Month: February 2021

After reading chapter 4, analyzing the interview between Miller and Simpson, and discussing with my group, I am newly aware of the impact that social media has in advocacy communications. I am realizing that information can be gained in, and spread quickly through, social spaces, that Hashtagging provides a common language and an avenue for sharing and connecting, and that when the sharing of passion extends through social spaces aiming to influence specific audiences, reaction and change can happen. In other words, social media is an effective avenue to share passions, start conversations around those passions, spread the word on those passions and to evoke passion in others, thus making people take action and create change in relation to those passions. It is a way to help engage in community and have your voice heard.

In one of our discussions, @callim mentioned that, “What defines advocacy communications is that they focus tightly on influencing specific audiences and using specific messages in order to deliver changes in policy or practice.  In general, successful advocacy communications require clear objectives, knowledge of the intended audience, language appropriate for that audience and content that is short, specific and to the point.” (@callim, 2021). @Callim’s comment reminded me of Miller and Simpson’s interview. Simpson was clear about his passion for adding black history into curriculum and this was his clear objective. He gained the knowledge through reaching out to like-minded people on social media and by attending conferences (knowledge of intended audience), then he began posting and Hashtagging in a common language in order to communicate his passion/intentions, as well as enlighten his passion/intention within others. Those hashtags then took off and had others re-tweet/using those same hashtags, thus spreading his word even further within the community, as well as into the positions of power that can instil change. In Simpson’s experience, his use of social media brought attention to his objective. Because of social media Simpson’s voice has reached people in places it may never have reached.

An example of social media reaching people it may not have reached or bringing attention to certain issues which may not have been noticed is one which resonates with me. One day when I was checking facebook, I had a notification in our neighbourhood group. When I checked this notification, I was met with a petition to stop the development of a piece of land directly behind me which is filled with old growth. This piece of land is a park that I take my family to on a regular basis. It is a place where people have made wooden signs which have both First Nations words and English words labelling the plant life there. It is a place where someone has taken the time to create little natural fairy/ troll homes for my littles to examine, wonder about and extend their imaginations. This place resonates deep with me and I had NO PRIOR IDEA that there was any intention of developing it until I saw this petition which was posted by a member of the community. I may have missed it in the news or even on signage, however it reached me through social media and I am grateful it did.

Not only am I glad that social media has opened up avenues to reach me, I am glad that it enables us to participate in the sharing and curating of information in an affordable way, which other models do not. Clarke and Aufderheide’s speak to how social media gives more choice as to what is being shared, more “chance for conversation and curation, collaboration with media makers and more creation by users” (Clarke & Aufderheide, 2009). Social media has given individual users the ability to move from “being an anonymous part of a mass to being the centre of the media picture,” as well as “has created a space where people come in as participants and leave recognizing themselves as members of public.”(Clark & Aufderheide, 2013). Many communities have formed because of social media, thus creating extensive connections to community and a sense of belonging. When you have a sense of community and purpose, you begin to take the steps to make change in and for that community or to engage within it. Take the Black Lives Matter movement for example. This community grew together and through effective communication on social media, is continually creating change by educating and influencing others. Another example is Simpson. Simpson found his community and they grew together. They began extending their networking through social media, thus reaching influencers such as the Minister of Education, Rob Flemming and The president of the BCTF Terry Mooring who now participate in implementing Simpson’s ideas. They all found a community and aimed at making change within it. Their voices are being heard and they are recognized as active members in the community.

These examples have given me an understanding of how I could better use social media to build my PLN in order to promote and advocate for social change. Simpson notes that the growth of his PLN came from being very authentic and from there it expanded quite naturally (Simpson, 2021). This inspires me to use my PLN as a space for change because it gives light to the fact that my PLN can represent who I am and what I care about as a person, not just a professional. It demonstrates that my thoughts and values are important and I can make change with the help of others. Simpson’s hashtag helps me remember that we are, “Stronger together, together we rise.” Therefore, it is important for me to step into my community and help create change within it either through my own PLN or participating in others’. This way,  I am doing what is best for me and for my community. I am engaging with my community and being an active participant.

