Hi Yuxin. Thank you for sharing your ideas! I liked your answer regarding the problems with using social media in the classroom. I definitely agree that one of the downsides to using social media in a classroom is the lack of in-person interactions, leading to distractions during lectures – texting, family, social media, etc. We saw this at the beginning of the pandemic when we switched to online learning; it became difficult for students to stay focused during lectures. I also do agree that online class discussions lack the same communication as face-to-face discussions. Perry and Edwards (2009) mention that the best way to learn online is by reducing social distance by mimicking proximity in an online course. An excellent way that teachers do this is by using breakout rooms on Zoom where students can turn their microphone or camera on, which is similar to face-to-face discussions in the classroom.
Hi Kate. I enjoyed reading your post. I thought you made an important point about the benefits and downsides of using a PLN. I agree that a PLN can help spread information within a community. As Brad Baker mentioned in our weekly discussion, having a PLN has helped Indigenous voices to be heard regarding truth and reconciliation (MILLER, 2021). Having a PLN to reach out to also allows us to create deeper connections, develop new ideas, and learn from them. I also like that you mentioned that the meaning changes once these conversations go beyond the original community. We also see this on social media when it becomes difficult to identify where the original source comes from. Many individuals are resharing or changing the same information, leading to misleading content. Thank you for sharing!