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.  Â
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.  Â
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/
Great post Jayne! I am the same way in how I use my social media accounts. I enjoy seeing others post world events but I do not not post it myself. I too rather just gain more knowledge about the topic than to post it on my account. It’s not that I don’t care about the topi, but I prefer to just educate myself on it. I find some people post so much, they don’t even know the background information.
Hi Rianne,
Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I have to say, I do not always engage, but then there are times when I feel more comfortable to engage. This reaction to engagement is what I am exploring deeper. Why do I choose to only sit back and learn when I know my voice is just as important? In what situations is this happening? Why am I not as confident in some realms as others? These are all the questions I am asking myself while thinking about inclusion and in creating my PLN. I know many people comment without much thought or education of the subject, but perhaps that is our chance to educate them. It is our chance to include them in the conversation so that they become more enlightened and thus more inclusive/ educated.
Hi Jayne,
I definitely agree that you take the initiative in challenging others’ thinking on mattermost. I can see how one would partake in the silo of information when it comes to their personal life, as you mention, you don’t wanna muddy the water but, do you feel like it should be more beneficial to not partake in the silo of information in personal life? Personally, I feel like due to the pandemic, many people, including myself, have done a lot of reflection about themselves. When I was writing my blog, I realized that I “muddy the water” in my personal life significantly because the challenge or the outcome that arises from it helps me become a better version of myself. Furthermore, in personal life, you can express your thoughts and the emotions associated with them in a more meaningful and effective manner, compared to online where one might not pick up that a subject is making you sad or you are being sarcastic about something.
I feel like due to the cancel culture that is prominent on the web, many people are becoming afraid of posting/expressing themselves online. I mean yes, you shouldn’t go ballistic or crazy with what you share but when the cancel culture or fear of being judged online is hindering you to express yourself, to me, that means that you are losing a way and/or chance of expanding your PLN. And slowly, this fear creeps into your mind which impacts our personal reality, where we second guess what to express. Your thoughts, which you didn’t share, might have helped someone else express their own. What is your opinion on that? Do you see the idea of being careful on what you share on the web slowly impacting you in regards to the way you share/express stuff in person?
Hi Nav,
Thank you for your comment and for taking the time to read this post. As a response to your question regarding if I think it is more beneficial that I participate in a silo of conversation in my personal life, I would answer no. I should be able to be open and reflective, to be a voice in the conversation and to share my perspective. The deeper questions that I am asking myself are, “Why do I choose to only sit back and learn when I know my voice is just as important? In what situations is this happening? Why am I not as confident in some realms as others?” I am starting to look at my actions as a whole in my PLN as well as online anywhere and truly questioning why I post some of the things I do and what the purpose is. Also, much like asha writes in their post, when commenting not in person, without intonation and body language, it becomes easier to misinterpret comments. Therefore, perhaps the reason I do not engage more in my personal online realm is due to this potential conflict/problem of potential misunderstanding. I have posted regarding deep personal things, such as my miscarriage, to help others understand that they are not alone out there. However, I am not sure of how I would feel if someone contradicted one of my thoughts on that… These are all big questions that need a lot of digesting and thinking over. I think this is what I am in the process of doing. I don’t think I share less in person because I have the ability to show my body language, engage in quick IN THE MOMENT conversation and to discuss any misconceptions right then and there… very good questions you bring up and I appreciate you getting me thinking even more 🙂
Hi Jayne! I really enjoyed reading how you reflected and analyzed your presence in PLN and built your thoughts and ideas on it to take it to the next level. I noticed I have been in a very similar place as you when you mentioned that you usually sit safely in the background learning from many voices. Although I feel confident speaking when it is my turn to speak, I am a very quiet person in nature and definitely not the loudest in the room when speaking up become an option.
I agree that the best kind of learning happens when done reciprocally. You share your knowledge and inspiration as well as absorbing from others, do the molding in your brain, you give your bits to others and maybe get a hand from others to mold it together, and then you keep on growing your knowledge and sharing it. I think we can keep on going really far like this. It’s amazing how ideas and knowledge evolve going through process like this! Just like what you said, I also would like to put myself out there and truly be a part of the community by listening more, sharing more, and collaborating more! 🙂
Jayne, after reading what your outcome is for your PLN, I was very impressed with what you said and at the same time it made me realize how short sighted my outcome for my PLN was. One of the reasons I like reading your posts is that they do include real life situations so I find myself understanding the content better. Sharing ideas and listening to others in our group especially, has given me an opportunity to learn from others who not only have different interests but are at different stages of their life/learning. As an educator of young people, I am sure that diversity and inclusion is something that you deal with daily and that exposure has lead you to be so insightful in your blog posts! I am thankful that you are in my group!
Calli,
What a kind comment. Thank you. I am glad it helps you. Our conversations also teach me copious amounts and as you can see by the way I cite your name, add to my posts. The posts are what they are because we get the chance to chat. I am grateful for you and what you bring to the table.