Category: Blog Posts EDCI 338

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Blog Topics

The following are the topics I will be discussing in this blog:

• 1. PLN Space Through Social Media
• 2. Privacy, Ethics, and Security in Digital Spaces
• 3. Inclusivity and UDL in PLNs
• 4. Challenges & Importance of Diversity in Digital Learning
• References / Citations / Images

Also feel free to listen to the audio of the blog if you do not want to read! Enjoy!

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1. PLN Space Through Social Media

A Personal Learning Network (PLN) is a group of people, digital tools, and platforms that we can connect with to learn and share knowledge in both personal and professional matters. These networks can be built through social media and online communities.

In what ways has PLN effected me?

Social media, online platforms, and peers have played a key role in shaping my PLN, especially in the last few years. Initially, I used platforms like Instagram and YouTube mainly for entertainment and social purposes. However, as I’ve grown older, I’ve become more mature and professional with how I use social media. I’ve realized that these platforms are great tools for learning, networking, and staying connected with communities that align with both my personal passions and professional goals.

How I Use My PLN for Personal Interests

When it comes to my personal interests, especially football (soccer), platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) have had a big impact on my learning journey. I follow football analysts, sports journalists, and other football fans to stay updated on the latest news, strategies, data insights, and public opinions. These connections allow me to not only watch the game but also engage in discussions and analyze the sport from multiple perspectives. I also try to avoid being biased when expressing my opinion by reading information from multiple sources and comparing different views.

As I learned more about football from these platforms, I was able to apply my knowledge in videos when I started my football podcast in 2021, FIFA Flow Podcast. In this podcast, I wopuld discuss match results, go over team tactics, analyze and predict upcoming games, share my opinion on recent football news, and react to other public opinions. This experience has pushed me to think more critically and analytically, communicate my ideas clearly, and be more open both online and in person, especially since I used to struggle with anxiety about what others think of me.

How I Use My PLN for Professional Goals

My professional PLN has grown from my interests and family influence. Growing up, playing many video games, especially FIFA, which I enjoy despite the many issues, has brought curiosity to me about the complex and in-depth process that goes behind the making of the game. Furthermore, looking up to my mom, who has been a computer programmer for over 20 years, has inspired me to pursue computer programming studies at the University of Victoria.

I started my computer programming journey during my 11th grade at high school. I took one computer elective in 11th grade and two in 12th grade. Once I started my degree at the University in 2023, I started utilizing more tools to help in understanding course topics and further enhance my programming knowledge beyond course notes. YouTube tutorials and online forums such as Stack Overflow became part of my learning routine. I was able to learn new skills and see how others solve problems, then apply my knowledge to assignments and projects. These platforms were very important in my PLN and learning journey as I got to engage with a bigger community of developers and others who were on the same learning path as me.

More recently, I have started using an application called Windsurf, which is an integrated AI tool within coding platforms such as Visual Studio. It has been useful in helping me write, debug, and most importantly, understand code. Tools like Windsurf are showing that AI is becoming a place for people to connect with and a part of modern digital learning. It has an impact on my Personal Learning Network by acting as a learning partner and assistant. It helps me with many of my problems and questions related to both my academic work and personal interests, such as projects and coding outside of school.

Overall, social media, online platforms, peers, and communities have had an impact on my Personal Learning Network in both my personal and professional life. Whether it’s discussing football opinions online or debugging code, my learning is influenced by my digital connection and how I use online platforms. As George Siemens says in his article “Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age” [1]:

“Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments of shifting core elements – not entirely under the control of the individual. Learning (defined as actionable knowledge) can reside outside of ourselves (within an organization or a database), is focused on connecting specialized information sets, and the connections that enable us to learn more are more important than our current state
of knowing.” (pg. 5)

My PLN is connected to this statement as it shows that knowledge is not only something we learn individually but also something we can share through participation and engagement, both in person and across online digital platforms.

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2. Privacy, Ethics, and Security in Digital Spaces

In today’s day and age, privacy, ethics, and security are very important components of digital life. These digital features help protect personal data and ensure that we can create a safe and respectful online space. As more people use digital platforms for communication, entertainment, learning, and work, we must understand how to manage our information and behave ethically online.

