• https://islandteacheradventures.opened.ca/2025/07/29/blog-3-building-inclusive-classrooms/

This post offers a clear and engaging look at how Instagram and TikTok can be used meaningfully within a Personal Learning Network (PLN). What stood out to me right away was how specific and practical your examples were, especially the classroom management strategies and PE game ideas. I could really see how this kind of bite-sized content is useful not only during practicum placements but also as a tool to spark creativity in real time. The “refocus and celebration board” idea feels like something I’d actually want to try in a learning space.

Your integration of Shelley Moore’s work and UDL principles made the post even more impactful. The quote you shared, “Inclusion means teaching to the diversity in our classrooms, not trying to eliminate it”, was a powerful reminder of what inclusive education should really look like. I appreciated how you tied this philosophy back into your own digital learning habits by seeking out creators who present content in visually diverse and culturally responsive ways.

I also liked how you positioned yourself not just as a learner in your PLN, but as a contributor, through commenting, posting, and blogging. That active engagement really reflects the core purpose of PLNs as spaces for ongoing collaboration and reflection.

One thing I wonder is if you could expand slightly more on how you choose who to follow on platforms like TikTok or Instagram. With so much content out there, it would be interesting to hear what signals or strategies help you identify content that’s both high-quality and inclusive.

Overall, this post feels personal, well-organized, and thoughtfully aligned with the values of UDL and inclusive education. It’s a great example of how social media can be used intentionally to shape both teaching practice and professional growth.

💬Blog Post #3- Social Media, Digital Security, and Inclusion & Diversity in my PLN

This blog post does an excellent job of showing how a Personal Learning Network (PLN) can be built with real intention and applied to specific goals. The detailed table outlining how social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit are used for different learning purposes made the post especially relatable. It’s clear that your PLN isn’t just theoretical, it’s actually supporting your path toward becoming an optometrist in meaningful ways. The focus on accessible learning, such as engaging with health professionals online and using microlearning formats, really stood out to me. I hadn’t considered Reddit as a space for professional growth before, but seeing how you use those subreddits as a safe learning community was really insightful.

I also appreciated the depth of your section on digital privacy and ethics. The reference to “Terms of Service; Didn’t Read” was something I had never heard of before, and it seems like such a helpful tool to actually understand how platforms use our data. Your breakdown of concrete steps, like using VPNs, clearing cookies, and setting strong passwords, was both practical and easy to follow. It made me reflect on the areas where I could strengthen my own digital safety habits.

One thing I wonder is if you could expand slightly more on how you assess the credibility of health-related content on social media. With so much misinformation online, it might be helpful to hear what criteria you use to determine whether a source is trustworthy, especially when health is such a big part of your PLN. That could add an extra layer to your strong reflections on digital ethics.

Visually, the blog is well-structured and easy to navigate. I like the way the photos and headings break up the content without making it feel cluttered. Adding a small infographic or a screenshot of one of your favorite PLN accounts might bring more of your personalized learning approach to life visually.

Overall, this is a thorough and impressive post that connects digital tools, ethics, and inclusivity in a way that feels authentic and grounded in your goals.

• https://onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/gracezhang/

This blog post offers a clear and honest reflection on how PLNs, digital safety, and UDL apply beyond theory and into everyday learning and career development. What stood out right away was the way social media platforms were used with real intent, especially the breakdown of how LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram serve different learning needs. The Pinterest example was especially interesting to me, because I hadn’t fully considered how it could function as more than just inspiration. Thinking of it as a tool to organize creative learning adds a whole new dimension.

I also appreciated the practical approach to online safety. The connection between shaping a PLN and protecting our digital presence made a lot of sense. Turning on two-factor authentication and being mindful of platform policies are things I do as well, but this post reminded me how important it is to stay consistent with those habits. I also found the emphasis on ethical behavior online, like reporting inappropriate content instead of ignoring it, really important. It shows a strong understanding that learning communities rely on trust and shared responsibility.

One area that could be expanded on a bit more is the section about algorithmic bias. I wonder if sharing a specific example, like noticing repetitive content on Instagram or Pinterest, could make that idea even more relatable. It would also help show how conscious curation actually works in real time.

The layout of the post is super clear and easy to follow. I do wonder if adding one or two visuals, like a sample mood board or even a screenshot of a PLN in action, might support the content even more especially since visual learning is such a big theme.

Overall, the post is informative, well-organized, and connects theory with practice in a way that feels both personal and useful.

• Exploring Digital Identity and Ethics

Hi Chad,

I really enjoyed your post, it had such a thoughtful structure and made me reflect on my own approach to digital spaces. Your discussion on the ethical responsibility of how we present ourselves online was super insightful, especially your point about how our digital identities don’t exist in isolation, they ripple out and impact others too. That’s something I think a lot of us overlook.

Your use of clear headings made your points easy to digest, and I appreciated the balance between your personal reflections and the theoretical lens you applied. I also liked how you acknowledged the tension between personal branding and authenticity, it’s such a real struggle, especially in professional environments.

I wonder if you could take your post even further by including a specific example, maybe a personal story or moment where your digital identity was challenged or misunderstood? I think it would make your reflection even more powerful and relatable.

Great work overall!

• Blog Post 2: Identity Online

Hi Aashi,

I really appreciated your honest and relatable reflection on how social media can feel like a double-edged sword when it comes to expressing our identity. Your point about how we sometimes subconsciously curate ourselves to fit into what feels “acceptable” online really resonated with me. I liked how you brought in the idea of being more intentional and mindful in how we present ourselves digitally, it’s something I’ve been thinking about too.

One thing I found particularly strong was your observation about balancing self-expression with societal expectations. It’s such a hard line to walk, especially when you’re trying to be authentic but also cautious. I also liked your clean blog design, it makes your posts easy to follow!

I wonder if you could expand a bit more on how specific platforms influence identity differently, for example, how you might express yourself differently on Instagram versus LinkedIn? That might add an interesting layer to your reflection!

Thanks for sharing your voice 🙂

• https://islandteacheradventures.opened.ca/blog-3/

Hi Kathryn!

Thanks for sharing your blog, it was such an engaging and genuine read! I really liked how clearly you walked us through your teaching practicum experience at Spencer Middle School. The way you incorporated digital tools like Canva, Google Classroom, and Kahoot into your lesson planning really shows your initiative in creating interactive learning experiences. I also thought it was super helpful how you admitted to struggling with setting them up at first, it made your post feel honest and relatable.

Another part that really stood out to me was your reflection on maintaining a professional and personal online presence. I loved how you balance your authenticity with a sense of responsibility, especially in a field like teaching where both are so important. Your approach to using Instagram as a journaling and networking space was really inspiring.

I wonder if you could add a little more detail about the specific challenges you faced when using the tools for the first time, and maybe share what helped you get more comfortable with them? I think other new teachers might find that especially helpful!

Also, your site layout is super clean and easy to navigate. One small suggestion: maybe consider adding a more visible menu or category tabs at the top, it might help visitors find your posts a bit faster.

Overall, this was such a positive and well-rounded post. Thanks again for sharing your journey with us!

— Navya .

👋 Hello from the East Coast!

Hi Boshra,

Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful and inspiring post! I really appreciated how you blended your personal and professional experiences, it made your reflections feel so genuine and relatable. One thing that really stood out to me was your emphasis on how education isn’t linear. That point, along with your insights about parenting, trauma-informed practice, and community-based learning, helped me reflect on how much informal learning I’ve also gained outside traditional spaces.

Another part I found super helpful was your section on digital literacy. Your mention of using Canva for both school and your parenting brand showed how transferable these skills can be beyond the classroom. It reminded me that tools we’re learning in this course can support other parts of our lives, not just academics.

I worry that the post is so full of rich reflections that some readers might miss the connection to the course readings and resources. I wonder if you could include one or two more direct mentions of how specific ideas from the PLN or digital literacy readings influenced your thinking?

Also, I really liked the clean and calming layout of your blog. It reflects the thoughtful tone of your writing. I wonder if adding a few more visuals or headings might make your sections even easier to follow?

Overall, this was a beautiful read, thank you for being so open and intentional in how you shared your story. I’m excited to learn alongside you this term!

-Navya .

Blog Post #1- Social Media, Personalized Learning, & Digital Literacy

Hi Chelsey,

Thank you for sharing your blog! I really enjoyed reading it, especially how you brought in personal stories like your Instagram break and how that shift helped you feel more present. I also found your reflection on using social media with intention super relatable. Following accounts that align with your goals, like Opto-Mization, shows a great example of building a meaningful PLN (personal learning network).

One thing I appreciated about your post is how clearly you broke down the potential and limitations of social media in education. The section where you talked about the surface level nature of some content really stood out. I worry that this happens more often than we realize, and I wonder if you could expand on how students or educators can recognize when content is too simplified to be helpful. Maybe giving an example of a time when surface-level content misled you or someone else could make it even more impactful?

Also, your blog layout is really clean and inviting! The images are well-placed and add a personal touch. I did notice the site menu is a bit hard to find , maybe adding a more visible menu bar or clear category tabs could help readers navigate through your posts more easily.

Overall, I think you’ve done a great job. Just a quick reminder to double check the rubric to make sure all required media elements (like links and alt text) are included, just in case!

Looking forward to reading more from you!

– Navya