

My Digital Visitor and Resident Map

I also explored the concept of the Digital Visitor and Resident map. As a “visitor,” I only use certain websites to quickly complete tasks—like looking for instructions or browsing a forum without commenting. As a “resident,” I am more engaged on platforms such as LinkedIn or Instagram, where I post updates, interact with others, and actively build an online presence. Mapping these behaviours helped me see where I invest my time online. Over time, I expect my map to change as my goals and interests evolve, and these changes will likely affect how I communicate on different platforms.

Personalized Learning Theories in My Experience

Next, I studied theories of personalized learning such as Constructivist and Self-Directed Learning. These approaches tailor education to individual needs and interests. I have taken online courses that let me move at my own pace. This flexibility keeps me motivated and aligns with what I truly enjoy learning. By setting my own goals and choosing the right tools, I stay more engaged and can build a stronger foundation for future challenges.

Privacy, Surveillance, and My Digital Footprint

Lastly, I looked at privacy, surveillance, and digital footprints. Every action—every post, comment, or search—leaves a mark online. To safeguard my privacy, I use strong passwords, check security settings, and think twice before sharing personal details. Understanding how surveillance works is critical, as companies and governments can track online activity. Good online habits ensure that my digital presence remains positive, safe, and respectful.

Overall, these topics remind me that I have an important role in shaping my online identity and experiences. By mindfully separating personal and professional identities, recognizing where I am a visitor or resident, embracing personalized learning, and protecting my privacy, I can make the most of what the digital world offers.

Social media platforms such as Twitter and YouTube are lifesavers when I’m trying to learn new programming skills or looking for recent technological developments. Furthermore, I am all for the collaboration aspect of social media which enables me to generate ideas and get insights from people globally. It is also effective in education by making it more interesting through live discussions, tutorials and interactive discussions. But of course, everything comes with its challenges, including distractions or false information. This is why moderation is essential in maintaining the healthy use of social media.

Social Media and Its Role in Education

Personalized Learning and Digital Literacies

Due to personalized learning, I keep learning about topics I enjoy, such as artificial intelligence and gaming. It gives me the strength to learn at my speed and pick up tools suitable for one’s skills. Digital literacy, in another respect, is what navigates into this vast world of information online; teaches how to judge sources; and houses a way of using technology ethically, therefore enabling one to accomplish tasks faster and better informed. For instance, the knowledge of harnessing online coding sites like GitHub has made a difference in my education.

Digital Identity and Online Presence

Digital identity management has been an integral part of my professional and intellectual life. I keep my online profile bright by posting projects I have worked on while connecting with other people in the tech community. This serves to enlarge my professional network and demonstrates my talents to future potential employers. I used to mind very much what I was posting and how and whom I addressed because it would mean I was presenting myself according to my career goal. To me, digital identity is important to develop real trust and credibility across the tech industry.

Navigating and Using Online Platforms Ethically

It has taken a long time to learn to surf the currents of the online platforms, but it has been quite rewarding in the progress. One way I’ve learned to appreciate the clarity of communication and collaboration is by working on a team project for which I used Slack and Discord. Being ethical online includes the respect of other people’s opinions and comments as well as the responsibility for sharing one’s reports and avoidance of harmful behaviours. So careful thought should be exercised before posting or commenting to contribute to a decent and respectful online community. Not only do the ethical practices create such a positive environment, but they also serve as fine examples for others.

Thus, social media, personalized learning, digital literacy and ethical practices feature prominently in my educational exposure. They have not only gone a long way in improving my learning but also prepared me for the challenges ahead in the digital age. Looking forward to new avenues in computer science!