Author: mengyangzhang

Blog Post #9

A personal PLN (Personal Learning Network) can be a huge help in career development and building global relationships. Here are some suggestions on how to engage with business, career opportunities and relationships in a personal PLN and how to take it from the local community to the global community:

In my personal experience, I had three part-time jobs during study time, and I was involved in social networks on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in groups and communities related to my career, interests and areas of expertise, Network and network with other industry insiders. Through these social networks, individuals can access the latest developments, skills and knowledge in the industry, as well as ask questions and seek advice from peers and experts.
I had attend online and offline events, such as attend online and offline events related to your field, such as webinars, forums, workshops, conferences, and community events. These events not only provide an opportunity to meet new people, but also to learn about the latest trends and knowledge within the industry.
Also , continue publish valuable content and share my expertise, experience and insights through blogs, social networks and other online platforms. This not only increases one’s influence, but also provides valuable information and advice to others.
I also establish my personal style, for example through personal websites, resumes, portfolios, social media and other platforms, demonstrate my professional skills and achievements, and establish my own personal image style. This can help me to better demonstrate my value and abilities in my careers, thereby opening up career opportunities.
In this process, an individual’s PLN can play a key role. Through networking and networking, individuals can connect with people from all over the world and expand their horizons and knowledge. At the same time, by focusing on local influences, individuals can also better understand local social, cultural and industry dynamics and benefit in their professional life.

At the same time, my own PLN can also be used to help with professional development after the course. By networking and networking with peers and experts, individuals can learn about the latest industry trends and skill requirements, and receive valuable advice and guidance from them.

In the end, PLN is something that can help open up career opportunities. By connecting with peers and experts, individuals can learn about the latest opportunities and developments in the industry, and showcase their professional skills and achievements to them, so as to obtain opportunities. In addition, an individual’s PLN can also recommend potential job opportunities to them, bringing more choices for an individual’s career.

However, according to the summary of my personal experience, in order to maximize the use of personal PLN, you need to pay attention to the following points:

Maintaining Good Relationships: Building solid contacts and relationships in one’s PLN requires building good relationships of trust and cooperation. Keeping in touch, offering assistance, and responding to each other’s requests are key to maintaining a good relationship.
Focus on quality over quantity: Although it is important to expand your PLN, it is more important to focus on quality than quantity. Connecting and communicating with valuable people can bring greater value and influence to an individual’s career.
Continuous learning and growth: A personal PLN can provide individuals with various learning and growth opportunities, but to maximize these opportunities, individuals need continuous learning and growth to remain competitive and adapt to industry changes.
In conclusion, a personal PLN can be of great help in career development and building global relationships, but to get the most out of it, individuals need to invest time and energy, actively participate in social networking, attend online and offline events, publish valuable content, and connect and network with peers and experts. In these ways, individuals can expand their horizons and knowledge, build reliable contacts and relationships, and bring more opportunities and options to their careers.

Blog Post #8

Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media content. It is an essential skill in today’s digital age where information is abundant, and we are constantly bombarded with different types of media. Media literacy is crucial in helping individuals navigate this vast amount of information and to make informed decisions.

The importance of media literacy lies in its ability to enable individuals to critically evaluate the information they receive. In today’s society, where fake news and propaganda are rampant, it is vital that people can differentiate between factual information and misinformation. Media literacy provides people with the tools to do this, helping them to recognize bias, identify reliable sources, and fact-check information.

Despite its importance, media literacy is often dismissed as a skill that is not necessary. This is partly due to the misconception that media literacy only applies to younger people who are heavily involved in social media. However, media literacy is essential for all ages and is relevant to all types of media, including traditional media such as newspapers, TV, and radio.

In a PLN, individuals can benefit greatly from media literacy skills. Having a variety of views is important, but it is equally important to ensure that the information being shared is accurate and factual. Aiming for a factual consensus means that individuals can have productive and informed discussions, allowing for better decision-making and a deeper understanding of issues.

Open dialogues about media literacy and factual information can sometimes create conflict because people hold different views and opinions. However, these dialogues can also be beneficial in creating a better understanding of the issues at hand. Conflicting views can help to identify biases, question assumptions, and promote critical thinking.

The benefit of having a PLN that values media literacy is that individuals can rely on accurate information and are less likely to be misled by false information or propaganda. This is especially important in today’s digital age, where misinformation can spread rapidly, and people are often targeted with information that reinforces their existing beliefs. A PLN that prioritizes media literacy ensures that individuals have the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the media landscape and make informed decisions. It also provides a platform for individuals to share information, discuss issues, and engage in meaningful dialogues, leading to a better understanding of the world around them.