I try to protect my online privacy by never reusing the same passwords, especially for important platforms like my bank account and university login. I also enable 2 factor authentication to ensure extra security. Moreover, I also limit the application permissions, such as access to my location, camera, and contacts. Most importantly, I review what data they collect and how it is used. Since the beginning of the class, when our EDCI 338 course instructor Joshua Hotchin [2] mentioned that 81% of users express anxiety about how companies collect and use their data, it has alarmed me to change my mobile settings. Recently, I have been reorganizing my phone settings and cleaning up app data, but I still worry that much of my information has already been stored or shared online.

When it comes to ethics and online security, I find it annoying that there is misinformation being spread across the internet. Whether it is misleading football statistics or inaccurate academic content, false information can affect how people think about others and also how we learn. Even before I post and share content, I am aware that the content I share is respectful to those who view it. In our first lecture, Joshua Hotchin [2] mentioned an MIT study showing that false news spreads 6x faster than true news on platforms like X (Twitter). This not only harms public understanding but also critical thinking and digital literacy, which are two important parts of personalized learning.

To further speak about misinformation, I also notice that a lot of online content is shaped by Western perspectives and controlled by the platform. As someone who is Persian and deeply connected to my culture, I often see Iran being represented negatively. I have never had the chance to visit Iran, but from videos shared online and stories from my family, I know Iran is a beautiful place with culture and history. While the government may have issues, the country and people are being misrepresented. This connects to the importance of digital ethics; not only is it about protecting personal data, but also being mindful of others and avoiding biased information. There are many scenarios where online spaces are not neutral; they are influenced by social, political, or corporate interests.

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3. Inclusivity and UDL in PLNs

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) supports inclusivity in digital learning environments by ensuring that learning and content are accessible, engaging, and available to all types of learners. In the context of a Personal Learning Network, inclusivity means that we are connecting with individuals and content from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. By applying UDL guidelines, both educators and learners can better support participation and engagement. There are 3 ideas that UDL is structured around: Engagement, Representation, and Action & Expression. Each idea has its own importance in making content accessible (Access), providing motivation and comprehension (Support), and effectively communicating and applying knowledge (Internal Function) [3].

The ideas of Engagement, Representation, and Action & Expression, as shown in the table above, represent the idea of diverse learning needs. For myself, these ideas have definetly influenced and continue to shape my Personal Learning Network, learning experiences, and learning journey. For example, when it comes to the idea of Engagement, I do my best to always stay motivated, positive, and connected by selecting topics and communities that interest me. This goes from staying connected with a football community, such as PSG fans, to academic communities and coding. As for Representation, I find content through various formats such as videos, articles, podcasts, PowerPoint slides, and even AI. Depending on what the topic is, certain formats of studying may apply better. For example, when it comes to computer programming, I would not listen to a podcast but instead watch videos and read online forums. Lastly, Action and Expression are the different ways I can share and express what I have learned, such as my football podcasts or a personal professional project in my field of study.

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4. Challenges & Importance of Diversity in Digital Learning

Diversity in digital learning is important because it creates more engaging discussions, adds more valuable perspectives, and contributes to more learning experiences for all participants. When learners from different cultures, languages, and social backgrounds are connected, it encourages critical thinking and a stronger connection within learning communities. Moreover, having diverse viewpoints can stop assumptions, biased information, and clear everyone’s understanding of the world. However, challenges such as limited access to technology and language barriers can make participation difficult in digital learning.

A major example, one that is personally meaningful to me, can be found in countries like Iran, where internet access is often restricted or shut down by the government, especially during political issues. Alongside the frequent power outages, these challenges make it hard for people to access digital learning platforms and share their voices online. As someone who is connected to the Iranian community, I understand that these barriers may prevent people from using online platforms. Despite these challenges, movements such as Zan, Zendegi, and Azadi (“Women, Life, Freedom”) show the important role of digital space when it comes to sharing your voice. These examples show why diversity and inclusivity are important in digital learning environments, not only for education but also for supporting freedom of expression and access to information. Although I did not include specific detail from the article, from the image citation above, I did read it and appreciated how it illustrated the strenght and courage of Iranian women using digial platforms to share their voice for womens rights.

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References / Citations / Images

[1] Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, 2(1). Retrieved from https://jotamac.typepad.com/jotamacs_weblog/files/connectivism.pdf

[2] Hotchin, J. (2025). EDCI 338: Week 1 lecture slides [PowerPoint slides]. Brightspace. Available only to students enrolled in EDCI 338 at the University of Victoria.

