Building a Personalized Learning Network

What is TikTok?

TikTok is a popular social media platform for creating and sharing short video clips that are typically 15-60 seconds long. TikTok was released in 2016 and is targeted toward the younger audience, but there are people of all ages with popular content pages. Videos commonly shared include, singing, dancing, educational videos, movie clips, voiceovers and lip-syncing, where users can use their own audio, or choose from other users’ audios to add to their own videos. TikTok used to be primarily for entertainment purposes, but is increasingly becoming more popular as an outlet to share news, tips, tutorials, and reviews. When creating an account, you can choose to have a private or a public account and you can also follow, message and comment on other people’s content. Most content that people consume from TikTok comes from their “For You” page, where a personalized feed of videos is created for you to scroll through and interact with, based on your digital footprint. A person’s digital identity refers to their online presence and personal data that is linked back to them (Avast, 2020), where TikTok utilizes this information to expose you to videos that will be relatable and interesting based on your online presence. Personally, I use TikTok as a visitor, rather than a resident and therefore I do not post my own content but have created a PLN through the videos that I view and other users’ content that I interact with.

What features & characteristics of TikTok makes it effective for personal learning?

I think that TikTok is a great example of how with all social media platforms, your digital footprint is what makes social media and technology effective for personalized learning, because the content is targeted to fulfill what you are seeking to learn about. The TikTok For You page allows for an effective way for content to be personalized. The algorithm is carefully designed to show videos that the individual is interested in, or has previously spent time watching or searching up. The content is curated to that individual, making it an effective technology for personal learning. It is still important to question the content that you are seeing and be conscious of fake news (Miller, 2021). If you watch videos posted by reliable sources and interact with positive and respectful content, this is what will continue to appear. 

How does TikTok allow you to enhance/develop your digital identity/reputation?

TikTok allows users to post a wide range of content, where popular accounts often have a niche, where they are known for providing education or entertainment on a specific topic. Their videos then appear on the For You page of people close in their area, or those who enjoy watching content similar to what they post. The profile customization and freedom to post about nearly anything allows for great personalization. The identity you want to create for yourself and what you want to be known for sharing is completely up to you. Your PLN creates a narrative of how other people view you online. Individuals are then able to build a career off of sharing their life, or just post and engage for enjoyment purposes. It is important to keep in mind that when creating your PLN, to prioritize your own best interest and mental health. When you begin to share your life online, people create narratives of you in their head and may hold you to an unrealistic standard. I often see online creators being accused by their audience, or becoming known for something that is false. Although TikTok is a great platform for developing a digital identity through your own PLN, you could become a public figure overnight and there is no way to make everyone online happy.

How to build a presence on TikTok:

After considering the content we have learnt through the weekly readings and class discussions, as well as my own personal experiences and some information from a blog posted by Acquire Agency (2021) on growing a business presence on TikTok, I have created seven points on how I think you could build an online presence via TikTok: 

• To have a successful PLN, you must be authentic and show your personality. Avoid delivering your content to your audience in an advertising manner (Acquire Agency, 2021) and instead show creativity and authenticity in the content you share.
• Build a content strategy by determining your niche. To promote your PLN, choose something that aligns with your interests, rather than just focusing on what you think people will be interested in viewing. Again, users enjoy authenticity. For example, you may choose to post cooking videos, daily “get ready with me” videos, or life hacks.
• Be consistent and regular with your posts in order to keep your audience engaged. Some content creators will film multiple videos ahead of time if they will not have time to film daily, and then post these drafts later on so that they are still providing their audience with regular content.
• Reference using hashtags and paid ads to increase your views. These paid ads may include branded effects, branded hashtags, in-feed ads, and so on (Acquire Agency, 2021).
• Feedback from your viewers. It is impossible to please everybody, but listening to what your audience enjoys seeing and interacting with your watchers, so they feel personally connected to you.
• Participate in things that are currently trending and partner with other creators. People love seeing when two public figures that they like (who perhaps did not previously know each other) come together and collaborate.
• Cross-promote on other platforms and link your other social media accounts to your TikTok account. Or, share your TikTok videos on Instagram as well if you have a following on Instagram.

