PLN diversity and outreach
I would say my PLN is diverse in the sense that I actively participate as a learner and as a teacher through networking. My PLN is a two way street of collaboration and cooperation that embodies both knowledge and creativity. Last weeks V&R maps revealed how my social networks are evenly distributed across the quadrants, and my digital identity has many purposes in terms of professional and personal collaboration. This is how I would define a diverse PLN. Nevertheless, there is room for improvement to diversify my portfolio. I learn from a variety of voices and tend to blend in with the crowd, or remain a listener. I could allocate more time towards personal creativity and development towards a unique online presence.
What does my PLN represent?
My PLN does not extend to many corners of the internet. It is relatively stable in the themes and purposes I utilize. Specifically, the professional side of my PLN that consists of e-mails, peer collaboration on MS teams, career seeking, and university engagement. It is difficult to draw a boundary between my professional and personal PLN’s. They blend together based on the authentic persona I deliver on both sides. I tend to stick with the wisdom that says you shouldn’t post anything you wouldn’t want Grandma to see.
Diversifying my PLN, inclusion, and personal experience
Using a diverse PLN can broaden inclusion through increasing my background and identity to ensure I am able to meet the needs of future employers, students, etc. Inclusion is about building trust and understanding to ensure collaborations can be as effective as possible.
My own experience with inclusion is multifaceted. I have experienced some settings of poor inclusion; for example I had an assignment that required a Microsoft computer, and did not work on a Mac computer. This made it so that everyone with a Mac computer had to book a slot in the computer lab, however it was not open on the weekends. This was poor inclusion because the circumstances for students were made more difficult based on the type of computer they had. On the other hand, there have been instances where inclusion was done really well in the professional setting and professors provided several opportunities for creative approaches to assignments, projects, etc.
Learning outcome of PLN
The learning outcome of my PLN is to be able to reach several different needs and preferences of future employers students, and colleagues. I will ensure diversity through keeping up to date with the latest innovations in networking, and staying educated about the political and social climate of our society.
Major takeaways from content
This weeks content was informative on the topic of PLN diversity and what it means to be inclusive. I solidified my definition and understanding about inclusion. It is imperative to value inclusion in professional and personal work space settings because it creates a sense of belonging and engagement. Inclusion allows everyone to feel heard which is imperative for healthy collaboration and learning. One must feel included, which in turn creates authenticity. The video from this week shed light on how the development of networking has broadened what people can do for a living. There is more room for creativity which has diversified our society as a whole.
