1. What does it mean to network using social media?The technological innovations for the past years allowed people to connect to each other through creating online networks. These networks that people have created over time have profound effect on the way people learn (University of Southampton). To network means gathering, collecting, communicating, creating, and sharing information and experience to group of connected people (Gutierrez). Networking can be effectively done through social media as it allows users to follow and connect to each other. One particular kind of network that people can create in social media is the Personal Learning Network also known as PLN. PLN, according to Jane Hart is “A network of trusted connections with whom an individual interacts (and learns from) on a regular basis” (cited in Gutierrez). PLN are created by learners and they create it according to their interests and needs (Rajogopal, et al.). This means that compared to online courses, learners have more freedom in PLN. More so, learners can create their PLN in social media through following the social media accounts of the experts of the field that they are interested in. If learners are using Facebook in particular, they can also like pages or join groups related to their topic of interest.
2. How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?
Learners are motivated to participate in networked publics because they feel that they are in-charge of their own learning. In the article entitled What are Personal Learning Networks?, Karla Gutierrez stated that PLN is further defined by intention. This implies that in PLN, learners only have their intention as a guide in building their network and they do not need course outlines nor teachers to tell them what to do and what they should learn. The absence of course syllabus, timeline, and mentors enable learners to learn from their fellow learners and through experience as well. In addition, learners are motivated to participate in networked publics because of it makes them feel that they are part of a community (Rajogopal, et al.). Engaging or participating in networked publics make learners feel fulfilled through sharing their ideas to others. More so, participating in networked public will enable them to get help or assistance and they could also establish friendship with others. Ultimately, participating in networked public help learners learn remotely. This means that learners do not have to be physically at school in order to learn new things and master skills. PLN made learners realize that for as long as they have a quite space at home and they have reliable internet connection, getting proper education would be possible.
3. What are the risks & rewards of public communications?
The rewards of public communications includes the following: it is cheaper, it is accessible, it hones learners’ critical thinking, and it paves way to life-long learning. Public communications online is way cheaper than public communications through television, radio, newspapers, and etc. In addition to this, public communication online is much accessible as learners can use different social media for free. Furthermore, public communications can hone learners’ critical thinking because public communications expose learners to different beliefs and perspectives. Moreover, public communications can also be a good training ground for learners to justify their beliefs and encourage others to their side. Lastly, public communications enable life-long learning because PLN has no expiration date. In other words, learners can still learn from PLN that they created even if they are no longer students. Even if public communications have a lot of rewards, these also have risks. Accordingly, PLN users should also be aware of these risks so that they would know how to responsibly engage in public communications. One of the dangers of engaging in public communication is that users have no true control of their data is nearly impossible (Boyd 349). For this reason, the author proposed that instead of controlling data, users need to focus on data usage and interpretation. In other words, PLN members need to be vigilant on how they daya are being used and interpreted.
Works Cited
Boyd, Danah. “Networked Privacy.” Surveillance & Society, vol. 10, no. 3/4, 2012, pp. 348-350.
Gutierrez, Karla. “What Are Personal Learning Networks?” SHIFT E-Learning Software | Authoring Tool, 21 June 2016, www.shiftelearning.com/blog/personal-learning-networks.
Rajagopal, Kamakshi, et al. “Understanding personal learning networks: Their structure, content and the networking skills needed to optimally use them.” First Monday, vol. 17, no. 1, 2012.
University of Southampton. “What is a Personal Learning Network (PLN)?” FutureLearn, 8 Aug. 2013, www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/learning-network-age/0/steps/24644.