How to know that your PLN is a success & my personal experiences:

When I first downloaded TikTok, my PLN was based on being a visitor, where I did not plan to post videos, but just wanted to see others post relatable content for enjoyment purposes. I initially thought that I would use it to mindlessly scroll, but over time it has shifted to have more of a learning and educational value to me. I recently went traveling in Europe, and before going I was able to look up other peoples videos of must-see landmarks, things to be cautious of in certain areas, or reviews on different restaurants with detailed visuals. This helped prepare me for my travels and once I started searching these places, they began to appear on my For You page with further information and tips that I initially would not have thought to research. My PLN also consists of videos on tips for school, such as how people have set themselves up for a successful and organized school year, or resources where you can access discounted textbooks. Overall, I think that your PLN can become a success when you meet your original goals of what you wanted to achieve when creating your social media account, but also when you are gaining new knowledge and modifying your goals to better fit your happiness and wellbeing. Goals can change – previously my intentions with TikTok were personal and leisurely, but now my PLN is also based on educational and daily-life learning purposes.

References

Acquire Agency (2021, August 20). How to grow a business presence on TikTok. Acquire Agency. https://www.acquireagency.com/blog/how-to-grow-a-business-presence-on-tiktok 

Avast (2020) What is digital identity?. Avast. https://blog.avast.com/what-is-digital-identity-avast

Miller, J. (2021, June 6). EDCI 338 – Media literacy with Julie Smith. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57r3-aEnci0

Moore, S. (2016) One Without the Other: Stories of Unity Through Diversity and Inclusion. Portage & Main Press

What is Facebook?

Facebook is an online  networking site that allows you to connect with family, friends, colleagues, and beyond. Through sharing photos, articles, posts, and more Facebook is a platform that aids communication and connection between users. While Facebook might not be seen as a traditional “personalized learning network” due to the casual nature of communicating with friends, I believe Facebook embodies the characteristics of a PLN. 

Facebook was designed as a hub for content sharing and has slowly changed into a hub for networking and expanding social connections. As we have learned throughout the term, a professional learning network refers to a network (or group) of individuals, resources, and connections that others use to aid their development in some way- whether that be professional or personal development. When reflecting on the main components of PLN’s such as connections, collaboration, learning, teaching, growth, and support, it becomes evident that Facebook has all of these components in some way.

How to set up, maintain, and engage in PLN’s using Facebook

• First, we know that in order to have a successful PLN you need to be transparent- that includes your identity. The first step to creating a PLN via Facebook would be to set up a profile that is all encompassing of you- use a recent profile photo, add any relevant info etc. We want to make these as personal as we can (while maintaining internet safety, of course), so that others feel comfortable interacting with our PLN. 
• Next, we need to decide what the goal of our PLN is. Are you using Facebook to communicate with family or friends? Are you using Facebook to contact potential employers? Are you using Facebook to join self help groups/ become a self help PLN? There are many options and we are able to gauge if our PLN has been successful or not.
• Then – the most important step- reach out to people!! Follow relevant groups, look for pages that align with what you are looking for. Engage with these people, ask and answer questions, give and take support when needed-  be an active member. Communicating through PLN’s is very similar to communicating in an office, the more you reach out and make yourself available, the more resources you will be exposed to- as highlighted by Shelley Moore. 
• After you have either formed a group or joined a group- share content consistently! Get to know others. You’ll be able to maintain and grow your platform through consistent use.

