Blog 7

Community engagement and diverse PLN

The content this week discussed how modern day media in the form of public broadcasting has diversified the content that people interact with. This is unprecedented in the way that for the first time ever the public media is both for and by the public (cite).  The benefits of this include diverse perspectives and information that is written and received from several different sources, and the subsequent events that follow increased diversity. There is a lot of information at our finger tips, and it is sourced from a wide range of perspectives from people with different backgrounds, ethnicities, races, socioeconomic status, and more. This can be looked at in a positive way because it enables for light to be shed on important aspects of society that are in need of reform or acknowledgement.

The reading made an interesting point about how online learning networks begin individuals coming in as participants and leaving as members of a public (cite). This is an important aspect of engagement in public communications because these platforms lead to the evolution of problem solving and forming connections.

The video discussed the importance of community, and how important it is for individuals to feel connected with a community. PLN’s are beneficial in the way that they allow for this sense of community to develop and flourish. The wide range of perspectives and contributions to the online world enables many communities to form. This circles back to the importance of diversity and how it interacts with PLN’s. Something we can do as students, and as contributing members of society, is to amplify and share the voices that support diverse perspectives.

Looking at our guest's network

I looked at our guest; Markiel Simpson, in the eyes of social media and his community involvement. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of political involvement Simpson has with regards to anti-racism and his position as the representative for lower mainland BC NDP Indigenous black and people of color committee.

Simpson is an example of how individuals can branch out and expand their PLNs with the intentions of bringing attention to important conversations and events. Simpson does this on several platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. He also uses hashtags to create traffic on his content. Simpson has a strong presence online, and he uses his influence as a leverage for bringing attention to important social justice issues that are intended to make the world a better place.

Jansen, S. C., Pooley, J., & Taub-Pervizpour, L., 1967. (2011). Media and social justice (1st ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

Miller, J. (2021, June 1). EDCI – 338 Markiel Simpson. YouTube. Retrieved October 29, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsoDHGaXNNs.