Most social media sites furnish online space for various practices in creating trust and relationships, connections and collaborations, and a personal learning environment. Similarly, Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) connect learners with a group of professionals, mentors, or educators to enhance learners’ learning environment. These tools play a critical role in education discourse by forming a community of practice that brings learners from different parts of the world together to develop relationships, share common interests, and learn from experts. This blog focuses on how PLNs and social media sites and blogs share affects various aspects of education and educational discourse.
Community communication sometimes can be more effective than social media and blogs, but at the same time, it can lower the transmission of information. Therefore, learners and educators need to message out their information to the right communication community. PLNs, as a form of communication community, help develop a given thought or idea by providing educators and learners with access to resources and tools where they can draw or develop new knowledge or understanding on a given thought or idea. Conversely, it hinders the development of ideas and thoughts by providing misleading information on a given thought or idea, especially when directed to a non-interested or wrong community (Veletsianos 132).
Education discourse refers to a personalized category of discourse whose aim is to impart knowledge in a classroom setting, especially communication. It engages learners in interactive practices that aim to make them proficient in academic communication. Educators can create discourse in various ways. One way is by altering the education resources to suit their learners, mostly in communication. The other way is using the think-pair-share method to encourage learners to participate in various discussions (Veletsianos 92). A think-pair-share approach allows learners to think alone on various solutions critically then grants them a chance to talk through their thoughts with a partner.
Social media is an important tool in the current world’s education setting. First, it enhances communication between learners and educators from various corners of the world. Second, information can be stored in various social media platforms for a longer duration due to the internet’s storage ability (Couros 124). Leaners can retrieve this information at any time to help them further or develop a new understanding of a given education subject.
Despite being a powerful tool in an education setting, social media communication is also a hindrance in education affairs. First, it limits how people present their points of view since the ideas shared on these platforms are not acknowledged by everyone. It normally creates panic when expressing an opinion to avoid attacks from other users. Second, some people can use the platforms to discuss topics that violate others’ rights or share controversial topics or negative remarks that may affect others psychologically (Couros 109).
As provided in the video, PLN is a very useful learning device for professionals. From providing them with instant information accessibility and connections to a large group of individuals who need their help or have an array of expertise, PLN offers them more learning opportunities and transforms their professional development. As an interpersonal connection system, PLN provides professionals with resources and connections that support formal and informal learning (Baker).
Despite having numerous social media platforms that provide information on various topics, not all are accepted in education. Recommended social media platforms for education are sites with valuable knowledge like insights and analytics on various topics for study purposes. Also, they must create better learner training approaches and shape the learners’ culture. Examples are Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Google Plus. These social media channels provide learners with useful information and communicate education news (Couros 112).
With the same social media platform to engage community dialogues, people can have an inclusive learning or community dialogue platform that accommodates all people’s point of view and reduce any form of biasness in education affairs (Veletsianos 98). When dealing with vulnerable sectors, social media helps provide them with necessary thoughts, opinions, or ideas that best suit their areas of need.
References:
Baker, Brad. “Brad Baker EDCI 338″ YouTube, uploaded by Miller, June 10, 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5z8iHxW2n4&ab_channel=MILLER. Accessed 4 Nov. 2021.
Couros, Alec. “Developing Personal Learning Networks for Open and Social Learning.” Emerging Technologies in Distance Education, edited by George Veletsianos, AU Press, 2010, 109-125.
Veletsianos, George. Emerging Technologies in Distance Education, AU Press, 2010.
kevingdzw
Hi Ruobing Bai
I quite agree with you that while there are many social media platforms that provide information on a variety of topics, not all of them are accepted by education, and again due to the differences in access technology and the capabilities of some platforms, using social media may actually lead to equitable distribution. But there is more fairness if all students use the same platform to have conversations.