[3] CAST. (2024). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 3.0 [graphic organizer]. Lynnfield, MA: Author. Retrieved from https://udlguidelines.cast.org

[4] Siedow, S. (2024, May 1). How social media fueled the flames of Iran’s women’s rights revolution. The Minnesota Daily. https://mndaily.com/283908/campus-administration/how-social-media-fueled-the-flames-of-irans-womens-rights-revolution/

Image 1 – Screen shot example of my twitter page feed – Taken by Daniel Azarnoush

Image 2 – Screen shot FIFA Flow Podcast channel on Instagram – Taken by Daniel Azarnoush

Image 3 – Screen shot Windsurf Program – Taken by Daniel Azarnoush

Image 4 – Screen shot “Windsurf Program “Iran” search on TikTok – Taken by Daniel Azarnoush

Image 5 – (Post Featured Image & Image in Section 3). Universal Design for Learning (Alhambra Unified School District

Image 6 – CAST. (2024). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 3.0 [graphic organizer]. Lynnfield, MA: Author. Retrieved from https://udlguidelines.cast.org

Image 7 – Evanick, J. (2023, December 18). Digital inclusivity: Creating equitable online learning environments [Image]. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/digital-inclusivity-creating-equitable-online-learning-environments

Image 8 – Siedow, S. (2024, May 1). How social media fueled the flames of Iran’s women’s rights revolution. The Minnesota Daily. https://mndaily.com/283908/campus-administration/how-social-media-fueled-the-flames-of-irans-womens-rights-revolution/

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Final Notes:

Thanks for reading/listening to my blog post. If you have any questions or opinions, feel free to leave a comment. Make sure to check out some of my other blog posts related to academic studies and personal interests! Also check my social media links bellow to stay connected on other platforms!

Digital Identity: Personal vs Professional

Recently, I have started to realise that my digital identity can impact both my personal and professional life in the online space and the real world. It is essential to understand what content is suitable for each platform to maintain a good reputation with all my friends, family, followers, and anyone who views my account and content.

It is important to understand how to maintain your digital boundaries. This means the content you share, the audience it reaches, the platforms you use to share content on, and your profile / how you present yourself online. These can all have an impact on your life in both a personal and professional matter.

First, let’s understand the different types of digital identity.

	Personal Digital Identity	Professional Digital Identity
Audience	Friends, family, followers, other platform users	Employers, professional contacts, classmates, professors
Content Shared	Hobbies, trips, opinions, photos, videos, stories, vlogs	Resume, achievments, portfolio, projects, work history, work strenghts and experiences
Purpose	Connect with friends, family & others + share your interests	Connections, networking, share academic achievments, build a reputation
Style of Text	Casual, humor, informal	Professional, respectful, formal
Example Platforms	Instagream, X (Twitter), TikTok, Reddit	LinkedIn, Indeed, Professional email, academic platforms (Brightspace, MS Teams, Mattermost)

From the table above, there are clear differences between the usage of personal and professional digital identity. When I reflect on my own digital identity, I can relate to these differences.

As for my professional digital identity, I use platofrms such as LinkedIn and outlook, using my school email. I make sure that the tone of my message is more formal and respectful.

I try managing my boundaries and online presence by making sure I am not posting anything controversial that may ruin my reputation. It is important to know what type of content you are sharing and the audience it is reaching as it may affect you and others. That comes into place for both in my personal and professional online presence. When it comes to my professional accounts, I try to make sure that my profiles are up to date and show the strengths and qualities that I can deliver to other professional networks.

Overall, it is important to understand the difference between personal and professional digital identity. Understanding these has helped me become more aware of my online presence.

Digital Visitor and Resident Map

Over the past week, I learnt the difference between a digital visitor and digital resident as well as reflect on the platforms and applications I use for both my personal and professional use.

Before I get into my usage of social media, lets go over the different ways that we can use it:

Resident	Visitor	Personal	Professinoal
– Active on the platfoorm daily, – engagine and interacting with the content – posting, commenting and connecting – have an open profile on the platform	– a quick search or reading a post – not logging into the site	– used to connect with friends and familly – share your opinions – used to show and follow your hobbies, interests, and enternainment	– used for work, netwroking, school and career

As for my Digital Visitor and Resident Map, I was able to reflect on the platforms I use and what I use them for. I found it very interesting to reflect on my usage of social media. Here is what I found out after reflecting:

From the map, you can see that I use platforms such as Instagram and X (Twitter) daily, hence why I placed them towards the resident and personal side of the map. When it comes to a platform such as TikTok and YouTube, although I also use those platforms for entertainment, I also use them as a tool for learning new topics and concepts, either for my interest or for university courses. Applications such as MS Teams, Brightspace, and Mattermost are used for school communication. Platforms such as Outlook and Gmail are also for both my school, professional, and personal use when I sign up for new platforms, connect with others, and plan my calendar. Currently, my map is a mix of both social and personal use, but also for student purposes. However, I can start to notice that I am slowly starting to change direction to a more professional use as a finishing university and start looking for a career in my degree. It’s not to say that I will still not be using other applications such as Instagram and X (Twitter), however, in a few years, this map will for sure look completely different from how it is now.