Personal examples of professional and personal use of my PLN on Facebook

I wanted to provide a specific example of how I followed these steps and created a PLN using Facebook. I like to babysit on weekday nights and weekends to make some extra money. I was having a very hard time finding families to babysit for and I had a friend suggest Facebook. I made a Facebook account with a recent profile photo, accurate personal info, and a small bio about myself. I went to the search bar and typed “Victoria Babysitting”- SO many different groups came up. There must have been at least 10 different groups with a wide variety of people in them. I joined just about every group and uploaded a post. I introduced myself, talked about what I liked doing, my experience babysitting etc. I received over 20 messages just that night! After communicating with these families, I was able to go all around Victoria meeting these families and eventually babysitting for some of them. It ended up being a very successful job for me, that I still do. When I find that families are dwindling off I add a new post and I instantly meet new families. So while babysitting is a very casual job, this shows the possibilities of PLNs- I found jobs on Facebook I never would have got in “real life”. There are also many groups of babysitters that chat about recent families they have babysat for, as well as ones with babysitting advice, etc. Facebook allows you to contact a world of people you would not have run into in daily life. Julie Smith talked about this throughout her interview with professor Jesse Miller- mentioning how social media can be a 24/7 “river of professional development”. These groups on Facebook act as this “river”, you can go onto these pages at any time and receive any feedback you may be looking for.

Another fun way I have used facebook in the past for networking is by joining UVic related groups. I moved to UVic during COVID and had a hard time meeting new people. I went to Facebook and looked up UVIC 2024 and found so many students in the same boat as me! They were all living on campus and wanting to meet new people. I joined a group that ended up meeting one night to go and get dinner- I decided to go and I met three wonderful girls at that dinner- who are now my roommates and have been for the past 2 years! So while it might seem extreme, without Facebook my life would be entirely different. I do not know if I would have met these girls in my time at UVic if it wasnt for this specific Facebook chat. 

I feel these two examples highlight how Facebook is such an amazing platform for connection and collaboration in both personal and professional settings. To me, Facebook encompasses all of the characteristics of a PLN.

What are some ways Facebook tracks data? What are some pros and cons of this?

Facebook does have an algorithm that tracks certain aspects of your account such as accounts you like or who you follow and interact with, and then will recommend you profiles or groups based on that. It uses our data, like many media platforms does, to introduce us to new pages. However, I do not feel that Facebook targets ads as much as apps like Instagram or Tiktok do. From my personal experience I have found that Facebook will recommend groups that are actually quite helpful to me, and not based on selling me products, which I believe serves as an advantage to data tracking. While using data can enhance PLNs through recommending groups, it is very important that they prioritize privacy and data security (View of Networked Privacy, n.d.). Users should be cautious about how much they are choosing to share on platforms such as Facebook. The amount of information that facebook collects is a bit astounding. The Facebook Privacy Policy page states that they collect info from (1) your activity and provided information, (2) your friends information and activity, (3) your app, browser, and device information, and (4) third party information (such as other apps you use). Facebook has a ton of our personal information! Meaning, if Facebook were to experience a data breach- a lot of our info would be at risk. While I do not think we should stop using apps such as Facebook because of this, I think it should be very well known and we should be cautious when using any social media app.

How to build a reputation using Facebook?

As mentioned above, anyone can post on Facebook- which allows for a lot of misinformation. Fake news is everywhere now a days and Facebook is definitely not lacking in that department! A study by CNN found that misinformation gets six times as many clicks compared to factual news (Maruf, 2021). Fake news can come in many different forms, some of it being almost impossible to distinguish (Hirst, 2008)- which is why media literacy is so important. In order to build a positive reputation on Facebook it is important to post reliable, factual information. It is important to stay open to all opinions, even if they make you uncomfortable- as said by Julie Smith. Being consistent, reliable, and respectful with your content is the best way to build a positive reputation via Facebook.

How will you know when your PLN is a success?

