September 14th – 19th

What does it mean to network using social media?

Networking is essentially the act of human connection. It involves relating to others and making connections with people around you. Networking using social media is making a connection with somebody through the use of an online platform that facilitates this interaction (Rajagopal et al., 2012). Networking using social media is done when gathering, communicating, creating, and sharing information with a group of people using a social media platform. Examples of platforms that support this are LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter (Gutierrez, 2016). When networking using social media, it may mean adding “connections” on LinkedIn. These connections are people that someone has worked with, attended school with, or knows through others. Their information is shared, and people can react to their posts, message with them to create a connection or maintain one, and view information that they are sharing with their network (FutureLearn, n.d.).

How do people learn & engage using mediated platforms?

People learn and engage using mediated platforms in a variety of ways through connection. The use of mediated platforms has had an effect on how we communicate, study, and work together. Mediated platforms allow people to learn and engage through video sharing, gaming networks, forums, and online communities (FutureLearn, n.d.). Mediated platforms provide learning and engagement by creating an environment where people, information, devices, and services are connected (FutureLearn, n.d.). Learning is done using these platforms. The user learns what it is they want to learn more about and is able to customize the platform to focus on those specific areas (Rajagopal et al., 2012). People engage with the mediated platforms by using the vast resources that people provide on these sites. Social networking platforms give learners the ability to enhance communication, remain in touch with people, and find information on people using search functions (Gutierrez, 2016).

How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?

People are motivated to participate in networked publics because it enables connection between people, devices, information, and services. The networked publics are able to be customized to learn in times, at locations, and through methods that the user controls (FutureLearn, n.d.). We are motivated to participate in networked publics as they support the development and growth of individuals. Motivation arises from the ability to seek support, information, and resources when they are needed (Rajagopal et al., 2012). One of the key reasons to participate in networked publics is because they provide the ability to facilitate conversation between people. This is beneficial to individuals as well as from an organizational perspective because it is an enabler of knowledge creation.

What are the risks & rewards of public communications?

One of the risks that is potentially the most important to recognize is privacy and consent. The control of the information that is used on public communications is often not held in the user’s hands (Boyd, 2012). Often times, users do not know what it is they are consenting to because of the long, jargon filled “Terms and Conditions” that they confirm they have read and understood. Often times this is not the case, people skim over without critically thinking about what personal information may be shared and how it impacts them (Boyd, 2012). The advancements in technology has created a world that is pattern oriented, the systems being used are designed to be highly addictive. The information that is seen is designed to target a specific demographic in such a way that it resonates with them due to the parallels they see in their own lives (Boyd, 2012). Based on observation, people often feel that they are in control of what they are seeing, although in reality, it is the platform being used that controls the algorithm and therefore the information.
Potentially the most prominent reward of public communications is that people and organizations are able to effectively connect with each other. The ability to stay up to date on important information is rewarding. Public communications provide a stream of learning, resources, and methods of thinking about topics that are of importance (Rajagopal et al., 2012). One is able to start conversations with others to expand their thinking through active discussion and acquire expert advice through the sharing of information.

 

References

Boyd, D. (2012). Networked Privacy. Surveillance & Society 10(3/4): 348-350. http://www.surveillance-and-society.org ISSN: 1477-7487

FutureLearn. (n.d.). What is a Personal Learning Network (PLN)? Retrieved September 14, 2020, from https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/learning-network-age/0/steps/24644

Gutierrez, K. (2016). What are Personal Learning Networks? Retrieved September 22, 2020, from https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/personal-learning-networks

Rajagopal, K, Joosten–ten Brinke, D, Van Bruggen, J, and Sloep, P. (2012) Understanding personal learning networks: Their structure, content and the networking skills needed to optimally use them,  First Monday, Volume 17, https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/download/3559/3131