What does it mean to network using social media?
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Networking using social media means that we are more well equipped than ever to build beneficial networks of connections for ourselves to serve our personal and professional interests. Social media allows us to easily maintain these connections and to then activate them as desired (Rajagopal, Joosten-ten Brinke and Van Bruggen). Being on the internet and on specific social media platforms however also means that we make informed decisions about what to post and share (Boyd) and that we understand what will ultimately happen to our online ādataā. To develop an engaging presence online and readership, however requires a great deal of active participation and vulnerability.
How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?
We are motivated to participate in networked publics by the advantages that being a part of such networks provide. Being situated amidst a well constructed PLN puts one in an advantageous position to keep up to date in oneās professional industry and learn continuously. PLNs also provide ease of collaboration, allow for broader connection and collaboration as well as allow for opportunities and resources to be utilized that could not otherwise be accessed. An effective PLN is a resource we can turn to for information, advice, and answers (Gutierrez). Our connections should suit our personal and professional interests. Our interests can be dynamic, which can cause the structure of our PLNs to change overtime (Rajagopal, Joosten-ten Brinke and Van Bruggen).
What are the risks & rewards of public communications?
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Some of the risks that come with being involved in public communication include privacy concerns as well as possible damage to oneās reputation, if individuals are not cautious about the types of content that they are posting online. In a world that is more connected than ever thanks to social media and other networks, the āimplications of privacyā (Boyd), can often extend ābeyond the individualā (Boyd). Hence why it is now common practice for example that entire organizations as well as individual employees agree to abide by privacy acts such as FIPPA, PIPA for example, so that confidential information not to be distributed online is not accidentally shared with the public. Oneās personal information and data however that does not fall under such legislation can be more difficult to protect. People do not always have the agency, knowledge, and skills to control information or to make informed decisions about what should be shared with whom (Boyd). As well, when individuals sign up to use a specific service, they may not be aware of what personal data they are signing away upon agreeing to the terms and conditions of website, which is why some have suggested it may be more prudent to move to a privacy āmodel that focuses on [the] usage and interpretationā of data (Boyd).
Some of the rewards of being a part of public communications can include the ability to grow social capital by expanding oneās network, the ability to learn from oneās connections as well as the opportunities that may arise from being strategically connected. Such a network when it is used to support an individualās learning and professional development can be referred to as a āPersonal Learning Networkā (PLN). The ability to construct an effective PLN is a skill to behold. A PLN can be made up of āpeers, coworkers, supervisors, experts, and other professionalsā (Gutierrez). A PLN can also include websites, blogs and social media. The connections formed to others in a PLN can generally be characterized as being either strong, weak, or very weak. There is something valuable to be gained from every type of connection as such. Strong connections āallow for active collaboration on knowledge creationā (Rajagopal, Joosten-ten Brinke and Van Bruggen), while weaker connections can act as āsources for new information, knowledge and ideasā (Rajagopal, Joosten-ten Brinke and Van Bruggen). Our choice in who is to be a part of our PLN depend on a variety of factors. Some common deciding factors include commonality, benevolence, like-mindedness, real potential for collaboration and learning as well as factors relating to the professional environment one is situated within, such as trends.
References
Boyd, Danah. “Networked Privacy.” Surveillance & Society, 22nd December 2012. Web.
Gutierrez, Karla. What are Personal Learning Networks? 21st June 2016. 18th January 2021.
Rajagopal, Kamakshi, et al. “Understanding personal learning networks: Their structure, content and the networking skills needed to optimally use them.” First Monday (2012). Web.
Hi Rachelle,
I just read your post and I must say that I really appreciate the thorough answers that you provided to the questions, especially question three. Invasion of privacy has become a critical topic in the realm of social media, which poses a challenge to us as users. I really appreciate the point you raised that when people sign up for a specific online service, they risk leaking their personal information without awareness. From what I read online, this is tru across the social media platforms that we use the most frequently. It is common practice for social media giants to sell our personal data to other agencies, for analytical purposes, personalized and targeted advertisements and other purposes. In my opinion, although we risk leaking our personal information on social platforms, these social media giants pose a far more significant threat to the safety of our personal information. You did a great job of pointing that out!
Hi Rachel,
I enjoyed this cohesive , well thought out post. I truly agree with the idea of how an effective “PLN is a resource we can turn to for information, advice, and answers and that our connections and interests can be dynamic, thus causing the structure of our PLNs to change overtime.” Using both our weak and strong ties to others’ can really allow us to change the way in which we access or share knowledge through our PLN. In other words, our PLN can change as much as we do and be as dynamic as we need it to be at that time. I love this idea because it give us absolute ownership over what we choose to engage in and supports our personal and social interests and needs in the present, as well as in the future.
Good introduction points Rachelle, specifically this “rewards of being a part of public communications can include the ability to grow social capital by expanding oneās network, the ability to learn from oneās connections as well as the opportunities that may arise from being strategically connected.” Great start!
Well written Rachelle! I like your statement about the rewards of public communication, “grow social capital by expanding oneās network, the ability to learn from oneās connections as well as the opportunities that may arise from being strategically connected.” It’s very clear and thoughtful.
Hi Rachelle! I enjoyed reading your post, it is a fantastic synthesis of the readings from this week.
“To develop an engaging presence online and readership, however requires a great deal of active participation and vulnerability.” I think this is a compelling inference. The ingredients of makes a social media persona/identity ‘click’ in a networking sense, in a physical click of a button sense “can’t get enough, I must click this.” and in the emotional/connective way. I wonder if there is research that explores traits and readership.
You quoted, “People do not always have the agency, knowledge, and skills to control information or to make informed decisions about what should be shared with whom (Boyd).” This is also a fascinating topic in terms of young social media users and repercussions of maybe inevitable learning moments on a, potentially, world stage.
Hi Rachelle,
I really enjoyed reading your take on PLN and social media. You made such a strong point about the risk of public communication that can “damage oneās reputation’. In some situations, people do not have control over taking down content that is affecting their reputation. People need to be careful of what is shared, where it is shared and who it is shared with. Though public communication has so many benefits and an open platform shared with millions of people, we still need to be cautious of what we post online. And bringing attention to this risk can enable people to become more aware and knowledgeable of how to handle their social media content.
I look forward to engaging with you again,
Asha