Photo by Sahana Chattopadhyay on Why Build Personal Learning Networks
PLN Spaces Through Social Media
I use various personal learning networks to support both my personal and professional growth, including TikTok, LinkedIn, Reddit and Pinterest. Since I do not post often on social media, I mainly use it as inspiration. For example, I often use TikTok and Pinterest for outfit inspiration. I see fashion and clothes as a way to express oneself, which can contribute directly to self-growth. Exploring how others express themselves through fashion helps me discover my own preferences and style. Additionally, seeing outfit inspiration online sparks my creativity, allowing me to reinterpret those ideas in a way that feels personal to me. In turn, I feel more confident in my daily life, including professional settings. How you present yourself in a professional setting can deeply impact your reputation, so having online platforms to explore work-appropriate outfits helps me grow professionally as well.
Privacy, Ethics, and Security in Digital Spaces
As our world becomes more and more digital, privacy, ethics, and security play a crucial role in shaping safe and respectful online environments. Security and privacy is something to pay close attention to and be very mindful of as it protects our personal information and overall safety. Here are some ways I practice digital privacy and security:
- Using strong and unique passwords with special characters such as @ # and $
- Never clicking on links I do not trust and using resources to double check if I am unsure (for example, at work, I contact the IT department if I am unsure about a link)
- Ensuring I do not share any personal information that could be misused in a harmful way by others (e.g. if my house number is in the back of a photo, I crop or blur it)
Additionally, practicing ethical digital behaviour is essential in maintaining the intended purpose of online environments and ensuring everyone feels safe and included. When people behave ethically online by practicing things such as respectful language use or being considerate of others’ opinions, they can help reduce harmful outcomes such as the spread of misinformation, cyberbullying, and emotional or psychological distress. O’Reilly et al. (2025) note that “digital ethics of care” should focus on attentiveness to human need, responsibility to respond, competency, and the moral position to act. These are crucial for online interactions as O’Reilly et al. (2025) found that there is a lack of empathy in digital spaces which often show in bullying, trolling and unkind behaviour. This is likely due to the absence of social cues we may see in a face-to-face interaction which can impact empathetic responses and lead to posting without thinking.
Inclusivity and UDL in PLNs
I try my best to ensure my PLN is inclusive to allow individuals from different backgrounds to understand my thoughts and work. By using multiple means of engagement, I provide options for people to engage and understand my content, including incorporating videos, and research articles, and a place for viewers to comment. Through multiple means of representation, I ensure information is accessible in different formats like images, tables, and video links. Making my content more diverse not only makes it more accessible to viewers but also challenges me to think more creatively and selflessly.
| Universal Design for Learning (UDL Principle) | How it Supports Inclusivity in Digital Learning Spaces |
| 1. Multiple Means of Engagement | Provides learners with an equal opportunity to access content, encourages autonomy in engagement, and helps those with barriers understand material better |
| 2. Multiple Means of Representation | Ensures accessibility for various learning needs and highlights key ideas using symbols, clear language, videos, etc. so individuals can have a develop their own understanding |
| 3. Multiple Means of Action and Expression | Provides different options for responding, communicating, clarifying or expressing understandings |
Please feel free to watch this video, which explains how EDI (a topic that is widely discussed in all learning environments except for digital ones) can be practiced in online learning environments, with specific examples and scenarios that are related to the universal design for learning principles:
Challenges and Importance of Diversity in Digital Learning
Diversity in digital learning matters for a variety of reasons, including the following:
- Learning enrichment: hearing different experiences and perspectives allows for critical thinking
- Improved participation from learners: inclusive materials can support diverse learning needs, therefore increase participation levels
- Social development: interacting with diverse individuals can help develop social skills, such as social cue reading or communication methods
Here are some steps that can be taken to promote a more inclusive digital environment where all voices are represented and respected:
- Encourage conversation: invite and respond to feedback from different perspectives
- Improve accessibility: provide content in multiple formats to help people with different learning needs
- Reflect on your own understanding: regularly reflect on your learning to improve any bad habits that cause you to potentially exclude others
References
O’Reilly, M., Kiyimba, N., & Levine, D. (2025). Promoting a digital ethics of care: A digital cognitive interruption to facilitate U.K. adolescents’ empathy in online spaces. Journal of Children and Media, 19(2), 307–326. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2024.2411417
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