Explore the video provided and reflect on the themes of a PLN in a professional capacity – how does a PLN give power to messaging for an individual or community?

My PLN gives me power to message individuals or a community. After school hours, if I am struggling with an assignment I can message a classmate to get further clarification on the problem. If neither of us understand, I have the ability to search on Facebook for a community of classmates taking the same class. Then, I am able to seek help instead of waiting for class. I also have the power to message my professor via email for further guidance. I would not be able to do this this without social media.

Education occurs in so many environments beyond the classroom, how does social media help expand education and associated needed communications?

As a future educator, I want to use social media in the best way possible to expand education.  Social media will allow me to create a website that my future students can have full time access to. Within the website, I will provide instructions for homework, a calendar and course information to help students from home. This will expand their education by being able to seek guidance with little help from the website. Moreover, media expands education by gaining knowledge on diverse experience from other people. It allows individual to view the world using a sociological imagination rather than just school institution knowledge. Media allows information to spread world wide that helps people stay relevant with world issues. Furthermore, social media expands my education by being able to communicate with classmates outside of school hours. (elaborated in the question above).

Community communications go beyond blogs and social media shares, how does a PLN help and hinder the development of thoughts and ideas in education discourse?

Brad Baker elaborates on how he uses social media to expand his community across Canada. He wants to include people from all over to gain experienced knowledge and consider other points of view. Community communication allows members to support ideas and challenge ideas in a empathic way. An example of this is the interview between Miller and Baker. They are both part of an education through social media community, that allowed them to connect and discuss each others views.  Miller and Baker can then support ideas as well as challenge them over the interview call. This will expand both of their knowledge, creating the best community communication for their students. Without community communications, Miller and Baker would have not been able to engage in conversation nor expand the community. Moreover, the community of communications defeats any proximity problems, allowing worldwide opinions and ideas.

 How does the use of PLN raise awareness opportunities in education? What is the role of social media in education?

Baker uses his PLN to raise awareness for the truth and reconciliation about indigenous communities for social media to see. Since Baker grew his PLN as a principle, his reputation is trustworthy and people are inspired by him. He uses his trusted PLN to spread knowledge amongst teachers and students. Most media is left or right wing and only share information to their benefit, whereas Baker acts a authentic source. In order to expand one’s knowledge, it important to hear the true story. Baker uses his PLN to voice indigenous peoples and their struggles using first hand experiences. Information looses its meaning after going through different resources. Thus, the importance of gaining a PLN that reflects a good reputation and trustworthy.

Baker uses his role in media and education to campaign anti-racism across North Vancouver teachers and students. He takes full advantage of being the first indigenous teacher in North Vancouver, and advocates for the truth behind indigenous struggles.

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

Besides all the benefits social media communication brings, it also has many issues within school settings. To begin, media allows for open opinions for individuals to share. Since every individual has different views, it can cause arguments and contrast over opinions. This can come across as negative, rude, and mean in the views of other people. Thus, creates individuals to feel uncomfortable to share information. Also, social media communication allows people to remain anonymous that allows people to hid behind their screen. Being anonymous allows a person to become more confident because their true identity will not be ruined.

Moreover, this can create cyberbullying amongst students. Peoples hidden identity allows for positive and negative opinions. There is numerous amounts of problems social media communication may bring like catfishes, hackers, and protecting one’s identity.

References

Miller, J. (2021). EDCI 338-Brad Baker. YouTube.