Building a reputation on Facebook can be challenging just due to the sheer number of people who use Facebook. I also think it can be hard to visually see how successful your Facebook account is since it seems to be less popular to have ” a lot of followers”, the way it may be on apps like Instagram. However, you can absolutely still achieve a success PLN using Facebook. You will know that your PLN is successful when you achieve whatever your goal was when you started your PLN. One of the first steps I mentioned of creating a PLN is setting a goal- what are you trying to achieve? For me personally, when I joined the babysitting groups my goal was to get a job, once I got a job I considered my PLN to be “successful”. I do not think there is a black and white answer to this question, it really depends on what your intention and goal of the specific PLN is.

Sources

Hirst, M. (2018). Navigating social journalism: A handbook for media literacy and citizen journalism (1st ed.). Routledge. https://doi-org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/10.4324/9781315401263

Facebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/

Maruf, R. (2021). Researchers studying Facebook misinformation say they were deplatformed. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/05/media/reliable-sources-facebook-researchers-deplatform/index.html

Miller, J. (2021, February 7). EDCI 338- A Conversation with Shelley Moore. Youtube, 23:02.  https://youtu.be/YGx0ejnMLVc

Miller, J. (2021, June 6). EDCI 338 – Media literacy with Julie Smith. Youtube, 30:08. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57r3-aEnci0

What is Instagram? 

Instagram is a social media platform that many use on a daily basis. Instagram can be used to connect with others as well as post photos/videos that individuals want to post. I think that social media can be a great platform to create connections and engage with others. As well, social media is a good tool to create a strong personal learning network (PLN). As we learnt in EDCI 338 the definition of PLN is: “A network of trusted connections with whom an individual interacts (and learns from) on a regular basis – Jane Heart” (Gutierrez, n.d). Many influencers use Instagram to post their content and show their followers what they are up to. They use it to show sponsorships or even their own brands. An example I can think of is Kylie Jenner using Instagram to show off her beauty line. She would post her using it and the products so people would want to buy it. 

What features & characteristics of existing media technologies make it effective for personal Learning?

Instagram has many characteristics that make it easy to see what you want to see and engage with others. An example is the function of direct messaging people. Individuals use this tool to personally message people or multiple people and create connections. This is a good tool for setting up a personal learning network as then individuals can scroll through your account.

I personally would set it up in a way that I think others would want to engage in. Post photos that are educational, aesthetically pleasing and just overall posts that are appropriate and will benefit my PLN. Additionally to direct messaging people you can hashtag photos. Individuals hashtag photos so they can share them with similar ones. For example, if I posted a photo of traveling I would hashtag it travel or where that photo was from (such as #travel #Italy) this way, I could see more travel spots and posts about Italy on my feed. 

How can you create a PLN through Instagram?

I think there are many ways individuals can create a PLN through Instagram. As previously mentioned, individuals can direct message others to network and make connections. I have received messages from people saying that I should check out their profile, or if they can use my profile/photo for some artwork. This is them trying to can expand their PLN. It is important to know what you want your PLN to represent before you engage with posting and others. For example, as mentioned previously if you want your PLN to represent travel then it would be important to post travel pictures and engage with others about travel. Additionally, making your account easy to navigate and look good is very beneficial to creating a good PLN.

It is important to be aware of the changes and the new stories that come out on social media. This idea can be described through media literacy. Media literacy explained by Julie Smith (Miller, 2021) is understanding what is happening on the internet. The internet is always changing so it is important to keep updated with these changes. These changes can benefit your PLN so it is important to use them to your advantage. 

You would know that your PLN is working when you are noticing that engagement with others, and people liking your posts. When more individuals comment, like, or direct message you about your profile you know that your PLN is working. Additionally, when you are making connections and feel you are positively networking with others.

Negatives and Positives of a PLN on Instagram 

Even though using social media is a beneficial tool, there are dangers that surround it. These dangers include not knowing who is viewing your post as well as not knowing who you are actually talking with on the internet. It is very easy to communicate with people online, and these people may not be who you think they are. They could be a catfish which is when they pretend to be someone else. Being a social media user you have to be cautious of what you are doing on the platforms you are using. 

