For our final project, our group decided to expand on the many ways social media can be used for a PLN and how to utilize these tools to expand your knowledge. We focused our attention more on the three platforms; Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. We used these to show how the platforms can be used for professional learning, business use, personal use, and academic use. We discuss how various features on social media apps can be used and what they could be useful for in expanding or enhancing your PLN. We cover what the model for PLN optimization for educators looks like and how to make a presence in the PLN. We identified how technology tracks and uses personal data, including tech companies. 

Throughout this class, I have learnt various things such as expanding your PLN to create an unbiased environment. Having diversity and inclusion in your PLN creates a place to share various opposing ideas/thoughts, expand your own views, reflect on your ideas, etc. I have learnt that social media can be a great tool for learning and to make sure that the information is true and unbiased before believing the content right away. Social media isn’t meant to be used as your only source of news, you need to be watching the news and comparing the courses to eliminate bias and false information. I follow many accounts on Instagram that share educational content related to my field of study, some ‘fun’ entertaining accounts meant to make me laugh, and some accounts that influence my fashion hobby. 

This course has really taught me there is more to social media than just family and friends content. There are various ways I can use it to learn, expand my knowledge, views and ideas. I have also been more aware of the content I post on my account, making sure that I use my voice the way I meant to use it.