Blog #6 – Who Needs To Know About Your PLN?

As I reach the end of this course, I find myself looking back at my initial perceptions of social media and realize how much they have shifted. My initial perception of what social media was a tool for simple entertainment or peer to peer communications. Now has transformed into a more sophisticated personal learning network.

The most significant change in my perspective has been the shift from individual learning to collaborative growth. Early on, I viewed my online presence through a personal lens, sharing information or consuming content passively. Platforms like GitHub represent this shift, where I recently had a group project where we collaborated on a prototype of a map navigation app. However, my team members almost had no experience with some of the tools we were using, I had to take initiative. I reviewed each others code, and helped each other discus ideas that created shared knowledge. As Erik Qualman suggests, a leader’s role is not to act like “Moses on the mountaintop” delivering commands, but to empower others to take initiative and lead.

Furthermore, my use of various platforms has become more intentional. While i still use tools like Reddit for personal interest, I now recognize how these hidden parts of my network can provide unexpected learning opportunities.

One of the more actionable insights I’ve gained is the concept of the digital shadow . Previously, I was overly cautious about my online presence, sometimes withholding projects because they felt too niche . I now understand that it is better to proactively post the good work I am doing rather than just defensively trying to remove negative items . By sharing my passions and achievements, I allow my online presence as a whole to cast a positive impression, where a few blemishes or negative comments represent only a small part of a much larger story .