There are positives to using Instagram! As mentioned previously it is a good tool to connect with others and see what people are up to. Instagram is used world wide, so this is another positive as you can communicate and make connections with people all across the globe. It is a place where you can post photos/videos that you want to post and keep in touch with others. Overall, when uses correctly Instagram can be a fantastic tool for a personal learning network!! 

References:

Gutierrez, K. (n.d.). What are Personal Learning Networks . https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/personal-learning-networks  

Media Literacy – Facts Matter – Julie Smith – Course YouTube Channel https://youtu.be/57r3-aEnci0

What is Indeed?

Indeed is an online platform that is used primarily to search and find employment opportunities near you. Indeed allows you to post your resume, for employers to see, as well as filter your job searches based on your area, field of expertise, mode of work (i.e.., remote, hybrid, in-person), and salary expectations. When you create an account with Indeed, you can post your resume, and customize your job preferences and qualifications, in order for your job search to be catered specifically to you. Indeed gives suggestions on how to improve your profile, to make it ideal for future employers. Some suggestions even help users to improve their resume, to ensure greater success when applying for jobs. Furthermore, Indeed also provides its users with an interview questions guide, to help ease some of the pressure when you are meeting with a potential employer. All of these features, coupled with company reviews and salary guides help to make Indeed an ideal source for users who are looking to expand their professional careers and connections.

How does Indeed help to enhance/develop your digital identity and reputation?

Indeed helps to enhance your digital identity as it gives you a platform to showcase your past and current qualifications while giving an avenue for employers to reach out and connect with you. In this sense, Indeed allows employees to seek job opportunities, while also allowing employers to reach out and connect with individuals who have the correct qualifications for their position. All in all, it provides users with a way to showcase their professional life in all ways, while enhancing your digital portfolio with the tips and tricks that Indeed provides. By creating an account on Indeed and sharing some of the basic information, such as your resume, qualifications, and your career goals, Indeed can help to showcase these to employers, while keeping your information secure. Users’ professional identity and reputation are able to then flourish through further access to job opportunities and networking through connecting with others.

What are the ways Indeed tracks and uses your data – how can this be used to benefit a PLN?

As mentioned, Indeed primarily uses your data regarding your qualifications and career goals to better curate the jobs that they suggest for you. By making an account and being specific in your personal information, they are able to better broadcast your resume so that it intrigues more employers, while also narrowing down your job search in order to only suggest jobs that are a good fit for you. Additionally, if you have been searching for specific jobs in a particular field, Indeed will often send you similar job postings that come up to help with your job search. You can then select whether you are interested in the job posting or not and Indeed will use this information to further filter your job suggestions. This can benefit your PLN as it will link you with employers that are going to help further your career in the specific field you are interested in. You will no longer waste time sifting through jobs that don’t meet your qualifications or are out of your interest. Rather, you will find opportunities that not only match your interests but also your experience, ensuring that you are golden when it comes time to meet the employer and share your skills!

What are the strengths and weaknesses of privacy for Indeed? How can this affect your PLN?

Indeed is very open about its privacy policies as well as how your information will be used within the platform. All users are able to request the deletion of their personal information, as well as the ability to decide where their information is going (“HR tech privacy”, n.d.). They are also very open about processing users’ data in a manner that keeps their identity safe and secure. Personal data is a key part of the platform as it allows for more opportunities from employers if they are able to readily see your qualifications. As mentioned, sharing the specifics of your qualifications and job searches allows for a more customized job search, saving time in finding the right job for you. Additionally, there are privacy settings for the user, so that they can choose whether their personal information is being shared publicly or privately. For instance, as some resumes contain information regarding the user’s location, users can choose to keep this information private. Ultimately, Indeed gives users the option to share however much information they wish to, while still monitoring to ensure everyone’s information is being shared securely. This being said, there is a bit of give and take with privacy, as there is key information that employers must have access to in order to determine if we are the right candidate for the job. By allowing employers access to this information, it allows for you to network more and gain more connections to various employers, as they are able to see all of the reason’s that you would be a great addition to their team. Furthermore, as Julie Smith taught us (Miller, 2021), it is important, regardless of the platform, to always be questioning what we see on social media and online in general. While Indeed provides a secure platform, we cannot always take all information for what it is and we must be thoughtfully consuming media to ensure our safety and prevent the spread of false information.