I feel that my PLN does amplify the views of others as I tend to share petitions and initiatives of others. For example, a friend of mine is a guide for an athlete who is visually impaired. He was raising awareness, as well as funds,  to support athletes who are visually impaired, through a race he was promoting on the island. I shared this with others through social media and participated in it myself, therefore amplifying someone else’s views. I also do this with many other initiatives and causes, not only to aid in the cause itself, but because I appreciated others’ bringing attention to my cause when I fundraised to support learners in Africa. Looking back, when fundraising for Africa,  hashtagging and tweeting did not exist. However, if it did, I do think that creating them could have helped curate more influencers to spread the word and potentially create a larger impact. This being said, influencers can also take a negative light when endorsing a product because they are being used as marketers for a certain product which they have been paid to promote. In that case, the endorsement is not necessarily what the endorser holds value in. Rather, it is a pay check.

I think what I truly took away from this post is that my opinions, knowledge and values matter and that I can instil change with the help of others and social media tools. I can use my PLN and social media to authentically start a meaningful dialogue with others who I can learn from and learn with and who can extend our dialogue further. When our community assembles and we create a common language, our views can be shared and possibly get engagement from leaders who can amplify our message or enact change in our communities. This engagement shows that our voices are being heard and that our voices have impact. Together, we are stronger.  

Citation

Simpson, Markiel. “EDCI 338 – 2021 – 02 – 22 MARKIEL SIMPSON.”  21 Feb. 2021. doi: https://youtu.be/yCSpm1Lx8-A

Clark, J., & Aufderheide, P. (2013). A New Vision for Public Media – Open, Dynamic, and Participatory. In J. Pooley, L. Taub-Pervizpour, & S. C. Jansen (Authors), Media and social justice (pp. 55-67). New York: Palgrave.

How would you create a PLN prior to engaging a social media campaign on a topic of your choice.

If I were to create a PLN prior to engaging a social media campaign regarding inquiry, I would make sure to ask questions specific to the topic and to be open to a wide range of answers from a wide range of professionals. I could do this by questioning/conversing with friends and family, posting questions on my social media such as facebook and Instagram and by creating a tweet, much like Tomloud @loudlearning did through @edchat.

I could join in on tweet chats and have a voice in the discussion as well. This way, I can ask questions, listen to feedback, give insight, reconfirm/reconfigure thinking all while also building the diversity within my PLN.  “There is plenty to learn from people outside our field” (Woods, 2013). Therefore, I would ensure that my questions were pointed at professionals/people who have both similar interests/occupations, as well as a variety. Finally, “A PLN should never be a one way street. It should be a way for [me] to help others as well. The more [I] contribute to [my] PLN, the more others will want to help [me]” (Woods, 2013). Therefore, I would make sure that I was putting as much into the conversation as I was taking from it, as well as make sure to participate as much with others’ topics as they do with mine.

Citation

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, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A348998538/ITBC?u=uvictoria&sid=ITBC&xid=1010abdf. Accessed 16 Feb. 2021.

Tom Loud, TL [@loudlearning] (February 14, 2021). Language of Great School Leaders:1. How can I help? 2. What do you think? 3. Your work is changing lives! 4. I trust you 5. I appreciate your commitment 6. Thank you for working hard 7. I was wrong 8. I’m sorry 9. Do you have the tools you need? 10. I’ve got your back [Tweet], Twitter, https://twitter.com/loudlearning/status/1361173032765652992 (Screen shot by Jayne Won).

When I look at my current PLN I find it to be quite diverse in the way of who I choose to follow as well as who tends to follow me (“Following” being the purpose to learn from/with and feel connected to someone or something). As an educator, I ensure that I am learning from a broad range of experts of all genders, ages, ethnicities and abilities, as well as look to these educators to help educate myself in realms I am not as comfortable in, such as racial equity, due to my privilege and my possible misconceptions. I follow many inquiry based teachers from all over the globe, as well as several specialists within the education realm, such as librarians, OTs, Medical professionals and parents. I also engage with diverse peoples from all economic statuses and cultures. For instance, I engage with friends I made while teaching in Africa who come from different circumstances than those I live in here, as well as people from all over the globe from when I travelled the world. I have a lens into their culture and recognize that everyone I am connected to has taught me something about the world or about life. I believe speaking to and listening to my diverse array of humans has created diversity in my own PLN. Each person I am networked with has given me some kind of insight which has diversified my PLN, as well as what I choose to post.

