Diverse PLN Benefits
Honestly, having a diverse PLN has changed the way I learn and make progress both personally and professionally. Learning from people with different backgrounds and industries has not only enhanced my learning experience but has also provided me with new ideas and solutions that I would never have thought of on my own. For instance, while creating a themed portfolio for a class, I needed to write a Python script. I learned more about Python on Khan Academy’s official website and practiced there. For questions that I didn’t quite understand, I searched for assistance on YouTube. Videos by software developers explained my concerns very efficiently, deepening my understanding of Python and sparking my interest in data science.
Creating an Inclusive PLN
To ensure my PLN’s inclusiveness, first, I will bring people with different perspectives and knowledge backgrounds together from various places around the world. For example, digital marketing networking should include multiple regions and industries to foster communication in the community. Second, we will hold meetings regularly to discuss industry hot topics and encourage people to share stories and opinions with honesty. We have policies to ensure that all members are respectful, thus creating a constructive environment. Third, I will organize a class within my network for inclusive education, invited speakers who specialize in equity and inclusion to promote the concept.
Social Media Dynamics
The unique features of different social media influence how I interact with others in my PLN. On LinkedIn, I will only keep professional content, such as posting articles related to my major and other interesting disciplines. The videos or articles could be long. On Twitter, I will focus more on interesting short knowledge videos and readings with hashtags. The platform-specific strategy is important to make connections with others efficiently.
Challenges of Inclusivity in Digital Spaces
Building an inclusive digital space could be challenging. Everyone has different perceptions about digital literacy because they are from different regions and hold diverse values. The cultural barriers might cause conflict even when they are not meant to make others uncomfortable. I need to develop strategies to handle this hidden problem. I will recommend technology tools and platforms that are designed with inclusivity and can be easily used by everyone, such as software and websites that support various disabilities. I will also try to share posts and content in multiple languages that can be understood across different cultural backgrounds. I will always check on my own perception to see if I’m aligned with my PLN’s values, which are to be open to different perspectives and prevent biases’ effects on our communication.
