According to commonsense education (2017), educators only need three ways to personalize their professional learning networks. Following others and getting connected with others, getting inspired and trying something new, giving feedbacks and comments, and sharing with others can help instructors to personalize their PLNs. Therefore, tons of media platforms are beneficial in education.

Which social media platforms are beneficial in education?

Hildebrandt and Couros (2016) argued that various of social media platforms are beneficial in education, such as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, WordPress, etc. Understanding how these social media work and how these tools be used together and how learners master these social tools plays a vital role in education. In addition, interpersonal relationships in personal learning networks and professional learning networks are strengthened through various levels and forms of interaction on these social media platforms. In addition to the creation of content, the feedback to others’ contributions is equal. Furthermore, it is important for social contact and communication. Providing feedback and opinions, participating in digital conferences, or contributing community resources can enhance your PLNs.

As mentioned above, social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, WordPress, etc. are beneficial in education. Every learner can use these social media platforms to expand and strengthen their PLNs. Engaging in online chat and message boards, communicate with people in different industries on Twitter and Instagram can help you build a dynamic interpersonal network. By searching hashtag in Twitter and Instagram help you locate the information and resource you are looking for. Using L&D community to post questions about topics and learning content on Twitter or community on Google+ can help learners and instructors discussing, collaborating, and practicing. Learners and educators can use YouTube and Google Drive to post and share tons of learning resources, videos, etc. They can also use WordPress to write blogs or create self-portfolios on different topics. To sum up, learners can use social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, WordPress, etc. for facilitating various types of learning and educators can also use these social media platforms for achieving different kinds of teaching possibilities. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, WordPress, etc. bring various benefits for both learners and educators.

When working with the vulnerable sector, how does social media fit into professionalism and regulations?

It is crucial and challenging for social media to provide an accessible design and inclusive community on social media platforms for them when working with the vulnerable sector. On the one hand, the social media platforms could provide an accessible design for the vulnerable sectors. That is, all learners could access the social media platforms without facing any barriers. First, an accessible design includes clear and intuitive structure, mobile-friendly design for every person. In addition, an accessible design also includes comprehensive application features, social collaboration tools, multimedia integration, and compatible browser supporting.

On the other hand, an inclusive community can help vulnerable sectors have a sense of belongings. That means all learners, regardless of their nationality, gender, sexual orientation, political orientation, and education level, etc., could feel supported intellectually and academically when using these social media platforms. First, an inclusive social media platform means that all users are free to express their views, post videos, comment, forward and like other people’s viewpoints and videos. Moreover, an inclusive social media platform can provide all users a place to ask questions, discuss, collaborate, and create and share ideas any time. Furthermore, a comfortable online social media platform community could make all users feel a sense of belonging, participation, collaboration, and feel free to express their opinions and feel connected with others. Overall, providing an accessible and inclusive platform plays a significant role for social media to fit into professionalism and regulations.

In conclusion, social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, WordPress, etc. are beneficial in education. For social media, it is very important to provide users with a barrier-free design and inclusive community on social media platforms when working with the vulnerable groups.

Reference
Hildebrandt, K., & Couros, A. (2016). Emergence and Innovation in Digital Learning (1st ed., pp. 159-177). George Veletsianos. https://doi.org/10.15215/aupress/9781771991490.01
[Common Sense Education]. (2017, July 21). What’s a PLN? And 3 Ways Teachers Can Get Connected [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju54C5A3RCw&t=1s