How diverse is your existing PLN?
I think in my current learning process, although I have tried to expand to make my PLN more diversified, there is no significant extension of PLN. Nowadays, although I use social apps to share my life, I am still very afraid of exposing too much of my personal information on the Internet, so I will try to avoid communicating my thoughts with my friends on social apps. Although my V&R map shows that I have diversified apps, actually very few of them are applied to learning.
In your PLN, are you learning from a variety of voices or are you the loudest in the room？
In my PLN, I prefer to listen to other people’s voices because I am not an egotistical person. But I also have my own subjective judgment. If I think other people’s suggestions are better, I will listen to them, but not in a blind manner.
Do you participate in a silo of information sharing (similar themes or wide range of interests)?
I like to share my opinions and experiences on social apps. I share my travel photos and daily life on Instagram, but I have set restrictions. Only my friends can view my Instagram because sharing it with strangers will make me feel a little shy. Meanwhile, I am also afraid that some people on the Internet that I don’t know will leave me messages because I don’t know how to reply to them.
In your professional setting of choice, do you think inclusion is actively embraced?
I think inclusion is actively embraced because I am an international student from China. Throughout my study, I need to cooperate with other students to finish our project. Therefore, I think inclusion is really important in our team. If you want to successful in a course, you must keep a good relationship with your classmate.
What is the learning outcome of your PLN and how are you ensuring your exposure to diversity and inclusion?
I think PLN can make my study easier, and students can learn knowledge even if they stay at home. I can also share my views with more people so that learning has no geographical and language limitations. It also helps me know more people coming from different countries. At the same time, we can better understand the cultures of different countries so that I can better respect the culture of other countries. More radical actions can also be avoided if there is a dispute on the internet. It gives each party time to calm down.
How can you use a diverse PLN to broaden your views of inclusion?
On the Internet, I can learn more about the cultures of different countries, also I can make more friends. It is very important to learn, understand, and respect the cultures of different countries. Learning on the Internet can make me learn in a more convenient manner. I can stay at home and use my mobile phone or computer to learn. But I still need to consider how to connect the network with reality because I want to make more friends.
How has your thinking about inclusion and PLN evolved after reviewing the videos and readings?
Everyone’s ideas are unique. Only by communication can different ideas be merged to develop better ideas. Putting yourself in other’s positions when thinking is good for better communication. Everyone may come from different countries with different beliefs. Therefore, PLN can help us learn in a better way.
Hi Qing,
Thank you for sharing your post. I feel very resonate after reading the content. I agree with the experience of being an international student in a vibrant environment. My new thinking after reading your post is one will need to respect cultural differences. And it helps with building inclusion in our current learning process.
HI Qing, I also like to share my views and experiences on social apps, but I prefer to share my daily life. I would very much hope that more people will get to know me and become friends with me.
I agree with this view “In my PLN, I prefer to listen to other people’s voices because I am not an egotistical person. But I also have my own subjective judgment.” I think people who know how to listen to others’ opinions are those who are socially superior.