Theories of Personalized Learning

Everyone has their own style of learning, whether it’s through visual information, hands-on practice, independent learning, or class lectures; learning styles can vary significantly. After understanding what personalized learning is, I realized that it’s not only important to know ‘what’ you’re learning, but also to understand your learning style. Personalized learning focuses on tailoring education to meet each student’s unique needs, interests, and learning styles. There are two theories of personalized learning:

Constructivist Learning

Constructivist learning suggests that, rather than listening to a lecture or reading notes, people learn by actually completing tasks such as problem solving, asking questions, reflecting, teaching others, or even working cooperatively. Students enhance their knowledge of new concepts and topics by using past experiences and information they already know.

Self-Directed Learning

Self-directed learning is essential; you are the teacher and the teaching. You set your plans, topics to learn, how you learn them, when to do them, finding suitable resources, and reflecting on the progress. Instead of relying on the teacher to give you information and a set of instructions, you are more responsible and independent in your learning.

In my own experience, both constructivist and self-directed learning have had an impact on my learning journey.

When it comes to self-directed learning, I feel that there is less pressure on me. I like setting the pace of my learning, the resources I am allowed to use, and choosing the topics that interest me. Although there is more freedom in this style of learning, it requires a lot more responsibility, discipline, and desire to learn. An example for myself would be my interest in learning my ethnic language. Growing up in a Persian family, I was able to learn and listen to the words that they spoke at home; however, since I was raised in an English-speaking country, I never got the chance to learn how to read and write, or, furthermore, enhance my speaking skills in Farsi. Therefore, this past summer, with the idea of self-directed learning, I collected multiple resources from online and in person, set my deadlines, created my assignments, and used my style of learning, via online sources such as social media, translation platforms, and textbooks, to develop my Farsi writing, reading, and speaking.

Both constructivist and self-directed learning have their pros and cons. I like a mix of both styles of learning. Constructivist learning offers engagement with others, group work, hands-on assignments, and times where I can reflect and apply my current and past knowledge to the tasks. On the other hand, I have more freedom when self-directed learning is involved since I can choose how I study, when I learn, and the pace at which I study. A combination of both, what is known as “Learner-Centered Learning”, is what I find the best style of learning.

Privacy, Surveillance, and Digital Footprint Awarness

Whether it’s posting on social media, online websites, or other applications and platforms, almost everything we do online is being tracked and can leave a trace behind. This is what is known as our ‘Digital Footprint’. After reading several articles and listening to videos, given by this course and my own personal interest, I realized how how much a digital footprint I create.

I try to limit the number of platforms I am active on and the time I spend online. The more I interact on social media and applications that I use, the more of my personal information and digital identity are revealed and shared. An example is not allowing full access to most of my mobile applications. This includes limited access to my photos, location, camera, and other privacy settings that I don’t want to be shared. When it comes to my online saftey, I always make sure I am using secure and trusted links, run occasional scans on my devices for any malware or virus, create strong passwords for my accounts which are updated regularly and not common amongst all other online platforms which I use, and finally, updating my computers software for further protection. Recently, I have been going through each application individually to limit the data I allow the app to access, and changing some of my privacy and security settings. I also make sure that before posting online, the content I share is not harmful or misunderstood to ruin my reputation.

It is very important to be aware of what applications and online platforms are collecting your data and how it is being used.

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Thanks for reading my blog. Feel free to leave a comment on your suggestions and opinions or if you have any questions you would like to ask.

Make sure to check out some of my other blogs and social media links to stay connected!

• EDCI 335 (4)
  • Blog Posts EDCI 335 (3)
  • Peer Responses EDCI 335 (1)
• EDCI 338 (4)
  • Blog Posts EDCI 338 (3)
  • Peer Responses EDCI 338 (1)

Technology, digital tools, and online platforms have changed how we communicate with others, learn, and share content online. As a student and person who has been through this technological change in learning and social media, I have experienced how technology has influenced my personal growth and education.

