Author: khadijahilali

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Building Inclusive and Ethical Learning Networks in the Digital Age

We live in a digital world where learning does not stop in the classroom. Thanks to social media, we now have the power to grow our knowledge by building Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) intentional online communities that help us grow through connection and collaboration.

A PLN (Personal Learning Network) is a group of people you connect with to learn, grow, and share professional interests, ideas, and resources.

Green, 2020

From TikTok tips on productivity to deep academic conversations on LinkedIn, PLNs are reshaping how we learn. Below is a comparison of the platforms I’ve used in building mine.

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PLN Platform Comparison Table

Platform	How I Use It for Learning & Growth	Strengths	Considerations
LinkedIn	Follow experts in psychology, law, and education. Join professional groups and engage in career-focused discussions.	Professional, structured, great for networking.	Less casual, limited creative content.
Instagram	Follow student mentors, wellness pages, and academic infographics. Engage with reels and stories.	Visually engaging, quick tips, large audiences.	Algorithms may limit reach to diverse voices.
TikTok	Watch “StudyTok,” mental health tips, productivity hacks, and mini career Q&As.	Highly relatable, digestible, entertaining.	Time-consuming, misinformation risk.
Reddit	Join communities like r/AskAcademia or r/psychology for peer insights and honest experiences.	Anonymity encourages open sharing.	Quality of information varies.
X / Twitter	Keep up with real-time academic news, conference threads, and policy debates.	Fast-paced, global ideas.	Easy to get lost in noise.

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Privacy, Ethics, and Security in Digital Spaces

In building PLNs, we also need to protect ourselves and others. Here are some personal strategies I use in my life:

• Strong passwords and two-factor authentication for all platforms
• Think before I post or reshare: Is it true? Is it respectful?
• Avoid oversharing personal information
• Stay informed about platform privacy settings and updates (check yours here)

These practices not only keep me safe but also foster trust in digital communities.

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Making PLNs Inclusive

I believe that strong PLN is one that represents many voices. Here’s how I aim for inclusivity:

• Follow creators from different cultural backgrounds, languages, and identities
• Engage with social justice content to stay informed and self-aware
• Support accessible content (captions)
• Diversifying who I listen to, even if I disagree

Inclusivity also means rethinking how we design learning spaces. This is where Universal Design for Learning (UDL) comes in.

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What is UDL and Why Should We Care?

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an educational framework that makes learning more accessible for everyone, especially in digital spaces.

Government of Canada, 2024

3 key principles:

Principle	What it Means	Example in a PLN
Multiple Means of Engagement	Offer different ways to stay motivated	Using polls, reels, or live chats to boost interaction
Multiple Means of Representation	Present content in many formats	Infographics, videos, audio, written text
Multiple Means of Action & Expression	Allow various ways to respond or contribute	Duets on TikTok, commenting, blogging, or DMs

As CAST (n.d.) explains, applying UDL helps ensure every learner feels seen and supported, whether you’re neurodivergent, ESL, or just someone with a unique learning style.

Want to learn more about UDL? Visit UDL Guidelines.

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Digital Learning Isn’t Always Inclusive. But It Can Be!

Despite all this potential, digital learning still has issues:

• Some platforms lack screen reader support
• Algorithms may favor dominant cultural narratives
• Marginalized voices are often drowned out

But we can help change that. Here’s what I do, and what I encourage others to try:

• Use alt-text and image descriptions
• Caption all video content
• Credit diverse creators and highlight underrepresented voices
• Push platforms to improve their accessibility tools

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Final Thoughts

Creating and maintaining a PLN is an ongoing process. It’s more than hitting “follow.” It’s about being ethical and inclusive. Social media can be a powerful tool when used right. With UDL as a guide and diversity at the core, we can build spaces where learning is accessible to everyone.

Let’s keep learning, and let’s do it together.

Drop a comment or share a tool you use in your PLN!

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References

CAST, Inc. (n.d.). The UDL guidelines. The UDL Guidelines. https://udlguidelines.cast.org/

Cathy L. Green, O. S. U. (2020, August 28). Personal learning networks: Defining and building a PLN. Learning in the Digital Age. https://open.library.okstate.edu/learninginthedigitalage/chapter/personal-learning-networks_defining-and-building-a-pln/

Government of Canada. (2024, August 26). Government of Canada. Digital Accessibility Toolkit. https://a11y.canada.ca/en/universal-design-for-learning-udl/

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Hi Everyone 🙂

My name is Khadija Hilali, and I am currently a third-year Psychology and Business student at the University of Victoria. Over the past couple of years, my educational path has been influenced by both traditional learning and by digital tools and platforms. Volunteering as a tutor, working as a communication assistant, and managing university social media accounts have all helped me see the impact of technology on how we learn, communicate, and grow.

Social Media and Its Role in Education

For me, social media has been both a personal outlet and an academic tool. I have used Instagram to find study tips, TikTok for tutorials, and YouTube for staying updated on world events that often come up in class discussions.

I think that in education, social media can:

• Help in engagement through interactive learning (for example, polls or Q&As).
• Create learning communities.
• Make information more accessible.

But I also think that it can:

• Be Distractive.
• Contains misinformation.
• Pressure to present “perfection”.

Balancing social use and education is key!

Follow: https://www.instagram.com/universityofvictoria/?hl=en to see how educational content is shared in real time.

Personalized Learning & Digital Literacies

I, as an individual, have always learned best when I can go at my own pace. Personalized learning tools like Khan Academy help me stay motivated by giving me immediate feedback and setting achievable goals.

Also, digital literacy is as important. Whether it’s evaluating sources for a research paper or understanding how algorithms affect what content I see online, digital literacy gives me the critical thinking tools I need.

Some tools I’ve used that support this:

• Notion for organizing notes and to-do lists.
• Quizlet to improve test taking.
• Google Scholar and UVic Libraries for credible research.

Digital Identity & Online Presence

I try to be smart about my digital footprint. I use privacy settings, post mindfully, and keep my professional content separate from personal social media.

This matters to me because my digital identity can often be the first impression people have of me, whether it’s a future employer, classmate, or collaborator. I want my online presence to reflect my interests, goals, and values in a way that feels true and respectful.

Ethical Navigation of Online Platforms

Learning how to use platforms like Brightspace, Canva, and Zoom didn’t come naturally; it took time. But learning these tools taught me how to adapt, ask questions, and support others who might be struggling.

Being ethical online to me means:

• Crediting sources.
• Avoiding plagiarism.
• Not reposting harmful or false content.
• Respecting others’ privacy.

By following these guidelines, I can make online space safer, more inclusive, and productive for everyone.

Final Thoughts

In this course, I hope to continue building my digital identity, sharpening my digital skills, and exploring how technology can support personalized and ethical learning.

Thanks for reading, feel free to comment or connect!