Inclusion, Communication, and My PLN Blog #3

kaisugi
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Before this week, I thought inclusion in my PLN simply meant following people with different opinions and backgrounds on social media. After engaging with the lecture video on PLN, diversity, and inclusion, I’ve realized that inclusion goes beyond exposure. It requires activity listening to different voices and being open to perspectives that challenge my own, without expecting everyone to think or communicate in the same way.

social media plays an important role in how communication is engaged within my PLN. Platforms such as YouTube allow ideas and experiences to be shared across communicates that may not otherwise interact. Through my PLN, I have been exposed to a variety of voices and viewpoints, which has helped broaden my understanding of inclusion and community engagement. As discussed in the course materials, social media has the potential to amplify diverse perspectives when it is used intentionally and thoughtfully.

At the same time, social media also challenges communication, particularly through the spread of misinformation. In President Obama’s speech on community communications, he explains that disinformation does not always appear as obvious falsehoods, but often as subtle manipulation mixed with accurate information. This can make it difficult to distinguish what is true and can negatively impact trust within communities. This discussion made me reflect on my own responsibility within a public PLN to think critically about the content I engage with and share.

In a professional context, maintaining a public PLN comes with additional responsibility. Employers often have expectations regarding online communication, which makes it important to be intentional and ethical when posting on social media. One key learning outcome of my PLN is understanding that being inclusive also means being careful about what I share online. A diverse and inclusive PLN not onlu helps amplify different perspectives, but also encourages responsible communication that positively impacts the broader community.

References

Five Moore Minutes. (2025). Inclusion is not assimilation: Understanding communities of identity and diversity. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IOGOE_qQfM

Obama, B. (2022). Obama addresses disinformation in speech at Stanford. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH6kq3HhjgQ

Clark, J., & Aufderheide, P. (n.d.). Media & social justice: A new vision for public media. Chapter 4.

One Comment

  1. I like that your perspective on inclusivity has changed and I feel very honest. The part about tolerance is not just about following people, it really makes sense. I also like this negative example as it demonstrates PLN’s true responsibility. Thanks for sharing.

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