Definition of PLN Personal Learning Network (PLN) is a network composed of individuals, resources, and tools designed to support individuals’ learning and growth. It obtains information, knowledge, and feedback through various channels such as social media, online communities, professional organizations, colleagues, and friends, helping individuals to continuously learn and improve.
In my life, my Personal Learning Network (PLN) has played a significant role in my learning and growth. For example, I am very interested in nail art, but when I first started learning, I felt overwhelmed by the vast array of tools and designs. By building and utilizing my PLN, I gradually found a learning path that suited me and made significant progress.
I joined several online communities related to nail art, such as the nail art sections on Bilibili and REDnote. On these platforms, I frequently browse tutorials, design shares, and discussions from others. Through these communities, I not only learned many practical techniques but also gained access to a continuous stream of design references.
Additionally, I follow individual nail artists and training institutions on REDnote and Instagram. They often share their experiences, the latest trends, and tutorials. For instance, one nail artist shared a post about the appropriate speeds for different tasks when using a nail drill, which helped me avoid many pitfalls while learning nail art techniques. I also noticed that when a well-known nail artist posts their work and receives many requests for tutorials, they often release a tutorial shortly after.
Seeking feedback is also crucial. During my learning process, I often share my work on my own account or in the comments of others’ posts to seek feedback. Once, I posted a French manicure I had done in the comments section of a nail art-related post and asked for suggestions on how to improve. Several experienced nail artists provided advice, helping me refine my painting techniques and improve the precision of my work.
By building and utilizing my PLN, I have not only mastered the core skills of nail art but also connected with friends who are also learning and industry experts. My PLN has made my learning journey less lonely, allowing me to grow alongside learners and experts worldwide. It has become an indispensable part of my life.
Building and Maintaining Meaningful Connections
Building a strong PLN is a gradual process that requires dedication and regular engagement.
First, I need to stay active by regularly posting and interacting on social media. I share my learning progress, finished works, or industry insights to attract like-minded individuals. Sharing unique perspectives and ideas helps showcase my professional skills and aesthetic sense. This not only helps build a personal brand but also attracts more potential clients who may reach out to me proactively. Keeping up with trends is also essential. By staying informed about fashion trends and the latest aesthetic developments, I can share relevant information in a timely manner. This ensures that my skills remain up-to-date and I don’t fall behind.
The Role of Social Media in Learning, Academics, and Career
Social media has a significant impact in academic and professional environments. We can leverage social media to enhance learning, support career development, and seize new opportunities.
Through social media, I can easily access the latest academic resources and industry updates, such as how to use new products and industry pricing trends. Social media is a crucial platform for building professional networks. I actively post my work on REDnote, share professional experiences, and establish connections with potential customers or collaborators. Social media also provides opportunities to participate in various nail art-related activities. For example, some nail art professionals host live lectures and demonstrations on social media. By actively engaging in these activities, I can improve my aesthetic sense and technical skills.
By actively engaging in social media, I am able to fully leverage my PLN, expand the dissemination of information, enhance interactions, and establish and maintain meaningful connections. Social media has played a pivotal role in enhancing learning, supporting professional development, and providing new opportunities for engagement, making it an indispensable tool in both my academic and career growth.
In this post, I’m gonna talk about Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Personal Leaning Network (PLN), and share some of my own experiences.
PLN Spaces Through Social Media
What is PLN? Check the short video blow ⬇️⬇️
So basically, PLN is a connected network that supports your personal and professional growth, such as Youtube, X, instagram, and etc.
For me, due to language barriers, in order to efficiently utilize social media to build a PLN (Personal Learning Network) space, my primary choice is to establish it within the Chinese internet environment. The social media platform I use most frequently is Bilibili. Bilibili is primarily video-based, covering various fields such as learning, entertainment, technology, and lifestyle, making it suitable for learning and interaction through videos.
The appearance of Bilibili app
When using Bilibili for PLN, I can follow UP主 (content creators) related to my interests or professional fields, such as dance, design, language learning, and drama analysis. Bilibili also offers many free, high-quality learning resources, including open courses, tutorials, and skill-sharing. Danmu (bullet comments) interaction is a standout feature of Bilibili. Users can communicate with other viewers in real time through Danmu, asking questions or sharing insights. Additionally, I personally engage in content creation and sharing. I have created and uploaded game guides on Bilibili, attracting many players of the game to discuss in the Danmu and comment sections.
Developing my PLN on Bilibili has been immensely beneficial. The video content on Bilibili is typically longer, making it suitable for in-depth learning. The user base on Bilibili is young and active, making it easy to find like-minded individuals. Most importantly, many high-quality learning resources are completely free, reducing the cost of learning.
Privacy, Ethics, and Security in Digital Spaces
While being proficient in using a PLN can bring us many benefits, it is crucial to always pay attention to privacy, ethics, and security in the digital space, as they are key to protecting personal information and promoting respectful online interactions. Below are some important points I have summarized on how to protect online information and adhere to ethical guidelines, as well as why these practices are essential for creating a safe and trustworthy digital environment.
Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication. Set complex and unique passwords for all accounts, and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to enhance security.
Limit Information Sharing. Avoid sharing sensitive personal information, such as your address, phone number, or financial details, on social media and other platforms.
Regularly Review Privacy Settings. Ensure that the privacy settings on social media and online services align with your needs, restricting strangers from accessing your personal information.
Be Vigilant Against Phishing. Avoid clicking on unfamiliar links or downloading attachments, especially from unknown senders in emails or messages.
Respect Others’ Privacy. Do not share others’ personal information or content without permission, and respect their digital boundaries.
Avoid Spreading Misinformation. When posting content or interacting with others, refrain from disseminating false or misleading information.
Prevent Cyberbullying. Avoid participating in or supporting any form of online harassment, hate speech, or bullying behavior.
Respect Intellectual Property. When using content created by others, always credit the source and obtain authorization to avoid copyright infringement.
Promote Positivity. Spread positive energy in the digital space, support constructive discussions, and help create a friendly online environment.
The Importance of These Practices
By protecting online information, we can prevent identity theft, data breaches, and other cybercrimes, ensuring personal safety. Adhering to ethical guidelines helps build a trustworthy online reputation and promotes healthy digital interactions. Everyone’s behavior impacts the security of the entire digital space. Through responsible actions, we can reduce online threats and the spread of harmful content. A safe and trustworthy digital environment encourages more people to participate in online learning and collaboration, driving technological progress and social development.
In summary, protecting online information and following ethical guidelines are not only individual responsibilities but also key to maintaining the health of the entire digital ecosystem. Through these practices, we can collectively create a safe and trustworthy digital environment where everyone can freely learn, communicate, and grow.
Inclusivity and UDL in PLNs
Ensuring that Personal Learning Networks are inclusive means creating a network environment that respects and values different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds.
I think we should first value diverse participants. We can proactively invite people from different backgrounds, cultures, and professional fields to join my PLN, ensuring diverse perspectives in the network. Then, it is important to respect the opinions of others in interactions, listen carefully to different voices, and avoid prejudice and discrimination.
Also, we need to provide multiple ways for people with different learning preferences and abilities to participate, such as text, video, audio, or interactive discussions, and try to use simple and clear language to avoid cultural bias and ensure that the content is easy for everyone to understand. Finally, regularly solicit feedback from PLN members, understand their needs, and adjust the network construction method based on feedback. I believe that this approach can greatly enhance the inclusiveness of the PLN we have established.
How Universal Learning Design (UDL) principles support inclusivity
The UDL principle aims to meet the needs of different learners through diverse designs.
Applying UDL principles in digital learning spaces can provide diverse content and activity formats (such as videos, articles, discussions, and games) to attract learners with different interests. It allows learners to choose content based on their own pace and interests, enhancing engagement. Additionally, it can offer tools like subtitles, speech-to-text, and screen readers to support learners with special needs. For example, I really enjoy YouTube’s auto-translate feature for subtitles. This way, even if the original video doesn’t provide subtitles in multiple languages, I can adjust the subtitle language myself to better understand the video content.
The Importance of an Inclusive PLN
Diverse perspectives and experiences can stimulate innovative thinking, driving both personal and collective growth. An inclusive environment ensures that every member feels respected and valued, encouraging more active participation in learning and interaction. By meeting the needs of diverse learners, an inclusive PLN can enhance learning outcomes and satisfaction. At the same time, it provides equal opportunities for everyone, reduces the digital divide, and promotes social equity.
Diversity in digital learning is crucial as it ensures equal educational opportunities for learners from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. In modern educational environments, students come from different socio-economic backgrounds, cultures, languages, and skill levels, and digital learning platforms have the potential to eliminate many barriers that exist in traditional educational methods. However, without focusing on inclusivity and diversity, digital learning platforms may exacerbate inequality and exclude certain groups.
Measures to promote a more inclusive digital environment:
Improve accessibility. Ensure that the platform and content comply with accessibility standards, such as providing subtitles, speech recognition, screen reader compatibility, etc., to assist learners with hearing or visual impairments.
Multi language support. Provide multilingual learning materials and interfaces to assist non-native learners, especially those studying in a globalized environment.
Cultural sensitivity. When designing courses and materials, it is important to respect and reflect multiple cultures, avoid cultural biases, and ensure that learning content is inclusive for students from different backgrounds.
Personalized learning experience. Implementing personalized learning through technology, adjusting content according to students’ learning progress, interests, and needs, and helping each student learn at their own pace.
Diversified textbooks and representativeness. Ensure that the teaching content, images, and examples cover representatives of various races, genders, ages, and backgrounds, avoiding a singular perspective.
Provide support and resources. Provide additional support for students with special needs, such as tutoring, mental health resources, and learning strategies, to help them overcome challenges.
Inclusive design and feedback mechanism. Ensure that digital learning platforms are designed to consider the needs of different groups and regularly collect and analyze feedback to improve user experience and address potential barriers.
Through these measures, a more inclusive, equal, and diverse digital learning environment can be created, allowing all learners to fully unleash their potential and achieve success.
