EDCI 338!

Introduction

Hi everyone! My name is Ella Meldrum, and I am going into my fourth year of the Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Sociology and minoring in Education. My educational journey started when I first knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. This started in grade 4 when I had a teacher who I saw as a mentor. That was the year I discovered my passion for becoming an elementary teacher. I started at Concordia University in Edmonton for two years before moving to Victoria to complete my Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. My next step is to apply for the PDPP program and become an elementary teacher!

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

Social Media and Its Role in Education

Social Media has influenced my ability to connect with others and learn in different ways. I have used social media in many different projects to create videos, photos, blogs, and posts that have introduced or taught a specific topic; for example, I have created a video to teach a topic through the idea of microlearning for a quick and easy way for individuals to understand the basics of the topic I am introducing. Social media has affected my learning and connection with others in both positive and negative ways, which relates to the ideas from the PowerPoint presentation “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” which I have personally experienced within learning through social media, for example getting distracted by looking at posts, or the cyberbullying in trying to connect with others, and your thoughts being made fun of online. I have also had positive experiences with group members that I have created close relationships with, which have made my learning and connecting with others through social media a good experience. This links into the challenges of using social media for educational purposes, where having so many different platforms of social networks, as discussed in the Indeed Article Different Types of Social Media that outline each of the other social network or media sharing networks benefits for learning, these can be challenging to understand and can lead to misinformation and cause distraction, as I have personally experienced. 

Photo by Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash

Personalized Learning and Digital Literacies

Personalized learning keeps individuals motivated, and it is essential to create social networks through online spaces in order to help each other learn. Personalized learning enables individuals to explore content in ways that best suit their learning styles and preferences, ensuring they understand the concepts being taught. The video and article “What is a PLN” are part of personalized learning, serving as a tool for “Lifelong Learning” by facilitating networks of people and devices that help individuals access and utilize helpful resources. According to Understanding and Developing Digital Literacy, Digital literacy is essential in today’s world because there is so much misinformation online that it is crucial to know and understand how to decipher the fake and real information that is online. It is also essential to know how to use technology effectively, particularly in light of the emergence of new AI tools and the biased videos and articles. Personalized learning keeps me motivated because it gives me a form of freedom with how I learn. For example, I have always learned better through real-life interactions and hands-on activities. I recall a teacher who gave students the option to choose between activities, watching a video, or reading, and it stuck with me. Having a choice gave me some control over my learning process. I learned what style of learning worked best for me and was easiest for me to understand. An example of a time I realized the importance of digital literacy was in middle school when I discovered that anyone could edit Wikipedia. This realization came after I learned the hard way from one of my teachers.

Photo by Firmbee on Unsplash

Digital Identity and Online Presence

I manage my digital identity by understanding what I post and share online, as it’s visible to everyone and represents who I am. In my educational life, I ensure that the forums or discussions I write are written in academic and respectful language. Additionally, when commenting on others’ posts, I strive to do so in a respectful manner that reflects my character and overall online presence as positive. To maintain a positive online presence, I consider the content I share before posting it publicly. In professional settings, I use academic language and present myself professionally. This is important because any post I make without careful consideration or understanding could lead to mistakes that prevent me from getting specific jobs.

Navigating and Using Online Platforms Ethically

I have had many experiences with learning new digital platforms for both school and work; I had to learn how to use brightspace when I first got into UVIC, and it was nothing like I was used to, so I had to make sure I sat down and understood where the information I needed was and how I would navigate around this new platform. Watching short tutorial videos helped me figure out how to navigate. With every platform comes a different level of responsibility, which means understanding how it works and using it appropriately, and making sure to be mindful about what I share through that new platform because what I say could be shared publicly or personal information could be exposed, which is why it is essential to be aware about what you share online, especially on a platform that you may be unfamiliar with.

References

Cambridge University Press & Assessment. (2022, April 7). Understanding and developing digital literacy. World of Better Learning: ELT Blog https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/04/07/understanding-developing-digital-literacy/

FutureLearn. (n.d). What is a Personal Learning Network (PLN)! In Learning in the Network Age. FutureLearn. https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/learning-network-age/0/steps/24644

Indeed Editorial Team. (2025, June 6). What are the different types of social media? 10 Key types. Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/types-of-social-media

U of G Library. (2021, August 17). What is Digital Identity? Youtube. https:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGV5OBa938I