Week 7- Community Engagement & Your PLN

Social media has become a key tool for professional networking and building a Personal Learning Network (PLN). However, it is important to understand the risks associated with having a public and engaging PLN in the context of employment. Here are some considerations:

Social media engages communications by providing a platform for individuals to share their thoughts and ideas with a global audience. It enables users to connect with others in their industry and engage in conversations, share resources, and collaborate on projects.


Social media also challenges communications by creating a fast-paced and often volatile environment where misinformation can spread quickly. It can be difficult to navigate complex topics and conversations without inadvertently offending or alienating others.


Inclusivity is a crucial aspect of social media engagement. A PLN that is diverse and inclusive can help individuals to broaden their perspectives, learn from others, and build stronger relationships with people from different backgrounds and cultures.


A good PLN should also amplify the views of others, not just the individual. This means sharing content and ideas from other members of the network, providing support and encouragement, and building a sense of community around shared interests and goals.


Employers often have policies in place around social media communications, particularly when it comes to representing the organization online. It is important to understand these policies and adhere to them in order to maintain a professional image and avoid any potential legal or reputational issues.


Finally, to build a strong PLN on social media, it is important to engage with influencers and commentators in the industry. This can involve following thought leaders, participating in Twitter chats, and sharing content from respected sources. By building a network of trusted connections, individuals can stay up-to-date with industry trends and opportunities, and build their professional reputation.

BLOG POST #5 

How would you create a PLN prior to engaging in a social media campaign on a topic of your choice? Consider how you would introduce yourself to others consider how you would engage in initial conversation to generate interest in your campaign professionally.

Creating a PLN (Personal Learning Network) prior to engaging in a social media campaign can be beneficial in expanding your reach and increasing the effectiveness of your campaign. Here are some steps to consider, first identify your target audience:

The first step in creating a PLN is to identify the individuals or groups that are interested in your topic. Research online forums, blogs, and social media groups related to your topic and start following relevant individuals and organizations.

Second, introduce yourself: Once you have identified individuals or groups that are relevant to your topic, introduce yourself and your campaign to them. You can send a message or tweet to introduce yourself, briefly explain your campaign, and ask if they are interested in learning more.

Third, engage in initial conversation: Engage in conversation with your target audience to generate interest in your campaign. You can ask for their opinion on your topic, share interesting articles or insights related to your topic, and ask for their feedback on your campaign.

least but not last, provide value: When engaging with your target audience, provide value to them by sharing information that is relevant and useful. This will help to establish trust and credibility with your audience and increase the chances of them supporting your campaign.

Last, build relationships: Building relationships with your target audience is important for the long-term success of your campaign. Engage in ongoing conversations, ask for feedback, and show appreciation for their support.

Overall, the key to creating a successful PLN is to be genuine and provide value to your target audience. By building relationships and engaging in meaningful conversations, you can generate interest in your campaign and increase your reach on social media.

Blog Post #4 WEEK 5 – PLN in Education

Explore the videos provided and reflect on the themes of a PLN in professional capacity.

The subject matter of a PLN, or Personal Learning Network, can have a significant impact on an individual’s professional competence. I think some of the key themes that come up when discussing PLN include collaboration, community, continuous learning, and personalization.

First, collaboration is a key theme at PLN as it involves connecting with other professionals to share resources, ideas and strategies. By working with others in my field, individuals gain access to a wider range of expertise and perspectives, which helps me develop new skills and improve my practice.

Second, community is another important theme of PLN. By participating in online communities or professional learning networks, I can connect with like-minded people who share my interests and goals. This can create a sense of belonging and support, which is especially valuable for those in remote or isolated settings.

Third, continuous learning is another key theme of PLN. As the field of education continues to evolve, it is imperative that professionals stay abreast of the latest research, trends, and practices. PLN can provide continuous learning and growth opportunities, helping individuals stay current and adapt to changing circumstances.

Finally, personalization is an important theme in PLN. Everyone’s learning needs and goals are unique, and I can tailor PLN to meet those needs. By choosing the right resources, connections, and communities, individuals can more effectively achieve their career goals by tailoring their PLN to their specific interests and areas of focus.

Overall, PLNs can be powerful tools for enhancing an individual’s professional capabilities by providing opportunities for collaboration, community building, continuous learning, and personalization. By actively participating in others’ PLNs, individuals can expand their knowledge, develop new skills, and stay in touch with the latest developments in their field.

Which social media platforms are good for education?

In my opinion, the following are some of the most used and educationally beneficial social media platforms:

Twitter is a microblogging platform popular with educators for its ability to facilitate real-time conversations and connect educators from around the world. Teachers and educators use Twitter to share resources, collaborate on projects, and access professional development opportunities.

Facebook: While primarily for personal use, Facebook also has many education-related groups and pages that are useful for educators. These groups can provide a platform for discussion on education-related topics and can be a valuable source of information and resources.

YouTube: YouTube is a video-sharing platform that educators use to create and share educational videos, tutorials, and other resources. Many educators use YouTube to share their expertise and provide engaging and interactive content to their students. As a cs student, I often watch youtube to learn more computer languages skills, and it works well.

Instagram: Instagram is a visual platform that educators can use to share photos and videos related to their work. This can be a useful tool for sharing classroom activities and projects, as well as showcasing student work. It is worth noting that while these social media platforms are beneficial for education, they also pose some risks and challenges. Educators should be mindful of their digital footprint and take steps to protect their privacy and that of their students.

Additionally, they should be aware of the potential for cyberbullying and harassment on social media and take steps to prevent it. Overall, social media can be a valuable tool for educators, but it should be used with care and awareness.

When working with the vulnerable sector, how does social media fit into professionalism and regulations?

When working with vulnerable groups, social media can present several risks if not managed properly. Therefore, it is important for professionals to consider how social media fits into their profession and regulations.

The first thing to note is privacy. Social media platforms can easily share personal information or inadvertently reveal information about vulnerable groups. Therefore, professionals should be careful about the information they share online and make sure they are not violating any privacy laws or policies.

Another issue is maintaining professional boundaries. Professionals should be cautious about connecting with vulnerable groups on social media platforms, as it can blur the lines between their professional and personal lives. Professionals should also avoid inappropriate conversations or sharing of personal information with clients or their family members. Additionally, there may be specific regulations or guidelines related to the use of social media in the context of working with vulnerable groups. Professionals should familiarize themselves with these regulations and ensure compliance with them.

Overall, social media can be a useful tool for professionals working with vulnerable groups, but it should be used with caution and within the bounds of professional ethics and regulations. Professionals should always prioritize the safety and privacy of the individuals they work with and ensure that their use of social media does not compromise their professionalism or put vulnerable groups at risk.

Blog Post #3 – Share your Visitor & Resident Map with your group.

What digital platforms are students currently using to develop their professional network?

For my personal experience, I had three part-time jobs during university time, and I used linkedin to develop my professional network, where I could create profiles and connect with other professionals, join communities and groups, and find job opportunities. There were lots of internships/coop, part-time and full-time job message postings.

Similar to Linkedin, I have also used: Indeed, a job search platform. I can also create a profile on Indeed, connect with employers and other professionals, and apply for jobs.

Unlike the two above, I can also use social software like Twitter and Slack to connect with industry professionals and thought leaders. I can follow industry-specific hashtags, participate in chats and comments, and interact with professionals in their field.

Overall, there are many digital platforms available for students to use to develop their professional network, and the best platform will depend on their career goals and industry.

What could the student consider in expanding their professional learning network?

Expanding the professional learning network is a cheap and fast platform for students to obtain professional information, which can help students gain new insights, understand different career paths and find new opportunities.

When I expand my professional learning network, I will first set goals. The information on the network platform is huge, which can help me screen useful information. The goal can be to learn new skills, to find job opportunities, or to connect with thought leaders in the field I’ve learned.

I also need to be active, interacting with others on the web by sharing content, engaging in conversations and providing value to the community. In my past experience, the more I am active, the more likely I am to establish meaningful connections.

I also need to be open-minded and open to new ideas and thoughts , even if they challenge my existing beliefs.

In addition,  I need to maintain respect for others, maintain professional demeanor when interacting with others on the Internet, avoid controversial questions and pay attention to the language and tone of communication.

At the same time, the use of professional networks is also risky, there is a lot of  false information or inaccurate information on the network, which may be misleading and harmful, in the professional network to learn to screen quality information.

I also often worry about my privacy because sharing personal information within PLN can lead to privacy leaks, especially in the case of Internet insecurity.

Overall, while there are risks associated with a professional learning network, the benefits can outweigh the risks if individuals take appropriate precautions and are mindful of the information they share and consume within the network.

Thread Discussion: How do data privacy and security limit and promote a PLN? In your network, how can you create a digital identity/ reputation?

Data privacy and security can both constrain and facilitate professional learning networks (PLNs). On the one hand, concerns about data privacy and security may limit an individual’s willingness to share personal information and connect with others in a professional setting.

On the other hand, ensuring the privacy and security of personal information fosters trust and confidence in the network, leading to stronger, more meaningful connections. When I’m screening information or people to establish a connection, I usually check to see if the account is an officially certified blogger. Usually, the information published by a certified blogger or company account is relatively accurate and credible. I also watch the conversations and comments on some of the messages posted by this account in the past to make sure the account is trustworthy.

As we create digital identities and reputations in PLN, there are several things individuals can do: Be consistent first: Consistency is key when creating digital identities.

Individuals should ensure that their online presence is consistent across platforms and that their brand is clear and easily recognizable. Second, it is important to be authentic to yourself when creating your digital identity. This means sharing personal experiences, opinions and insights authentically and honestly.

Third, interacting with others in your network is critical to building relationships and building your reputation. Individuals should participate in conversations, share content, and provide value to the community.

Fourth, it is also important to maintain a professional demeanor when interacting with others in your network. This means avoiding controversial topics, being respectful, and being mindful of the language and tone used in communications.

Finally, individuals should take steps to protect their personal information and ensure their online presence is safe. This includes using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being careful about the information to share publicly.

Overall, creating a digital identity and reputation in PLN requires a combination of authenticity, professionalism and security. By following best practices for data privacy and security, individuals can establish a trustworthy and respected image online.

Blog Post #2 – What Does My Digital Identity Look Like?

– What is a digital identity?

A digital identity is any piece of data on a personal online network that reflects the real you. For example, the photos you upload to social media, any of your web search engine history, the posts you create and any comments and remarks, your online bank account, email account, game account and other users of various network tools. If the ID card records your birth, place of residence, job, marriage, etc., the digital identity records all your behaviors and behaviors on the Internet.

– How do personal and professional approaches to digital identity affect the use of social media?


Individuals use personal networks to socialize and interact. Individuals show themselves by updating personal dynamics, and can also interact and communicate with others by watching other people’s personal dynamics, so as to achieve the purpose of social networking and information exchange, which can be understood as a one-to-one relationship. A professional network is used to find career opportunities or learn about current events. A professional network may have more than one author, and the “author” may be a large institution, a group, or even a government. It may not only represent the information of an individual’s opinion, but a collective, so the content published by the professional network is more professional and authoritative.

– How is digital identity integrated in online publics – what are the implications and benefits?


When digital identities are integrated with the online public, the government and the police can track people’s online behavior, which can ensure that people behave appropriately, because online crimes or violations are no longer unaccountable or unaccountable. So when digital identities are integrated with the Internet, people can use the Internet to vote electronically, sign documents, and file tax returns online. Moreover, with the internationalization, many people in the world are floating population. They need to travel to different countries for work and life, and paper ID cards are very easy to be stolen and lost. Live and travel with increased convenience and more efficient regulation of the security of the online world.

– Can digital wallets provide trust to the online public?


Digital wallets can provide trust for the online public. With the popularity of digital wallets, more people are willing to spend and save their money through digital wallets. Especially in recent years, the pandemic of the new crown has made digital wallets a contactless Consumption is more popular, and people feel the convenience and speed brought by digital wallets. Before the pandemic, I didn’t trust digital wallets and any online transactions because I was very worried about getting scammed and my money was safe. But with the popularity of digital wallets, more and more people around me use digital wallets. With the recommendation of people around me, I also use digital wallets and understand the benefits of digital wallets.

WEEK 2 – PLN & Public Communications

What does it mean to network using social media?
I think the main meaning of doing this is to communicate with distant friends, share pictures and videos with each other, and so on. You can also join different groups to find people who share your hobbies. It’s also a fast, cheap and effective way to reach nearly half of the world’s population. If you have a need, you can connect with your target audience, engage with customers, and grow your business. The significance of using social media to establish a network is to exchange knowledge and information with other people more widely and more conveniently. To give a simple example, I love travel and photography. Before each trip, I will search for some travel bloggers’ experiences and stories on social media to prepare for my trip. I can also post my questions in the forum Go and discuss with many netizens. When I finish my travels, I also share my travel experiences on social media and share the places I visited during my travels. Therefore, people can more conveniently interact with people who are thousands of miles away or do not know people in reality, which makes people’s learning more convenient and information flow faster.


How are we motivated to participate in networked publics?
From a business point of view, it can increase the traffic of the product website, increase the visibility, and attract the attention of new friends. Publish some articles to win the attention of consumers, so that readers are interested in the product and enter the website. From the student’s point of view, publishing what they have learned on the Internet can further consolidate the knowledge, while students who do not have this knowledge can learn this knowledge by searching for explanations posted by others. In additional, people can generate new problem-solving methods or knowledge through communication and discussion in networked publics because you can communicate with more different people online and you may get new inspiration.


What are the risks & rewards of public communications?
The risk of public communication is that the web is mixed, and everyone has a different point of view. Some people agree with you, and some people disagree. Although some people do not agree, they can also debate with you rationally, but some people not only disagree, but also do not reason, thereby further verbally insulting you, and may even rise to sexism or race and so on. The return of public communication is also significant, and even the largest platform can better carry out message transmission. You can let more people see what you want to say, so that you can promote your product through the methods mentioned above.