Success Stories from Indeed:

Indeed has provided countless individuals with job opportunities, allowing them to grow in a field of interest and become leaders through growing their PLN. As there are so many people who have found success with the help of Indeed, they have provided a page where individuals are able to share their success stories! Below are some of the thousands of success stories that users of Indeed have shared (“Jobs success stories like yours matter, n.d.):

“I would not have known about this job opening if not for all of the time I spent searching for employment on Indeed.” – Jess (Case Manager), June 14, 2023

“This job means I’ll finally be able to stop living paycheck to paycheck. It means that I can start saving for the future and maybe start a family soon.” – Shawn N. (Residential Construction Estimator), June 12, 2023

“I love working in the service industry and I was formally with a competitor spa. When I saw this posting I knew this was going to be my new position. I met with Jenna and I was so excited with her energy and the rest of the staff at the spa. I cannot wait for my first day.” – Emily J. (Sales Associate), June 10, 2023

As seen, Indeed not only provides excellent job suggestions, but it helps users build connections with employers and ultimately find their dream jobs.

How will you know that your PLN is a success?

While employment and finding your dream job can be a process, there are some clear signs that the PLN that you have built on Indeed is becoming successful. First off, your first sign of success will likely be within your job searches. If you have set up your PLN to be reflective of your goals and qualifications, you will likely start to see jobs that are much more relevant being suggested for you. From there, it is important to start applying for jobs that match your needs, which usually can be done right from the Indeed job listing. Even if you do not hear back right away from employers, Indeed often gives the option to send a direct message to the employer, to let them know a little bit more about you and why you would be a good fit for the job. Once you have started to reach out and connect, it will be no time before your PLN is a success and you are connecting with those in your desired field. Personally, I would say that your PLN is a success once you do just this. It is so important to create connections and simply communicate, as this is a form of networking that can lead you to new opportunities that may help you to reach your goals. Thus, I encourage everyone, regardless of whether they have found their dream job or not, to bring about communication and connections with others, as you never know the success it may bring you. After all, that is what your PLN is all about!

References

HR tech privacy. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://hrtechprivacy.com/

Job success stories like yours matter. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://gotajob.indeed.com/

Miller, J. (2021, June 6). EDCI 338 – Media literacy with Julie Smith. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57r3-aEnci0

In today’s digital age, social media has transformed the way we connect, communicate, and learn. Personalized Learning Networks (PLN) serve as a powerful tool for learning through social media. As we have learned throughout the term, a PLN tends to be a self-curated network of individuals, resources, and communities accessible to us 24/7. PLNs’ have changed the opportunities we have and allow for substantial professional and personal development.

For our final project, we decided to utilize the platform we had been given to learn about PLNs, WordPress! Using WordPress, the group was able to connect and collaborate- which are both essential parts of a PLN. The goal of our final project was to investigate different social media platforms and how they act as PLN’s. We chose to look at 5 platforms: (1) Facebook, (2) Indeed, (3) Instagram, (4) TikTok, and (5) Youtube. Each of these platforms have components of the PLN’s that we have been examining this term. We will discuss how to build PLN’s using these specific platforms, how to manage them, and how to properly engage on them for optimal success.

Social media allows us the opportunity for personalized and lifelong learning. Our goal of this website is to make readers understand the importance and impact of PLN’s in our day to day life!

Enjoy! 🙂

Note– All group members collaborated equally when creating this project, we had open communication about the project. We each completed one page of this website, listed below.

Facebook- Alys Grover

Indeed- Delaney Vandale

Instagram- Imogen Murphy

Tik Tok- Grace Chicanot

Youtube- Ella Hundert