When I examine who I follow and why, I recognize that I mostly sit safely in the background learning from the many voices that exist in my PLN. I am not yet sharing many of my experiences, nor am I contributing much other than offering positive reaffirming comments such as, “thank you for your knowledge” or “what a great perspective, I had never thought about it like that.” Here and there I may offer a word of wisdom when I feel my knowledge can contribute to the community, or when I have a a question to ask, but mostly I take in information. However, if I take our Mattermost conversations as an example of learning from a variety of voices versus being “the loudest in the room,” I would say that I have truly listened to, engaged with and learned from many of the contributors in this space. Our group brings up diverse perspectives and excellent points which continuously have me changing my blog posts to include the ideas from these insightful conversations. In this space I share openly because I have a purpose within the space. Much like Moore noted in her video, in this context, I have diverse knowledge to share, therefore purpose (Moore, 2021). Here, in the Mattermost platform, diversity in opinion and in insight guides our learning and is the reason why our groups exist. Here, I feel valuable in my community contributions, as well as value other members contributions. My group members here “are not fans/followers, they are a community to share ideas and to learn from” (Moore, 2021). In this space, I am a balance of the two; both a listener and absorber, as well as a contributor and a loud voice. Not only does this platform allow for diversity in thought through conversation, it gives my thinking balance. It allows me to digest many ways of thinking before posting, thus better ensuring that what I am posting is more educated, balanced, respectful and inclusive.

When I look at my two very different ways of participating I am beginning to question why in certain platforms I feel my voice has more value than in others, or why I choose to participate more eagerly in one area than the other. Perhaps, in my personal, I am participating in a silo of information sharing so that I am not “muddying the waters by putting real life in” (Colunga, 2020).I am staying safe in my interactions and not creating potential challenges. Whereas, on Mattermost I am encouraged to challenge others’ thinking and them challenge mine. These challenges feel good because I know they are for the sake of our development/ learning and that this growth stems from differing outlooks. As I reflect on this, I am re-evaluating, yet again, the purpose behind my personal platforms. Why am I posting? Is it just to be reaffirmed? Do I truly want others to challenge me? Am I contributing to bias and inequality when I do not share my voice? These are questions I am beginning to answer and adjusting my PLN through this journey. I will continue to dive deeper into answering and reconfiguring them. What I do know is that I do not want to participate in a silo of information because it does not allow for us to be exposed to new ideas or build on the fact that every person has a voice. It is skewed, very one sided and supports pre-existing biases. Spaces as such do not challenge thoughts and ideas in order to build a community built on authenticity and value in voice. I want to be exposed to new ideas and I want to share mine so that these pre-existing biases cease to exist.     

In my communications with my Mattermost group, a member explains how,“it is important to understand that everyone is an individual and the way they would want to be treated varies” (ashk, 2021). “It is important to treat everyone how they want to be treated”(Struch, 2021) and “if we are open to seeing each others perspectives in this forum and mutual respect is demonstrated, PLN’s can be a positive tool to foster community” (Callim, 2021). This solidified my understanding that we all have underlying unconscious biases and that these biases can decrease when engaging through meaningful, challenging, open and honest conversations with others. Therefore, using a diverse PLN can broaden my views of inclusion by engaging in differing/challenging conversations which will deconstruct my potential unconscious bias, thus enhancing my viewpoint and creating more unbiased conversations/online communications. A diverse PLN can open space for conversations which foster a new community that aims at destructing bias.

As an educator, I continually evaluate inclusion in my own classroom space. I truly believe that inclusion is being actively embraced in these spaces, although I know there continue to be flaws. Much like Moore points out, “sitting in the same room and breathing the same air is not enough” (Moore, 2017). Many educators are including all in their classrooms, yet continue to struggle with the success/ participation of all. A main question I ask as an educator is,

“How can I create spaces/lessons in which all learners are engaging in learning that is authentic to their self, while contributing to their community (including the community of learners and the community in which they live), all while meeting each learners’ specific needs?”