Social Media and Its Role in Education

I use social media every day of my life since that is how I connect with others, stay up to date on news I am interested in, share and watch content, and learn new skills and topics. As I’ve gotten older, especially since starting university, I have learned that social media platofrms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube are not just for enternaiment but a resource for learning.

When studying for midterms and finals or reviewing course materials, I use these platforms to get a better understanding and build my knowledge on certain topics. For example, when I do not understand a concept or tool that is being taught in courses, I watch YouTube videos or TikTok to solve my problems and get better explanations. I find that it makes learning more engaging as I can get different views and examples of one concept.

Outside of my university, I use social media to connect with others online, and share and explore my interests, such as keeping up on football news. I can also learn new topics and skills that I want to learn, such as Persian, as mentioned in my ‘About Me’ page.

One of the benefits of using social media for education is the accessibility and availability compared to traditional learning tools such as textbooks. There are many online sources on platforms like YouTube and TikTok that can help with learning, providing examples, and solving problems. Sometimes during university, if I am stuck on a concept, I can search online for an explanation or clarification rather than waiting until office hours.

The challenges that comes with using social media as an educational tool is the reliability of the content. There is are lot of misinformation and false news posted on social media to change people’s perspective on something, so it is important to know what sources are valid and can be trusted. Wikipedia is the biggest example of misleading and invalid information, as it is an open-source website for everyone to share content on.

As I have used technology more, not only have I used social media to communicate, share content, and explore my interests, but I have also gotten better at identifying valid sources and using social media to learn new topics and solve problem

Personalized Learning and Digital Literacies

For me, learning should not feel forced but should feel enjoyable. I am always motivated to learn concepts that I enjoy learning, and I want to explore and expand my knowledge on them. For example, as someone who plays a lot of video games, I am intrigued to understand the process and development that goes behind it. Although I do not play Fortnite, I am interested in the tools they use to develop a game of that quality. After researching the tools that they use, I came across Unreal Engine, a 3D creation tool for video games. In the past, I have created some small projects using Unreal Engine, but not to an extreme level.

Digital literacy is important in today’s world, especially for communication and learning. It is important to know what resources are used best to complete certain tasks, and always being able to communicate with others by receiving notifications on the go. For example, for my EDCI 338 class, I came across an issue that I would not be able to connect with my peers while away from my desktop computer. I was able to resolve this issue by downloading the Mattermost application on my phone and enabling notifications, so that I can always stay connected. Another example is when I am stuck on computer concepts. Over time I have learned what sites are best for certain tasks, and personally, when I get stuck on a computer science concept in my course, I head to Stack Overflow, a Q&A site for programmers to ask technical questions and share their knowledge

Digital Identity and Online Presence

My digital identity is important to me because I want to share content that is personal and close to me, such as my interests in football, while also staying professional for future job opportunities, and how it affects my education.

Although I use platforms such as YouTube and TikTok to learn new skills, the content that I post on my social media is not necessarily the same. On platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and X (Twitter), the content I post usually relates to my interests, such as football, daily activities, or trips. However, to stay professional, I use sites such as LinkedIn to connect with others for job opportunities. I also occasionally post academic achievements on Instagram, such as projects that I am working on, or something new I have achieved or learned. I make sure that I am not posting any controversial or disrespectful content that will hurt others or even myself, such as receiving threats or lowering my chances for future job opportunities.

Every now and then, I make sure to update my privacy settings, the content that I have shared across all social media platforms, and the people that I follow, as they can all play a role in my education and personal growth.

Navigating and Using Online Platforms Ethically

When the global pandemic hit in 2020, I enhanced my skills with online platforms both for educational purposes and personal use. Over my 2 years at university, I was not well informed about using platforms such as Visual Studio and Git for my computer science courses. Even for EDCI 338 and 335, it took me a while to learn how to use WordPress. Over time, after watching videos, reading instructions, and getting more experience with the sites and platforms, I was able to learn new online tools and platforms to complete work, communicate, learn for education, and also for personal use. An example of my personal use of navigating through online platforms was when I first started my podcast. I did not know what tools were available, how to record, post, and edit, and how to set up my page, but after repeatedly doing podcasts and searching online, I was able to grow my channel and the quality of my content.

The content I share with others and post is important for my own saftey, online prescance and others well being. If I post the wrong thing I am at risk of getting hate comments, threats and ruining my reputation leading to reduced chances of future job opportunities.