Feature Photo by Merakist on Unsplash
Hello, and welcome to the final synchronous course of our Master of Education (M.Ed.) program – EDCI 568 (Discourse on Social Media for Connected and Personalized Learning).
Social Media and Personalized Learning is a topic that I have engaged with over the past several years through my work at the University of Victoria. This began during the COVID-19 pandemic with EDCI 338 (Social Media and Personalized Learning) and has continued throughout the past year with my sessional work at UVic.
Reframing Social Media: From Entertainment to Educational
Social Media being used for connected and personalized learning is such an interesting topic because, in my experience working with undergraduates on this subject, it is clear that many think social media is not an educational space– but rather a space for entertainment, casual communication, and sharing personal interests. This can overshadow and affect peoples’ understanding of its potential as a tool for connected and personalized learning.
Part of this misunderstanding of the potential of social media platforms comes from the perception that social media is primarily for entertainment, and that the information shared on these platforms is often unverified or lacks credibility. Although this raises valid concerns, as we are at a ‘war’ against misinformation, a strong foundation of digital literacy allows us to use social media platforms to connect with individuals in our fields of interest in ways that might not have been possible otherwise.
Key Takeaway from Jesse Miller
Through my work at the university, another course that I am involved with is EDCI 136 (Digital Literacy). This course shares strong connections with EDCI 338 and EDCI 568. Last week, Jesse Miller joined us for a discussion about digital learning environments, and many aspects of his presentation stood out to me. Some of these are the following:
- We are consistently navigating the challenges posed by misinformation in online environments. The internet is a volatile place for both information and misinformation.
- There are platforms that are increasingly moving away from fact checking and due diligence.
- We need to be mindful of how we use the internet and reflect on our usage while engaging in good dialogue with those who are around us.
- The connected world is changing.
- Expectations
- Constructs of Roles
- We need to share with care and treat others in online environments as you’d expect someone to treat you.
- Not everyone is going to take care of your information online, so we need to be careful about the information we provide others with.
These points are important reminders about the ever changing and evolving online environments that we engage with on a regular basis. We need to ensure that we have the skill set, knowledge, and foundation required to navigate these online environments with care.
Here is different presentation by Jesse Miller that talks about how we engage with technology.
Connections to Social Media and Personalized Learning
When we can engage in online environments respectfully, responsibly, and safely, it opens doors and avenues for us to be able to take advantage of the full potential of online learning communities. We need to be able to find online learning content, engage with relevant materials, and reflect on our interests to personalize our learning online. There is immense potential in supporting our learning online, but to be successful, we need to reflect on our intentions.