This is a big question which needs thoughtful evaluations of how learning is designed, as well as how individuals can drive their own learning process. I know I can struggle in creating spaces that maximize learning for all. However, when Moore relates bowling to the education system, it turns my struggle into a power. It makes me re-evaluate how I design learning in my classroom and gives me the power to change my targets in order to allow “success” for all. In Moore’s words, “In order to knock down all the the pins, you aim for the ones which are the hardest to get” (Moore, 2016). In an educational sense, in order to provide successful learning for all, if I aim to support the learners in my class with the highest needs first, I will ultimately best support all learners. There is then, no “other.” Take the image attached as another example. Here, someone has thought about the child who was not the tallest first, before building the fence. Without even having supports, the builder has created a place where everyone can enjoy watching the game by eliminating ALL barriers. Classrooms and classroom teachers are beginning to aim for this and I hope more educators use Moore as a resource in UDL (universal design for learning) in order to improve their ways of teaching. I know I will be sure to share her perspectives on my PLN to educate others.

An outcome for my PLN would be to educate others on what I find interesting or what I have learned, as well as to learn and be educated by others. It is to share ideas and to listen to others in order to grow perspectives and understandings alongside each other. I can ensure exposure to diversity and inclusion simply by living in this mind-frame. The mind-frame that learning is created and  built together. There is no one right way of thinking, but many unique ways that contribute to the conversation and the overall understanding for all. I can also remember that inclusion is not stagnant. Being inclusive is action oriented and is a journey which we are all on (Moore 2017). If I continue to listen to, learn from, and collaborate with a diverse ever evolving set of humans, all while staying in the mind-frame that we learn with and from each other, my PLN will reflect that inclusivity and modesty. It will reflect value in all voices.    

After participating in the readings and videos, I have come to realize that inclusion is exactly what adds to my PLN and what makes it successful. Inclusion is what drives knowledge, conversation and action. It is what generates conversations and forward thinking. Therefore, without it, a PLN would likely sink and become very one-sided and bias, thus less informed and less respected. I am currently thinking about my deep rooted purposes behind my PLN and intend on reframing and restructuring it as I move forward. My PLN is a journey, not a final product.

Citation:

Moore, S., Miller,J. (2021, February 07). EDCI 338 A01 Week 5 A Conversation with Shelley Moore. February 09, 2021, YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGx0ejnMLVc&feature=youtu.be

Moore, Shelley. One Without the Other : Stories of Unity Through Diversity and Inclusion, Portage & Main Press, 2017. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/lib/uvic/detail.action? docID=4832579.

Moore, S. (2018, November 05). Don’t Should on Me: It’s not easy being NOT green. February 9, 2021, YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeRNhz0nGts&feature=youtu.be

Moore, S. (2016, April 04). Transforming Inclusive Education .  February 09, 2021. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYtUlU8MjlY.

Colunga, K. (2020, December 19). The Social Media Silo Situation. Viewpoint.  February 10, 2021,  https://viewpoint.pointloma.edu/the-social-media-silo-situation/

Image from : Direct Course (2016). https://directcourseonline.com/equity-equality-inclusion/

Students all over the globe are reaching out to be found by potential employers, coaches, collaborators, etc.. and they are using several online tools to do so. Students are currently using networks such as LinkedIn, blogs, forum chats, and webpages to develop their professional networks. That being said, I also know several educators and companies which are using Instagram to post and create a professional network.  When I began noticing what students were using to build their networks, I started looking at mine.

After evaluating my own V&R map, I became aware of some of the things I could consider doing in order to expand my PLN. I could separate how I use my Instagram in order to expand my PLN. For example, my personal Instagram, which is riddled with my kids and my family which is currently intertwined with my teaching projects, could be broken up into a personal more private account and a professional teaching account. This way I can keep my personal separate from professional (as mush as possible with tight settings). Doing so would allow like-minded professionals a lens into my classroom and a chance to reach out, rather than seeing images of my kids and become disinterested as it doesn’t mirror their interests. The same would go for the caregivers of my students. A professional Instagram could give them some insight into my practices and pedagogy, thus allowing them to see the type of teacher I am. Another thing I can do to increase my professional learning network would be to use the website created in this course to attach my professional Instagram page to so that I can be found in different platforms all in one place. This way, I can send out a newsletter with my website attached and then caregivers and other professionals can search me from that location with the information I provide, rather than any information they get while googling me. Finally, I feel it would be important to implement platforms that other educators, my students and their caregivers are using. For example, other educators use Google Classroom, MS Teams as well as Instagram. Parents are using FreshGrade, which I currently use, as well as Instagram. Perhaps, I could somehow build this into my website with links so I can inform, engage, inspire and nurture education for all in one place. As Wikipedia points out, “participants in all of the educational stages frequently mentioned convenience/ease of use as an important factor in obtaining information” (Wikipedia, 2020), therefore perhaps making all my links convenient can make it easier for all users of my website to find what they need to support their learning which, in turn, helps me.