Regarding the distinction between personal and professional digital identities, I’d like to share some of my own experiences. For me, personal digital identity represents my online presence in a way that reflects who I am to the people I know in real life—family, friends, classmates, etc. The content I share here tends to mirror my personality and real-world experiences. On the other hand, professional digital identities are typically curated to focus on specific fields and cater to a particular audience.
To maintain a clear boundary between my personal and professional digital identities, I use separate accounts. For instance, I have two Instagram profiles: one for my personal life and one for my cosplay work. The account that showcases my daily life serves as my personal digital identity, giving a glimpse into my hobbies, weekend activities, favorite foods, and other personal moments. Meanwhile, my cosplay account is dedicated to sharing photos of my cosplay projects.
I decided to create a separate account for my cosplay content for two main reasons: first, I want to connect with people who share similar interests, and second, I don’t want everyone I know in real life to see my cosplay photos, as their reactions could lead to discomfort or unwanted comments.
Separating personal and professional digital identities is crucial—it helps protect your privacy, minimizes the risks of blending personal and professional lives, and ensures that personal content or behaviors don’t negatively impact your professional image. This boundary helps maintain a clear distinction and allows each aspect of your identity to thrive independently.
Digital Visitor and Resident Map
The concepts of “digital visitors” and “digital residents” reflect the different ways people interact with the internet. Digital visitors are individuals who primarily use digital tools occasionally, and their online activities tend to be short-term, without the intention of establishing long-term digital identities. In contrast, digital residents are those who have a continuous presence and active participation in cyberspace, creating digital footprints across various platforms and engaging deeply in social, learning, or professional activities.
Personally, I lean more towards being a “digital resident” as I actively engage in social media and gradually build my online presence. I have long-term interactions on platforms such as Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, and Douyin, where I share both personal experiences and professional insights. Over time, I’ve realized that as my online interactions increase, my digital footprint expands as well, which makes it necessary for me to be more mindful of managing my online identity. As a digital resident, my personal and professional identities may become more intertwined, requiring careful strategies to maintain a balance across both.
Theories of Personalized Learning
Personalized learning theories, such as constructivism and self-directed learning, have profoundly shaped my understanding of education by emphasizing the need to adapt learning to individual needs and interests. Reflecting on my personal learning experience, I spent most of my time in China before eighth grade, where I found that Chinese high schools severely lack personalized learning opportunities for students. The system forces everyone to follow the same curriculum in the same way, solely for the purpose of preparing for the college entrance exam, which I feel is quite dehumanizing.
Constructivist theory, which asserts that knowledge is built through active participation and experience, resonates with me because I prefer learning through practical application and problem-solving. Whether through projects or hands-on activities, I feel more engaged when I can establish a personal connection to the content I’m learning.
Self-directed learning has further empowered me by increasing my autonomy. In my chosen major, Theatre, my focus is largely self-directed. I can select the learning content, methods, and timing based on my personal goals, granting me greater control over my academic journey. This not only boosts my motivation but also nurtures a sense of responsibility. These approaches have influenced my academic objectives, inspiring me to pursue challenges that align with my interests and long-term aspirations, which will also shape my future career plans. The flexibility and personalization in my learning process make it far more engaging and meaningful.
Privacy, Surveillance, and Digital Footprint Awareness
Nowadays, many websites and apps allow us to view our historical online footprints at any time. This has made me realize that every online action—whether it’s posting on social media or browsing websites—leaves behind a trace. This awareness has encouraged me to be more mindful of the information I share and the platforms I use. For example, I regularly review the privacy settings on my social media accounts to avoid oversharing personal details and carefully choose which websites I visit, especially when sensitive information is involved.
It’s crucial to be aware of privacy and surveillance, as our digital behavior can be monitored and tracked, and this data may be used for purposes we didn’t anticipate. Protecting my digital footprint is about controlling personal information and maintaining my reputation both online and offline. I believe it’s essential to use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible (though, I admit, I sometimes feel lazy to do so, I still highly recommend it). Additionally, I carefully select the apps and services I grant access to my personal data. I also avoid engaging in sensitive activities on public Wi-Fi networks. These habits help me proactively manage my digital footprint, ensuring the security of my information and privacy.
My name is Valen Xu. I’m 21 years old. I’m an international student come from Beijing, China, and I speak mandarin as my first language. My major is Theatre, self-directed focus. I mainly participate in some costume and design related work. My expected graduation time is the summer of 2026. It is my third year of university this year. For my favorite academic subject, I like the design courses I’m taking right now. I have a lot of hobbies, such as singing, dancing, and drawing. I love musicals and VOCALOID songs very much, and I’m also a super fan of anime, comic, games and cosplay. I believe we can be very good friends if you like them too!
I think I don’t have any experience with social media in education, but I do have some experience with video editing and post. I have my own channel on Bilibili and Douyin (Chinese Tiktok). I use them to post the videos that I made, such as vlog, dance cover, song cover, and musical performance. I hope to learn more systematic social media knowledge, broaden my thinking and horizons, and open up more ideas in this course. I want to become a better video creator.
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