Thank you for your post! I found your table very easy to understand the steps we can take to stay safe. I really like that you emphasized the 2 factor authentication and backed it up with a credible source. This is a great way of strengthening a point and I found that statistic to be very impressive! Your section on ethics was strong as well. Your point about respecting others is a great foundation as people often act completely different online than they would in the real world and this can cause emotional harm for many. I am wondering if you could have provided some examples of respectful behaviour online? What are some key points of respect that people can focus on in digital spaces? I can see that you mentioned a few online sources such as AP news and Reuters. I am unfamiliar with these sources so perhaps you could have incorporated a section explaining what digital platforms you use to grow your PLN and how you use them? Overall, great job!
Thanks for sharing such an engaging post! I really like your section on inclusivity and UDL in PLNs. You used really great examples for each of the 3 portions which helped the concept come to life. I also liked that you tied in a reflection about growing up in a diverse country like Canada – I think it is important to consider and tie in social cultures/norms into the work we do. You also do a great job at sharing your experiences using social media for academic purposes which have also led you to make friends in your program. This shows how PLNs can foster professional and personal growth, often at the same time! I was wondering if there have been any barriers in using reddit and instagram for academic learning, such as credibility of sources?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts in an organized way! I enjoyed reading about how you have built your own personalized learning network using platforms including Reddit, LinkedIn and Youtube. Your explanation of how each platform supports your own learning style was clear and comprehensive. I like how you described subreddits as “small learning communities” as this emphasizes how learning is built on one another’s ideas, instead of an instructor-learner type of relationship. I also noticed that you have a deep understanding of how to apply the UDL framework and you provided detailed examples of how you did such. I appreciated your point about “nurturing joy and play” in learning as this highlights that digital spaces can be fun and using humour is an effective tactic to engage an audience. I always find content to be easier to digest when there is a creative twist. All of your sections were very thoughtful, however the one area I noticed could have used more detail and examples was the section on diversity. I wonder if you could give a specific example of a time where you felt it was especially important to gain information from different cultural backgrounds? Was it in a personal way or a professional way? Overall, all your posts have been very strong and thoughtful and I admire your writing style. Great work!
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.
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
Thanks for sharing! I appreciate how you are able to distinguish so clearly between professional and personal digital identity. I think that even just you recognizing that you feel like you don’t have anything worth sharing in a professional space is professional in itself! I also really like that you acknowledged under your resident map that your social media platform use varies depending on the time of year. I wonder if there is a creative way to display that on the map? Additionally, you make a great point that you need to use different passwords for different sites as so many people would be tempted to use the same one for various platforms for convenience/memory sake. How do you think teaching these kinds of habits could be implemented in education systems?
Thanks for sharing! Firstly, I really like the metaphor you used at the beginning with the coin example. This is a really strong way of getting readers to visualize what you are explaining. Also, you did a really great job with providing a variety of external resources, including videos, articles, and podcasts. I am wondering if perhaps a table comparing the self-directed learning versus constructivist learning would help organize information? I agree with what you said about doing projects on something you are interested in versus something you are not interested in. Finally, your resident map looks so great! It is cool that you included BC ferries, I wouldn’t have thought to include it even though I also use it so much!
Hi Melissa! Thank you for sharing! I really like your writing style – it is clear and engaging. It is true, there is so much misinformation out there so it is very important to ensure students are aware of this. I am happy that UVIC, especially in my major (Psychology), puts such an emphasis on using and relying on peer-reviewed research articles, as it is so easy to be captured by an engaging TikTok video, like you mentioned. You also made such a great point that people tend to be more ruthless in what they say online if they are anonymous. These hurtful comments can lead to long-term, irreversible consequences for some. Great selection for your feature picture as it is bright and eye-catching! However, perhaps a list or a table could be used to organize information and to break up the paragraphs? Other than that, I really enjoyed reading your post.
Hi Chelsey! Thank you for posting. That’s great that you could recognize that social media was impacting your life and make a change. I often do this too and while it is refreshing, it only lasts a short period of time typically. I really like that you included an external resource of Emma Chamberlain as she is really great at engaging her audience while being informative and wise. Also, like you mention, her long-form of content allows for a more comprehensive conversation, rather than short form content which can leave the mind quite fast. I appreciate you touching on the subject of AI, however, I wonder if diving into the pros of AI and how we can incorporate this tool safely into educational spaces would be beneficial?
Thank you for sharing your blog post! I really like that you acknowledged the fact that so many people view social media as a distraction, when in reality, it can be such a useful tool if used correctly. I also appreciate your stance on the fact that digital resources can really cut down time on tedious tasks and also act as supplementary tools for academic purposes. The amount of crash course videos I have watched is insane, but I truly do think they helped me understand course material more. I like that they are verbally informative and visually informative. It creates more opportunity for people of all different learning styles to gain information. I also really like the visual aesthetic of your website – how the blue contrasts with the black. Additionally, I appreciate you contrasting the good and the bad of social media being used for educational purposes. I am wondering if maybe a table laying out the pros and cons would be a good visual for this kind of comparison?
It is extremely important to differentiate between a personal and professional digital identity because you are essentially showcasing different parts of your life to meet different goals. Personal digital identity refers to how we display and express ourselves and use digital platforms in a social way. This often involves interacting with and sharing content that we find personally interesting. For example, posting a picture skiing with friends on snapchat. Professional digital identity is similar in the way that you are presenting yourself in a certain way, however this would involve professional goals, which would be characterized by different things, like creating a LinkedIn profile for potential employers to review, or participation in class discussions. Much of the time, what you may share in a personal digital platform would not align with professional goals. For example, selling something inappropriate on your company’s marketplace would be deemed as unprofessional and can impact your professional reputation, employment opportunities and more. This is why we must create boundaries between our personal and professional digital identities.
