Response to Melissa’s post on “Building My Personal Learning Network Through Social Media”

Hi Melissa! 

I really enjoyed reading your blog. The short YouTube video explaining what a Personal Learning Network is was very helpful. It was a clear and concise explanation of the concept. I think it would have been even more effective if you had included the video earlier in your post, before discussing your personal use of PLNs, so that readers had a clear definition upfront. 

I liked how you emphasized multiple means of engagement, representation, and action when discussing Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Multiple means of engagement are something I think about often when teaching, to ensure that students are involved and have different ways to interact with the material. It’s such a great way to include a variety of learners and help them recognize their strengths. 

Multiple means of representation can sometimes be more challenging. I really have to think more intentionally about it. For example, when I post a video, I try to remember to add closed captioning, and when writing something, I make sure the font is large and clear enough for every student. It’s so important to think outside ourselves and consider the needs of diverse learners. Thank you for your post!

Response to Khadijah’s Post on “Making Digital Spaces Inclusive and Ethical”

Hi Khadijah! 

I really enjoyed reading your blog. The layout was very easy to follow, and I liked that you started off with your own definition of a PLN and then backed it up with a definition from Green (2020), it really supported what you were saying in an academic way. 

The table comparing the platforms and how you use them for learning and growth was super informative and a great way to organize your thoughts. I appreciated that you included considerations in addition to the strengths. I totally agree with what you said about Instagram’s algorithms being something to think about when it comes to reaching diverse voices. When the algorithm is personalized, it can actually limit exposure to different perspectives. 

When you transitioned to talking about UDL, I thought it was great that you included a definition from the Government of Canada and followed up with a table explaining the key principles. That was a really clear way to introduce a new topic. 

The screenshot you added felt a bit out of place; I wonder if you could explain what the image means or how it connects to your content. I’d also suggest maybe adding a video to give the post a bit more variety. Thank you for your insightful post about diversity online!

Response to Karen’s Post on “Building My Personal Learning Network”

Hi Karen! 

I really enjoyed reading your blog! I thought your explanation of what a Personal Learning Network was super clear and I really liked how you highlighted both the formal and informal tools. The table you included made the differences between both types of learning very easy to understand.

It was very interesting to hear about how networking has been the best way for you to build your PLN. I’m trying to get into LinkedIn more myself, so it was nice to hear how you’ve been using it to make connections through conferences and academic events. It gave me some good ideas for how I might use it more intentionally. 

I wonder if you could expand a bit more on how specific digital tools have helped you connect with others or grow your learning. That might help readers apply your strategies in their own PLN building. 

Your blog is well-organized and I love how you end each blog with your key takeaways with a photo in the background. Overall, this was a great post! 

Response to Sai’s Post on “Drawing the Line: Managing Your Personal and Professional Digital Identities”

Hi Sai!

I really liked how you clearly explained the differences between personal and professional digital identities. Your point about setting boundaries between the two stood out to me. It made me reflect on how I present myself online and how even casual posts can impact how others perceive me. 

The section on digital footprints was very eye-opening. I think a lot of people, myself included, forget that even a single post can leave a lasting impression. You had very practical tips like googling your own name and being intentional about privacy settings. 

I also appreciated your focus on digital professionalism. It’s so true that employers and professors check online profiles, and to remember to be mindful about how we engage online. 

One thing I’d love to hear more about is how you personally manage the balance between your personal and professional identity online. You could add an example from your own experience or share your digital identity map. Overall, I learned a lot from your post!

Response to Karen’s Post “Examining Personalized Learning and Digital Identity”

Hi Karen!

I really enjoyed reading your post! The spelling test example helped me understand personalized learning right away. It was such an effective way to explain it and start your post by engaging the reader. I also liked the way you organized your post; it flowed well and made each section easy to follow. 

I found it interesting that you marked Instagram more as a visitor space. I’d consider myself more of a resident on Instagram since I frequently post photos and share things online. It’s cool to see how we use the same platform in different ways. One piece of feedback I have is that I would love to hear more about why you placed your apps where you did on your digital identity map. I was curious to learn more about your thought process behind those choices. 

You also brought up an important point about the challenges with personalized learning, especially issues of equity and access. I think it’s worth considering how schools can create personalized experiences without relying solely on expensive technology. Finding resources that are low in technology and cost, yet still offer choice and flexibility, is important for accessibility. Thank you for your post!

Response to Khadija’s Post “Building My Digital Self: From Student to Online Learner”

Hi Khadija! 

I really enjoyed reading your blog post! I really like the colors that you added to your post and the spacing between each paragraph made it easy for me as a reader to view your post. The whole post was very organized, which made it easy to stay focused on your content. 

I also loved that you mentioned using Notion! I have used it for school also and I agree it is such a great tool for keeping everything organized in one place. I appreciated that you included suggestions for digital tools that have worked well for you. To take that even further, it might be interesting to include a simple table or chart that outlines the tools and how they support digital literacy. That could be a really effective way to organize your recommendations and make them even easier for readers to understand and try out themselves. 

A suggestion that I have is to add more photos or videos to engage the reader even more. Overall, I learned a lot and really enjoyed reading your post!

Response to Sai’s blog, “From Scrolling to Studying: Social Media’s Impact on My Education”

Hi Sai! 

I really enjoyed reading your blog and hearing about how social media has influenced your education. I liked how you balanced the benefits and challenges of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. The examples you gave like joining online study groups showed how social media can be a valuable educational tool rather than a distraction. 

I appreciated how you connected Shauna Bedley’s ideas to your own experience with digital literacy. It was powerful to read how this inspired you to change your habits and engage more intentionally with the digital world. 

One small suggestion I have is to consider adding more visuals, like photos or even screenshots of helpful study tools. These could break up the text a bit and draw readers in. Overall, you did a great job, and I learned a lot from your post!

Response to Karen’s blog “Welcome to my first Blog Post in EDCI Learning”

Hi Karen! 

I loved your blog, Island in the Sun is such a perfect summer song! It’s always on my playlist at this time of year. I also really related to what you shared about struggling with study habits and using social media as a distraction. It’s something I’ve worked on too, so I appreciated your honesty and reflection. 

I thought it was great that you didn’t just focus on the negatives, but also highlighted how social media can be used as a meaningful learning and connection tool. The chart listing the positive and negative effects was super clear and helpful, such a great way to organize your ideas. 

If you are looking to build more interaction with readers, maybe try ending with a question to spark conversation in the comments. I am looking forward to working with you and reading more of your posts!