No matter how I choose to network,  it is incredibly important to create a digital image of myself that is respectable. I need to remember that I am putting myself  on the web to either tell something about myself or to attract potential employers, coaches, collaborators etc… Therefore, when I am acting in social networks, it is vital to do so with thought, care and attention to the fact that my comment has both positive and negative impacts to myself and possibly others, all which can all be traced back to me. In other words, I need to stop and think “Why am I sharing?” and “How will what I post demonstrate the kind of person I am?”

For example, If I am choosing to share something I find funny, I need to ask myself, “Will it be funny to all?” Will it discriminate? Will it hurt feelings? Will it be taken out of context? What would a potential employer think of this? If I can justify those questions, I might think about posting it. However, if those answers cannot be justified, I will absolutely not post.

Not only should I consider what I post, I should acknowledge the importance of how I post on other people’s posts or comments. I must think about the direct link that a potential person has to my comment and what my comment shows about the type of person I  am. When I post or comment, I always act how I do when I am speaking to someone in person, or even maybe a little bit better as there is a paper trail. I am supportive of what I believe and kind in how I treat and speak to others. I may have a differing opinion, however, I continue to be kind and thoughtful. The reason I believe it is important to watch how I say things or what I say in comments comes from experience when I welcomed an adult volunteer into our class. They seemed absolutely lovely. A colleague of mine came in and mentioned to be weary of sharing too much to this person as they have a habit of “being kind to your face and ripping you apart on social media.” I was taken back. I asked how she knew this and then she showed me the mom’s group chat comments of facebook written by this volunteer. I was now terrified to have this volunteer back as I didn’t know what could possibly be posted about myself or the learners in our classroom. I never asked this person back because their posts gave me insight into how they behave online, which changed my mind about them in person. They seemed sweet, but showed a different side online. This volunteer hindered their own opportunity by posting unkind remarks online. I have since made a written contract that any volunteer in our room must sign which mentions how they must keep anything they see to themselves or actions could be taken. The contract mentions both online and offline comments. I hope it helps people think before they write or talk.

On the other side of this, when I created my V&R map, I noticed how it isn’t always about how a person can damage their image to an employer. They can also enhance their opportunity by participating in more networks. Currently, I tend to “lurk” in a few platforms but have not yet shared my thinking. Take Twitter for example. I follow people and the news on twitter, but I have yet to post. When I stop to think about why, it stems from my fear of backlash from an employer or caregiver, as well as the potential to post something out of context. However, if I actually participated in this realm and became more of a resident, my ability to be noticed would increase substantially. Tweeting is a quick and efficient way to get what you are doing out in the world within seconds. There are so many users and potential collaborators which use this platform, so when I want the chance to be noticed it would be important to participate on the Twitter platform. I would  just have to remember the reasons WHY I am posting and HOW what I choose to post can make me look to ALL potential readers.

If  a future employer were to search my name, they would not come up with much. I do use several “alias” names for different accounts which are managed quite securely. They would likely come up with my running times, marathon photos and my outdated LinkedIn account. The running and marathon will absolutely be fine to see by an employer as it may show them I am determined, athletic and work towards my goals. However, my LinkedIn is outdated and I should either cancel it, or update it so that potential employers do not have outdated information regarding my current credentials.

One question I still have is, in regards to the quality of my overall digital identity (both personal and professional). After participating in the V&R activity and readings and really taking a look at how I use platforms, I wonder if I should separate my ID’s into two separate networks- a professional and a super secure private personal, or should I somehow meld the two. I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Citation:

Wikipedia contributors. “Digital Visitor and Resident.” Wikipedia, 31 Dec. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visitor_and_Resident

“V&R Mapping.” David White, 13 Jan. 2020, daveowhite.com/vandr/vr-mapping/.