I follow multiple practices to manage the boundary between my personal and professional identity, such as:
Privacy settings: I keep my social media accounts (e.g. Instagram) private and only allow appropriate people to follow and engage with my content.
Mindfulness on social media networks: I ensure that if I am publicly engaging on digital platforms to use careful language, as oftentimes people can access this information without my knowledge. I avoid posting anything I wouldn’t want an employer or professor to see.
Separate accounts: I use different platforms for different reasons. For example, I use Instagram solely for personal reasons and use LinkedIn solely for professional reasons. If I ever did need to use Instagram for a professional reason, I would create a separate account to initiate a boundary.
Self-searching: I oftentimes will search myself up on platforms, including google, to monitor what my digital identity looks like from the outside. I haven’t encountered a time where I found something I didn’t like, but if I did, I would adjust accordingly (e.g. delete a photo).
Digital Visitor and Resident Map
According to the YouTube video in this week’s module “Visitors and Residents,” a visitor and resident map can be used to explain digital engagement motivation. It maps our use of online platforms. The following terms can be used to explain our activity on the map:
Resident: we are choosing to go online to be present with other people. We leave a social trace that remains when we go offline. This includes posting TikTok’s or Instagram photos, commenting on reddit, or posting on a LinkedIn profile. This kind of activity is linked to our identity.
Visitor: we think of web tools. we use this to achieve things. we use it as a tool and put it back and close a lid. This does not leave a social trace. This includes activities such as searching up when Henry the 8th was born on google (without signing in), reading reddit posts without commenting, or scrolling Pinterest for outfit ideas.
Personal: this means we use web tools for personal reasons, interests, or social relationships. For example, using Instagram to post pictures for your friends to see, or using it to watch cooking videos.
Institutional/Professional: this means we use web tools for professional purposes, such as school or work. For example, I use email every day at work, YouTube for school, and network on LinkedIn
Digital Map Sections Explained
Feature
Definition
Visibility
Example
Institutional
Work/Education
Can be visible or invisible
LinkedIn post about a new position or emailing your professor a question
Personal
You and your interests
Can be visible or invisible
Posting a get ready with me video or creating a Pinterest board
Visitor
Used to achieve things
Mostly invisible (no social trace)
Searching a fact on google
Resident
Using the platform to “live” or have a prescence
Highly visible (identity focused with a social trace)
Posting and interacting with people regarding your daily life on Instagram
My Digital Map
It is important to note that the map is a continuum, meaning that platforms can be used across different quadrants and are not meant to be exclusive to one area. For example, I placed TikTok overlapping between personal and institutional as I use it for personal entertainment and for studying purposes, equally. I placed it as highly visible as I post content on TikTok. I use reddit only for personal reasons and typically only read posts with an occasional comment, which is why reddit is placed there on the map. On Instagram, I frequently post and share my life, while interacting with others. I only use Pinterest for browsing aesthetic inspiration like room decorations and outfits; however I do not have a public presence or post anything, which is why it is placed highly visitor/personal.
Theories of Personalized Learning
Theories of personalized learning, including constructivism and self-directed learning, explore how effective learning is when it is focused on the learner; when individual needs, strengths, and challenges are accounted for.
Constructivist Theory
Self-Directed Learning Theory
What is it?
Building knowledge through experiences (learners construct their own understanding), learning builds upon what is already known
Students are encouraged to set their own goals and autonomy is promoted
Example
Open ended discussions where everyone can share their thoughts
An assignment where a student has creative freedom on their approach or ways to showcase their knowledge
Personalized learning makes me feel empowered because I can use my strengths to figure out a topic or task. I also notice that when my learning is more flexible, it is a more enjoyable experience overall, which boosts my internal motivation to succeed. For example, in one of my Psychology classes, we were given a few options for our term assignments: an essay, a creative art piece, or a PowerPoint. Not only were these great options for demonstrating my knowledge, but it allowed me to find strengths and enjoyment in areas I was not expecting. For my first assignment, I opted for the essay route as I have lots of experience in writing essays. I got a mark I was not happy with, so I then tried the PowerPoint option, where I not only could have more fun with, but I also received a better mark on. I felt empowered that I figured this out on my own, instead of being given a blueprint by my professor.
I find that personalized learning has taught me time management skills. I can work at my own pace, based on what I know my strengths and challenges are. For instance, I know that it takes me ages to write an essay, so I can allot more time to that, but the reference page, I can complete in 10 minutes. Therefore, I can use my personal experiences to prioritize my time accordingly. I think I have also developed adaptability, as we saw in my example of choosing a different approach for my Psychology assignment, where I can pivot when necessary.
Privacy, Surveillance, and Digital Footprint Awareness
A digital footprint refers to the data trace that is left behind each time the internet is used, including social media posts, search history, and online purchases. It is essential to be aware of this as much of the time, your online activity is undergoing surveillance. Companies, governments, and more, frequently track and store data to analyze behaviour and predict future actions. This is why when you click on one advertisement, it continues to pop up over and over again. As mentioned in the article by Regan and Jesse (2018), this is a concern in the educational space when using technological resources. Edtech apps can observe and track students, where small details such as how long it takes to answer a question, can be gathered and possibly used for predicting and determining student learning patterns. Furthermore, there is no clear jurisdiction over who owns student records when using edtech companies (the school or the edtech company), and current FIPPs are oftentimes outdated in addressing the amount of and complexity of data these companies have.
It is extremely important to be aware of and take privacy measures to protect personal information, including the following:
educate yourself on data collection and use
advocate for transparency from digital companies
be mindful of the tools you are using (notice and research concerning patterns you see from certain digital platforms)
be careful of what you do/post online
For additional information on taking privacy measures, watch this video on how to protect your data online:
