EDCI 338 Yanshan Liu

Beginning

I am a senior majoring in economics. I chose this major because I believe it is the social science that I am most interested in. EDCI is also an elective course I have chosen.

The Start

I chose this course because I genuinely believe it will be helpful and I’m deeply interested in it. It all started because of my girlfriend; she had taken it as an elective, and we discussed the details. I really enjoyed the new media content, which greatly interested me. That’s my motivation for choosing this course.

Target

I am a Chinese student studying in Canada. My generation has witnessed the rise of new media in China and understands the importance of Personal Networks (PLNs) for individuals and even companies. Therefore, my learning goals are as follows:

1. Master PLN skills.

2. Develop analytical skills and improve my ability to adapt to changing circumstances (at the personal network level).

3. Learn the basics of PLNs to lay a solid foundation for the future. These are my three main goals.

Challenge

Looking back, I realize I faced considerable challenges when this course started. I didn’t know what a blog was, how to write one, or how to complete one. Learning is a gradual process starting from scratch. The second challenge was drawing our own social media map, which I clearly remember. I had no concept of it before; to me, these media were simply different functions. I’d never thought about it from such a professional perspective. So, when this assignment came up, I carefully tried to understand and recall the details and categories I usually used. The third challenge was group work and the communication and completion process with group members. But no matter what, I overcame it all. I really enjoyed the experience. It felt like there were endless hills to climb, but I was determined to overcome them. I loved this feeling, like a challenge; although there was no end, I knew the direction. I’m very grateful to Professor Jesse for diligently updating the weekly posts with great detail, which helped me a lot.

Reflection

Overall, I am quite satisfied with this course. Firstly, I have my own blog, and secondly, I achieved my learning objectives. However, there are still many shortcomings.

1. There was little interaction with classmates, such as commenting on other people’s blogs.

2. I think my own blog is not detailed enough. For example, I think catposthumus’s blog is quite perfect, and this is something I need to improve upon.

3. As someone who is new to PLN, I think my content is too simplistic and needs to be expanded.

4. My understanding of the network and PLN is too conservative and rigid, and needs to be strengthened; I need to view it in a more open way.

5. I focused too much on the harms, causing me to overlook the benefits and advantages brought by media such as PLN.

These are the five major reflections I made after this course that I need to rectify promptly. I have a great hope of overcoming these difficulties.

I will do what I do

First, I will expand my PLN to make it more comprehensive. Second, I will increase verification of information, avoiding reliance on one-sided accounts, and be cautious with artificial intelligence, as I cannot immediately verify the truthfulness of its reports. Finally, I will deepen my understanding of the network frameworks, laws, and ethical responsibilities among different countries in the international community to ensure the healthy development of my PLN without violating the red lines of any group.

Looking to the future

I will first focus on professional content, in order to build a network of potential future employers and colleagues.

By utilizing third-party tools and information, those in charge can reduce resource waste and public attention, and also avoid misleading information.

To expand and specialize my PLN, I will do so by joining professional communities and increasing interaction, etc.

The END

It’s a pleasure to see everyone here. Thank you to the professor for his meticulous guidance over the past few months, and thank you to all members of our group for their hard work. Wishing everyone who reads this all the best.

Reference

Hughes, J. (2017, July 12). See You Again from Furious 7 Is Now the Most Watched Video on YouTube. The Drive. https://www.thedrive.com/article/12385/see-you-again-from-furious-7-is-now-the-most-watched-video-on-youtube

Visitor & Resident Map and Digital Identity

Hi，Baowen Liu. I read your blog post on Visitor & Resident Map and Digital Identity, and I think it was very comprehensive and insightful.

First, you analyzed the role and use of social media platforms like Google, Zoom, Gmail, and Mattermost in your studies and life. Second, you identified the dominant roles Snapchat, Instagram, and WeChat play in your life, and how YouTube and Spotify fill the entertainment gaps in your Visitor & Resident Map. This detailed analysis, combined with your visitor & resident map’s ability to visualize and simplify all information, is excellent.

Furthermore, you expanded on specific real-life applications in later posts and proactively analyzed considerations from the perspectives of career and future employers. This blog post is very well-rounded, and I particularly agree with and appreciate your statement: “This means consistently building my presence on professional platforms over time, rather than creating a profile only when a professional identity is urgently needed.” This demonstrates your profound understanding and knowledge of PLN (Public-Private Partnership) after your studies, which I greatly admire.

However, I also have a few suggestions:

1. I think it would be better if you could visualize your activities on Mattermost, such as how you effectively utilize these platforms in your studies, and how you proactively participate in discussions and build communication with teachers and classmates.
2. Privacy boundaries: After reading your blog, I understand that your carefully built and managed personal PLN is very effective. However, it seems that you lack consideration for privacy boundaries in your daily life and interactions with strangers. Adding this would be perfect.
3. Regarding platforms like YouTube, it would be even better if you could add more diverse elements, such as whether you usually watch Chinese or English content, and which bloggers have inspired or helped you understand your PLN.

These three are just my suggestions. Overall, it’s a very good blog post to start a course.

Thank you for sharing such a high-quality blog in this course.

Welcome to our group’s final project. Our group members are: Catharina Posthumus (V00937395), Rem D’Ambrosio (V00778100), Olivia Korbus (V01092455), BaoWen Liu (V00963352), and Yanshan Liu (V01026539). Below is our work.

Thank you for watching！

A major concern involves the collection of personal data. Many digital platforms regularly gather user information, including search history, geographical location, learning preferences, and how users interact with the platform. Although the data is used to improve the services, it can also help for analysis, advertising, and some other purposes by outside parties.

This raises an important question: is this data really collected for educational purposes, or is education gradually becoming another way for enterprises to collect personal information?

In the context of Canada, the problem has become more complicated. PIPEDA helps to regulate the behavior of private sector organizations when collecting, using and disclosing personal information, but the situation in the field of education is not always clear. Different provinces may have different regulations, and the operation of some online learning tools crosses national borders. Therefore, students and educators may not always know where their data flows or who has access to this data.

I also think that student control is a key issue. Theoretically, users may be able to “agree” to the privacy policy, but in fact, many people do not fully understand the content of these policies. This means that students often do not have real control over their own information. If a learning platform requires users to participate in it, the so-called “consent” may not be like a real independent choice.

In my opinion, this shows that PLNs should not only be regarded as active learning tools, but also should be carefully examined. Educators and educational institution. must check if the platforms they use are fair, open and protect user privacy under Canadian privacy laws.They need to make sure these platforms are safe for students. Protecting privacy and being trustworthy are as important as using innovative educational tools. Educational institution and educators should think carefully about these issues when choosing platforms. Canadian privacy laws can also help them to make the choices. They should keep these laws in mind when assessing platforms. By this way, they can ensure a better learning environment.

In my final project, I want to incorporate the view that digital learning tools are never neutral. They can not only support the learning process, but also affect the whole process of data collection, monitoring and use. For this reason, we should participate in PLN activities with insight and prudence, and pay more attention to digital responsibility.

Reference

(Gen)eration AI: Safeguarding youth privacy in the age of generative artificial intelligence. (2025, March). The Dais.
PIPEDA – 2 minutes [Video]. (n.d.). YouTube.

Artificial intelligence and social media: How should digital citizens in Canadian education respond when “artificial intelligence garbage” drowns the flow of information?

One of the biggest changes brought about by generative artificial intelligence in the Canadian social media environment is the so-called “AI garbage”: a large amount of low-cost content that seems to be “information/news/knowledge” is quickly generated and poured into the information flow. It is not necessarily “completely fake”, but common problems include: unknown source, weak evidence, sensational titles, and the use of “real” pictures or tones to create a sense of authority, which ultimately misleads people into believing that they “see the truth”.

1) An example of AI wasting information and spreading misinformation that I observed.

On the TikTok short video platform, I often see some short videos similar to the first-person perspective or live images: using materials that look like first-person perspective or disaster scenes, such as car accident scenes or disaster scenes. This kind of content can usually give a strong conclusion, but lacks a clear source and verifiable original link. Two reactions soon emerged in the comment section: one was anger and partiality, and the other was spreading fear without a clear factual basis, such as “I know, it’s near my home, or I heard it from a friend in that area”, thus further amplifying the uncertain information.

This is a typical risk of AI mistakes: it pushes unreliable content to more people through “the appearance of news + exaggerated emotions + platform recommendation mechanism”, thus amplifying misinformation.

MediaSmarts emphasized in the materials of Media Literacy Week that artificial intelligence-driven false information has attracted wider attention because it makes the content “look more credible, thus increasing the possibility of misleading and dissemination”.

2) How will this affect public opinion?

The impact of artificial intelligence’s bad behavior on public opinion is not only “someone has been deceived”, but also changes the structure of social discussion:

Decreased trust: When people keep seeing content that “looks like news but cannot be verified”, they will eventually lose trust in the media, institutions and professionals, and eventually “no longer trust anyone”.

Accelerated polarization: The emotional expression in short videos easily simplifies complex problems into simple opposition, and transforms public discussion from “understanding the problem” to “choose the side”.

Make error messages more difficult to correct: once the content is forwarded, edited and reprocessed, it is difficult to trace its original source; the speed of correction usually cannot keep up with the speed of dissemination.

Create “information pollution”: Even if not all information is false, low-quality and sourceless content will squeeze the information space, making truly reliable information more difficult to see.

From the perspective of digital citizens, the risk is that we may inadvertently participate in the spread of misinformation through likes, comments and shares.

3) Can Canada’s current policy/research solve this problem?

Canadian research and policy discussions have begun to address the issue head-on, but there is still a major gap.

Insufficient tags: DAIS research shows that small “AI-generated” tags have little impact on users’ trust or sharing behavior; stronger full-screen prompts are more effective, but the platform usually does not adopt them.

This means that relying solely on platform “light reminders” is unlikely to resist the spread of AI garbage.

The national strategy emphasizes “skills and governance”, but implementation requires the cooperation of the education system: DAIS lists “trusted governance + skills and talent + sovereign ability” as one of the pillars in its proposal to update Canada’s artificial intelligence strategy.

This also shows that if the education system does not regard media literacy/artificial intelligence literacy as basic skills, the policy will be difficult to implement.

The conclusion is that although policies and research are advancing, in the face of the phenomenon of “scale, low cost and platform amplification” of AI, the education department must supplement it through “operable media literacy training”.

4) The media literacy course I proposed is aimed at ninth-grade high school students and lasts 40-50 minutes.

Goal: To enable students to stop when encountering AI’s bad remarks, check the source and evaluate its credibility, instead of being driven by emotions to forward.

Course name:

“Stop-Check-Decision: Identifying AI Mistakes and Verifying Information”

Learning Objectives: Students will be able to explain what artificial intelligence mistakes are and their misleadingness. Use a simple verification process to determine the credibility of the content. Be a responsible digital citizen on social media: know when not to forward and how to express doubts.

Design of teaching activities

Activity 1: Quick classification of three short contents (10 minutes)

The teacher shows three short videos/screenshots similar to news (simulated content can be used; there is no need to spread real error information). Students work together in groups to determine:

What information is missing?

Which emotional words stimulated the discussion?

What details can be verified?

Activity 2: Stop-Check-Decision Verification Process 20 minutes

Give students a verification list:

Stop: Pause for 10 seconds and do not forward or comment immediately.

Check: What is the original source of this information?

Is there a second credible source to support?

Is there any obvious editing/out of contextence/”news description style but no source”? Decide:

Trustworthy: can be shared, but the source information needs to be provided;

Uncertain: do not forward, only save verification;

Obviously misleading: report/remind students to “lack sources” and do not spread the word.

This step naturally echoes the discovery of DAIS: due to the insufficient effect of platform labels, users need to verify the ability.

Activity 3: Role-playing comment reply 10 minutes

Scenario: A classmate forwarded a video that “looks like news” in the group. How will you respond?

Students need to write two sentences:

Polite reminder: “I’m not sure about the source. Can you provide the original link?”

A verification suggestion: “I have checked two sources, but I haven’t seen any authoritative reports yet.”

Evaluation method: 5 minutes

Each student submits a small note and answers as follows:

What is the “identification of sewage signals” I learned?

What is the first step I will take when I see similar content in the future?

Why is it necessary to use Canadian evidence to support this lesson?

MediaSmarts clearly pointed out that artificial intelligence-driven misinformation is becoming a public concern, emphasizing the need to improve critical thinking and verification habits.

DAIS research shows that small labels are unlikely to change behavior; therefore, education must make “verification and judgment” a basic skill for students, rather than relying on platform reminders.

At the same time, DAIS’s proposal to Canada’s artificial intelligence strategy also regards “skills” as a key pillar, indicating that the development of artificial intelligence/media literacy in education is in line with the policy direction.

In a word, the bad behavior of AI is not just “content deterioration”; it will change the way the public forms views and how they trust the source of information, which will also affect students’ digital citizenship. For middle school students, the most practical way is not to “memorize the concept”, but to develop a feasible habit: stop-check-decision. When verification becomes routine, the risks brought by AI become easier to manage, and opportunities are more likely to really serve learning and social participation.

Reference

MediaSmarts. (n.d.). “Wait… What?” Media Literacy Week highlights growing concern over AI-driven misinformation. https://mediasmarts.ca/about-us/press-centre/wait-what-media-literacy-week-highlights-growing-concern-over-ai-driven-misinformation

The Dais. (2025, March). Human or AI? Evaluating labels on AI-generated social media content. https://dais.ca/reports/human-or-ai/

The Dais. (2025, October). Submission to the consultation on Canada’s renewed AI strategy. https://dais.ca/reports/submission-to-the-consultation-on-canadas-renewed-ai-strategy/

My current PLN: What networks, tools and communities should I use?

At present, my PLN is mainly based on four commonly used platforms: WeChat, TikTok, Little Red Book (Little Red Book) and Bilibili.com. I don’t browse these platforms casually; on the contrary, I gradually develop my own learning process: first, I collect information from multiple sources on public platforms, then return to the private field for discussion and verification, and finally use AI to summarize and structure.

WeChat (Private Domain Polish Flower Source): I will discuss “hot topics I see” and “uncertain points” in my circle of acquaintances or groups. Common topics include social issues and policy discussions related to education, public communication and public opinion case studies, and the exchange of learning resources. The advantage of WeChat is that the trust cost is low and the feedback is fast; the disadvantage is that the information source is easily homogenized.

TikTok (trend input): I use it to observe the content of public discussion, and often read news interpretation, short comments on social issues, professional experience sharing and educational hot topics. However, I am cautious about emotional hype and misleading editing, so I usually don’t forward content easily.

Small Red Note (experience and resources): It is more like an “experience database”. I browse it for learning methods, resource collation, career preparation and education-related experience sharing. However, I also remind myself that experience posts can be clues, not evidence.

Bilibili (Systematic Learning): It is closer to the long content learning platform. I watch education/social science lectures, popular science articles on public policies and social operation mechanisms, and content related to artificial intelligence to understand how technology changes the production and dissemination of knowledge.

Career goals: Why do education-related occupations need PLN?

I hope to enter public sector positions related to education in the future (such as policy implementation, rulemaking or public communication). This means that my public learning network (PLN) can not only follow the trend, but must support three points in the long run:

Understand different stakeholders in education issues (students, teachers, parents, schools, social organizations)

Promote information from views to verifiable evidence (research, policy documents, authoritative sources)

Have public communication skills (how to explain policies, answer questions and avoid misleading)

Putting academic research together with personal experience: my contradictory attitude towards artificial intelligence is not uncommon.

The research of Estaiteyeh and Mindzak points out that prospective teachers often face a “double identity paradox”: they are both students who will use generative artificial intelligence and future teachers, and must be responsible for guiding and managing artificial intelligence; they admit that generative artificial intelligence is almost It can be avoided, but its value, use and ethical/teaching impact are still uncertain. The study also emphasizes that this is not a marginal problem, but a profound change in the teaching structure: knowledge production, evaluation and teaching practice are increasingly mediated by algorithms and artificial intelligence. Associate teachers are often worried about students’ abuse (plagiarism, superficial participation, decline in critical thinking), and also hope to learn practical strategies (using artificial intelligence to design evaluation, assist scoring and detect tool abuse).

This research is highly consistent with my experience: I mainly use artificial intelligence for learning and summary (organizing key points, structured fragmented information, and comparing views from different sources). Although it does improve efficiency, it also reminds me that taking AI output as the final answer will turn learning into “faster and more superficial understanding”. Therefore, I set a rule for myself: AI is responsible for the organization, but the key conclusions must be traced back to verifiable sources (papers, official documents, authoritative reports); otherwise, it only makes unreliable content look more “real”.

The impact of PLN + AI on fairness and accessibility

From the perspective of fairness and accessibility, AI and PLN “lower the entry threshold” and “create new barriers” at the same time:

Improve accessibility: artificial intelligence helps to understand complex information (summary, structured, language-assisted); public platforms also make information that used to circulate only in professional circles visible to a wider audience.

Create inequality: algorithm recommendations will make people fall into the echo chamber; the ability to use artificial intelligence itself may become a new digital divide; the quality of platform content varies greatly, and “accessible” is not the same as “trustworthy”.

Therefore, I think AI improves efficiency, but does not automatically improve quality. This also explains the reality of “uncertainty” and “lack of consensus framework” mentioned in the study: the system level is still adapting to change.

Critical evaluation: My advantages and disadvantages of PLN (including AI)

Advantages:

Fast input speed and wide coverage (TikTok/Xiaohongshu)

More complete input level (see Bilibili + WeChat discussion for verification for details)

Artificial intelligence helps me transform fragmented information into structured understanding (provided for follow-up verification)

Weakness:

The chain of evidence is unstable: many experience posts, the source is unknown

Eso room risk: algorithms may reinforce bias

Lack of professional community connection: at present, it is biased towards the mass platform; more opportunities to enter the education policy/teacher’s professional community are needed.

PLN in the context of Canadian education: I want to upgrade “personal browsing” to “professional network”

In the field of education in Canada, educators and educational leaders often expand their professional learning networks through online writing and public communication. Chris Kennedy’s blog “Yes Culture” (Education Leaders in West Vancouver School District) is a typical example: through continuous writing and dialogue, educational discussions are brought into the public sphere, allowing them to examine, supplement and improve views. At the same time, the Canadian Federation of Teachers (CTF) promotes the National Professional Learning and Development Network (PLDN), emphasizing the connection between provincial teacher organizations and supporting the continuous professional development of teachers.

These examples made me realize that PLN is not just “receiving information” on the platform; it can be organized, maintained for a long time, and become a part of career growth.

How can I improve PLN next:

In order to make my public education network closer to the direction of the public sector, I will do three things:

Improve information sources: pay attention to Canadian education leaders, teacher organizations, policies and research resources, rather than relying solely on algorithm recommendations.

Establish the boundaries of artificial intelligence: Artificial intelligence will be used for summary and comparison, but key conclusions must be supported by verifiable sources; do not regard artificial intelligence as authority.

Active diversification + regular review: check whether the information source is too single (language field, position, region), introduce different background voices, and insist on taking verifiable facts as the bottom line.

Reference

Estaiteyeh, M., & Mindzak, M. (2025). Building AI Literacy in Pre-Service Teacher Education in Canada.

Chris Kennedy. Culture of Yes . https://cultureofyes.ca/ Canadian Teachers’ Federation.

Professional Learning and Development Network .https://www.ctf-fce.ca/blog-perspectives/new-professional-learning-and-development-network-to-benefit-teachers-across-the-country/

Who needs to know your Professional Learning Network (PLN)?

I think my potential collaborators, colleagues, and future employers all need to know about my PLN. This is because a PLN not only represents my professional learning network, but also reflects a series of experiences, how I handle different situations, etc., all of which demonstrate my professionalism. When my future colleagues or employers understand it, I think they will have a good impression of me.

Will you continue to update your existing content and maintain your network?

Absolutely. As I just mentioned, the completeness of your PLN completely determines your image in the eyes of others. I consider it our second resume, and its value far exceeds that of a resume. It can indirectly demonstrate a person’s full range of abilities. Therefore, to save networking resources and energy, continuously building my own PLN is an excellent choice.

How do you apply your skills in professional practice?

Regarding this question, I believe I’ve found the answer through my studies. First and foremost is professional media literacy: don’t believe or spread rumors. This is fundamental. No matter what, there must be a bottom line: don’t attack, don’t smear, don’t exaggerate facts, don’t escalate situations, and always maintain a skeptical attitude towards unverified matters, considering their rationality from a fundamental perspective. Don’t believe only one side of the story; always have your own thoughts and stance. These are the skills I will use most in my Personal Network (PLN).

Personal Reflection: Before taking this course, I had no concept of a personal PLN. After taking this course, I learned about the concepts of PLN and learning networks. From a rudimentary understanding to a systematic understanding, each step has been a process of self-renewal.

Initially, I thought PLN was very simple—just a learning network, expanding one’s network of contacts, potential future colleagues and employers, etc. However, after this semester of study, I find that my views on PLN and myself have completely changed. I now believe that a Professional Network (PLN) is a springboard into the professional world. It’s like a convenient ladder, offering transparency while providing professionalism and a network of connections. It’s the best way for employers and colleagues to quickly gain a deep understanding of you. Moreover, a PLN isn’t a one-time thing; it’s an ongoing process, much like saving money. The longer you maintain it, the greater the returns, such as your past work experience and connections. Through continuous learning, I’ve realized that managing a PLN is like being a good person—like the “Magic Johnson + Michael Ovitz” example. We need to be humble, listen, observe, and learn to enrich ourselves. In short, I will continue to pursue a PLN consistently; it’s beneficial for me in every way. I enjoy collaborating with my classmates in this course and going through this learning process together, and I think we will stay in touch.

Reference:

Digital Leader: 5 Simple Keys to Success & Influence Ch. 16 Qualman, Erik – Empower Others https://learning oreilly.com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/library/view/digital-leader- 5/9780071792424/ 

After studying and reflecting, I wrote this post, which will answer questions such as: How can educators create discussion? What role does social media play in education? What problems exist in social media communication within an educational environment? How do Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) promote or hinder the development of ideas and concepts in education? Which social media platforms are beneficial to education? How can social media be integrated with professionalism and regulations when working with disadvantaged groups? These questions will be addressed along with my own reflections.

Harry Dale cleverly used the analogy of a stage, the two sides of a wall, and a hole in the wall to illustrate the relationship between PLN and educators, as well as PLN’s situation when facing users on different platforms. Firstly, PLN, or modern social media as commonly understood, is currently in a rather awkward position. Young people like to use social media to experience the world, but opportunities and risks coexist. Such a large-scale online platform makes it difficult to have good supervision and a highly systematic and efficient operation. Despite this, educators are constantly trying to broaden the path for future generations. For example, they are using social media platforms to spread unsolved problems and theories from ancient Europe and the Middle Ages—concepts that were merely ideas at the time—like dandelions in the wind, creating discussion and adding value and meaning to education. However, in the current environment, the resistance is still very significant. If I were to say that PLN will invest in education… In the education sector, and given its dominant position, a host of problems arise. For example, which stage of education benefits students or learners most, and which is unsuitable? Conversely, which groups are suitable and which are not? With a vast amount of information, we cannot quickly build a system like our offline learning system. First, let’s consider the simplest example: for ease of management and statistics, we categorize educational institutions below the university level by school district. This allows for resource differentiation and direct comparison. But how can we accurately achieve this comparison within a PLN (Public Learning Network)? We can’t create a “Truman Show” environment, because that would contradict our original intention—this is the first major challenge. Secondly, the second major problem is communication. Education is the transmission of information, like a spark passed down. Whether it’s a toddler learning to speak or a student like us, the process involves receiving and understanding information. But without the offline “petri dish,” how can we achieve more efficient communication? Our technology is advanced; for example, 3D projection, 5G networks, and VR can all become educational resources. However, this is a double-edged sword. Does this mean that only the wealthy are qualified to receive such modern and advanced education? If online education continues to develop in this direction, it will be a monopoly for ordinary people, a fate predetermined from birth. Therefore, how to ensure that online education maintains the same communication efficiency and results as offline education is a problem we need to consider and solve. I think fragmentation is a good idea. Since we cannot control the environment, we can segment learning according to our attention span. For example, we can use interactive methods or segmented videos to maintain communication quality. At the same time, we can establish online supervision in the education sector, combined with AI technology and large-scale model analysis to collect data. This ensures that there is no bad information or bullying during student communication, and also collects more accurate and timely data. For example, YouTube teaching videos can be broken down into smaller parts, allowing students to watch and learn repeatedly according to their needs. This is a good starting point, but it lacks supervision. Secondly, language is a thorny issue in communication. How to communicate across languages ​​is a difficult problem. I think subtitles and AI voice acting are good choices that are low-cost and efficient. However, we must return to the harsh reality that these designs are for ordinary people. Among us, there are many vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities, autism, ADHD, and many other situations. What role does PLN education play in this regard? This is harsh. Currently, there is no way to establish effective and healthy communication among vulnerable groups because, when these sensitive and vulnerable individuals enter this new world, what they see and encounter is designed for ordinary people. When these groups join, they inevitably experience rejection and even cyberbullying. Therefore, a role similar to “cyber police” is needed to intervene. First, AI algorithms should be used to block educational videos that highlight user weaknesses. Second, users with a history of misconduct should be closely monitored to prevent them from committing violence against vulnerable groups. Rules should be established, such as the fact that bullying any other user on social media will result in a stamp appearing on one’s profile picture or in a prominent place, with a penalty lasting a week or longer to punish such behavior.

We are accustomed to traditional education, and perhaps our concepts and ideas are shackles that confine new social media education without our realizing it. We live in the 21st century, but for education, PLN feels more like it existed in the Middle Ages or even earlier, like the Renaissance, opening up a new world for society amidst controversy and resistance.

I’ve come up with a humorous analogy to describe the relationship between PLN and our current situation: modern online educational social platforms and PLN are like water bottles. They’re no longer inconvenient or unable to store water like they used to float on water. But now, all we do is use a sharp blade to cut a hole in the bottom and drink from it, not only defeating the original purpose of storing water but also causing unnecessary waste. PLN is like that—it has unlimited potential, but we educators and users need to improve ourselves to maximize its effectiveness.

Thank you for your patience in reading. If you’d like, please leave a comment so we can discuss it together!

Reference：

During my fifth week of learning, I gained new perspectives and understanding of PLNs. For me, Public Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) are not just about building networks, but more importantly, about sharing and reaping information. Every participant disseminates and receives information, and we all have our own responsibilities and rules. Making good use of PLNs can be very rewarding and is an indispensable step in modern diversified growth.

In the interview “Public Vision: Social Media and Evening News,” Sophie Lui, using her professional position as a news anchor/reporter, clearly explained why “public PLNs” (Public Placement Networks) have both value and costs. My understanding is that for her, social media is like a radar, constantly exploring and updating, allowing everyone to access fresh, first-hand news. However, she also mentioned some common negative impacts such as harassment and negative emotions. She addressed these issues and how to avoid them, using wit and rationality to prevent misleading others, and carefully considering boundaries before posting and publishing. Her thoughts inspired me greatly, making me realize that her theories seem applicable to our own personal PLN situations.

Public interaction with the public presents both benefits and risks, like a double-edged sword. The benefits include rapid dissemination and feedback, similar to how news used to be broadcast at fixed times, but with public networks, information can be shared 24/7, ensuring no participant falls behind in the information age. However, the drawbacks are equally real, such as the spread of rumors and slander. Unlike the physical world with its robust infrastructure like police and courts, the internet doesn’t offer such robust public infrastructure. Even with widespread real-name registration, these phenomena still exist, and these risks must be mitigated through improved judicial systems and online management. Another risk is misunderstanding. For example, software like TikTok can easily manipulate videos with incomplete beginnings and endings, adding voiceovers to distort the truth and mislead the public. Ambiguous information and videos can also lead to negative online impacts. These are all cases that have occurred. Therefore, in today’s diverse society, both offline and online, risks and opportunities coexist. Public networks are a double-edged sword; only by improving policies and management can we significantly enhance their benefits and minimize their risks.

Trust is the foundation of everything. In today’s world where public opinion networks (PLNs) are so widespread and developed, not only do media outlets need basic integrity and ethical standards, but every participant must also possess these fundamental qualities. As the primary disseminators of information, media outlets, appearing as a group, can quickly and immediately access information and news that is relevant to the general public. A fundamental quality is to disseminate information based on facts, understanding the causes and consequences, rather than embellishing facts with biased opinions and misleading the public. Besides the media, frontline professionals also face this challenge, such as police officers, lawyers, and doctors. A particularly interesting example is from late 2018 in Wuhan. A doctor used his social media account to warn the nation about a new virus that could infect the lungs, similar to the 2002 coronavirus, urging everyone to take precautions. Soon after, Chinese state media debunked this claim and criminally detained the doctor. Shortly after, this doctor contracted the virus and died on the front lines of the epidemic. It was later proven that the doctor was not lying; this was the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This case is a classic example of media error—focusing only on impact and not on the facts.

I will manage and operate my social media accounts with utmost care, as they contain contacts of everyone I know and don’t know, including potential employers. All my actions, which I believe are impeccable, involve remaining silent. I will handle all events in my life and conflicts at work appropriately within designated areas to prevent negative impacts from spreading. Regarding news and other events, I will remain neutral, neither forwarding nor taking sides. In today’s information-saturated world, we as individuals lack the ability to distinguish between false information and opaque or asymmetrical information. To prevent further escalation of negative situations, I will remain silent until things are settled. If I were to take over public accounts, such as news company accounts, I would strictly adhere to company and work guidelines when disseminating information, such as: not saying what shouldn’t be said, and ensuring all information is 100% true and reliable. I will strive to minimize the negative impact of public opinion while disseminating information.

In summary, my view on PLN is conservative. Because there is insufficient regulation and punishment, and in order to avoid being misled into being a perpetrator, I currently mostly just accept and understand information, discuss it within my circle of friends to see what everyone thinks, and follow news organizations and local police agencies to stay ahead or not fall behind. I believe this is my management strategy for Personal Networks.

reference

Hegarty, B. S. (2020, February 6). The Chinese doctor who tried to warn others about coronavirus. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51364382

Sophie Lui

Regarding the diversity of my PLN (Personal Learning Network), I feel it lacks compared to others I’ve observed. However, I enjoy learning about diversity in the present moment. Therefore, I like to hear different voices on social media to understand how this colorful world changes every day. I am constantly learning and updating my worldview and PLN.

In my personal PLN, I’ve learned about the experiences and risks associated with different professions and hobbies. For example, I’ve recently become very interested in diving. Through learning and exposure, I believe I have acquired the relevant amateur knowledge and awareness, laying the foundation for future systematic learning. In addition, I am very concerned about environmental protection and world affairs. I also obtained accreditation from Learn e-course through a free course and exam provided by the United Nations. I will continuously follow current events and trending topics on various social media platforms to ensure I stay informed about the world as it unfolds and try not to fall behind.

In summary, I believe that social media is suitable for the vast majority of young people, at least those around me. Social media has greatly facilitated communication. A simple example is the comment section for every video and post. Furthermore, social media breaks away from conventional chat software, allowing you to make new friends no matter what you’re doing. For instance, on platforms like TikTok, you can follow your favorite bloggers, join fan groups, and so on. On this highly inclusive platform, self-media bloggers and every participating user are flourishing.

Currently, I lack professional expertise. Although I enjoy sharing, compared to other professional bloggers or sharers, my PLN (Personal Network) can hardly amplify other users’ viewpoints. However, I believe there is communication between us; we influence and support each other, amplifying each other’s opinions and stances in the process. But even making friends or communicating on social media platforms today requires caution, because deception is still prevalent on platforms where fabrication is possible. The explosive development of technologies like AI has provided an excellent backdrop for deception, including creating false professional information to monetize, particularly in finance, travel, and outdoor adventure. The existence of such individuals, in the context of social media and the rise of AI, exacerbates the unfamiliarity and aversion most people have towards them, leading to avoidance or distrust and thus damaging the positive environment for communication.

I have deep feelings about employer communication. There are numerous cases of large companies failing in public relations on Douyin (TikTok), and these all started with a seemingly insignificant post or comment. Even though these companies and employers conducted risk assessments, they still couldn’t completely prevent such situations from occurring. I can only say that in today’s ever-changing world, everyone, including employers and companies, is learning and improving. However, I believe these situations will no longer occur in the future, as company policies will become increasingly sophisticated, minimizing the negative risks posed by the media. For example, my current guidelines include: respecting diversity and all groups; prioritizing user privacy when providing services; verifying everything before expressing opinions; and other policies that regulate employee behavior on social media to mitigate risks.

In today’s rapidly changing world, many of us are being pushed along, but we will choose what we believe in. With the development of social media, our communication and exchange are becoming more sophisticated. I look forward to the future media environment and to the impact my improved personal PLN (Public Relations Network) will have on others.

Reference

Jesse Miller. (2026, January 29). EDCI 338 2026 Week 4 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doJgDjA3QPo

Five Moore Minutes. (2025, February 8). Inclusion is not Assimilation: Understanding communities of identity and diversity [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IOGOE_qQfM

Ng, K. (2024, May 9). China: Baidu PR boss sorry for glorifying work-till-you-drop. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz4x5nnpe80o