Author: swoyam

Feature Photo by Ben Sweet on Unsplash

PLN Spaces Through Social Media

As a Computer Science student, I have actively used Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) through platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, and Twitter (X) to connect with industry professionals, educators, and like-minded peers. These platforms offer me opportunities to continue learning, collaborate, and share knowledge in ways that are difficult with traditional learning methods.

How I Use Social Media to Grow My PLN

I approach my PLN with a structured yet open-minded mindset, ensuring that I engage with content aligned with my academic and professional interests.

LinkedIn

I use LinkedIn to follow industry leaders, participate in discussions, and stay updated on topics such as machine learning, software development, and data science. I also network with professionals, seek career advice, and explore internship opportunities.

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Reddit

Subreddits like r/learnmachinelearning, r/cscareerquestions, and r/compsci provide valuable insights, discussions, and community-driven support. Whether troubleshooting a coding problem or discussing ethical data visualization, Reddit offers an interactive learning experience.

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GitHub & Discord Communities

While not traditional social media, GitHub and tech-focused Discord servers enable me to connect with developers working on open-source projects. These platforms provide hands-on experience and exposure to real-world coding practices.

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Benefits of Growing My PLN Through Social Media

• Access to Expertise: Engaging with professionals and subject matter experts provides insights beyond textbooks and helps me understand the practical applications of theories learned in class.
• Diverse Perspectives: Social media connects me with individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and cultures, offering varied viewpoints on industry trends, ethical considerations in AI, and best practices in software development.
• Real-Time Learning: Unlike traditional education, where course materials take time to update, social media provides real-time information on emerging technologies, coding challenges, and industry changes.
• Collaboration Opportunities: Through my PLN, I have found opportunities to contribute to open-source projects, participate in research initiatives, and join tech hackathons, which have helped me develop both technical and soft skills.

Privacy, Ethics, and Security in Digital Spaces

In today’s digital age, where online interactions play a significant role in both personal and professional spaces, maintaining privacy, ethical responsibility, and security is essential. As a Computer Science student, I actively implement strategies to protect my personal information, ensuring that I contribute to a safe and reliable online environment.

How I Protect My Information Online

The following is a video on personal information protection:

• Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): I use unique and complex passwords for different accounts and enable 2FA to add an extra layer of security. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
• Limiting Personal Information Sharing: I avoid posting sensitive data such as my full address, personal identification numbers, or detailed daily routines. Even on professional platforms like LinkedIn, I carefully choose what I share.
• Reviewing Privacy Settings: On social media and online platforms, I customize my privacy settings to ensure that only trusted individuals or relevant audiences can access my posts and information.
• Avoiding Phishing and Scams: I remain cautious of suspicious emails, messages, and links, verifying their authenticity before clicking or sharing them.

Ethical Practices I Follow in Digital Spaces

• Respecting the Privacy of Others: I never share someone else’s private information, messages, or content without their explicit consent.
• Avoiding Misinformation and False Information: Before sharing any content, I verify credible sources to prevent the spread of false or misleading information.
• Practicing Digital Integrity: Whether in academic work or online discussions, I properly cite sources, credit original creators, and avoid plagiarism or content manipulation.
• Engaging in Respectful Discussions: The internet fosters diverse opinions. I ensure that my interactions remain constructive, open-minded, and respectful, even in debates.

Why These Practices Are Important

Adopting strong privacy, ethical, and security habits is crucial for creating a safe and reliable digital environment because:

• They protect individuals from cyber threats, identity theft, and privacy violations.
• They promote a trustworthy environment where users feel safe online.
• They prevent misinformation from influencing society and communities.
• They encourage ethical digital interactions, ensuring that online spaces remain professional and respectful.

As a future technology professional, I recognize that my responsibility extends beyond protecting myself—it also involves contributing to safer and more ethical digital spaces for everyone. By continuing to follow best practices in privacy, ethics, and security, I aim to promote a more responsible and inclusive digital world.

Inclusivity and UDL in PLNs

A Personal Learning Network (PLN) is only as strong as the diversity it embraces. Inclusion in a PLN means ensuring that individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives feel valued, heard, and represented. As a Computer Science student and aspiring data scientist, I actively strive to create an inclusive PLN by engaging with diverse voices, supporting accessibility, and leveraging the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to make digital learning spaces more equitable.

How I Ensure That My PLN Is Inclusive

• Encouraging Open and Respectful Discussions: Whether on LinkedIn, Reddit, or Twitter (X), I make a conscious effort to actively listen, acknowledge different viewpoints, and contribute to respectful and meaningful conversations.

• Sharing Accessible Learning Resources: I aim to share educational materials in multiple formats, making them more accessible to individuals with different learning needs and preferences.

• Promoting Collaboration and Equal Opportunities: I support mentorship, open-source projects, and research groups that prioritize inclusion and create equal opportunities for all participants.

How the Principles of UDL Support Inclusion in Digital Learning Spaces

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) provides a structured approach to making digital spaces more accessible and inclusive. Its three fundamental principles—multiple means of engagement, representation, and action/expression—help shape a PLN that accommodates various learning styles and skills.

The following is a video on UDL in digital learning environments:

1. Multiple Means of Engagement (Motivating and Involving Learners): I create and engage with PLN content in a variety of ways, including videos, podcasts, discussion topics, and interactive platforms.
2. Multiple Means of Representation (Providing Information in Different Formats): I follow content creators who offer learning materials in various formats such as text, video, and audio, ensuring that information is accessible to people with different preferences or learning disabilities.
3. Multiple Means of Action and Expression (Encouraging Different Ways to Participate): I support learning platforms that offer various ways for individuals to ask questions, share information, and demonstrate their understanding beyond written answers.

Challenges and Importance of Diversity in Digital Learning

Diversity in digital learning is crucial for creating an environment where individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities can access and contribute to knowledge. However, challenges such as accessibility barriers, language limitations, and underrepresentation often hinder inclusion. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensuring that learning spaces are equitable, supportive, and effective for all.

Why Diversity in Digital Learning Is Important

• Broader Perspectives and Deeper Understanding: A diverse learning space incorporates multiple viewpoints, helping learners develop a broader understanding of global issues.
• Greater Accessibility and Learning Opportunities: Digital spaces that accommodate different learning styles, disabilities, and language needs ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to learn and succeed.
• Reduces Bias and Promotes Equity: Underrepresentation in digital learning spaces often results in narrow perspectives and biases in content. Ensuring diverse representation challenges stereotypes and promotes fairness in the dissemination of knowledge.

Steps to Promote a More Inclusive Digital Environment

1. Improve Accessibility Resources: Use closed captions, transcripts, and screen reader-friendly content to support individuals with visual or hearing impairments. Provide content in multiple formats (text, video, audio, interactive media) to accommodate different learning preferences.

2. Break Linguistic Barriers: Offer multilingual content and translation tools to ensure non-native speakers can access learning materials. Encourage culturally inclusive content that respects linguistic and regional diversity.

3. Encourage Inclusive Community Engagement: Implement guidelines for respectful communication to prevent discrimination and foster positive interactions.

Feature Photo by Samantha Borges on Unsplash

Digital Identity: Personal vs. Professional

To differentiate between personal and professional digital identies, I try to keep my personal and professional life seperate through use of different platforms for both of them with minor intersections. The following is a rough differentiation between my personal and professional digital identies:

• Personal Identity: My online presence for personal matters revolves around staying in touch with friends, family, and groups that share my interests. I use Instagram, Facebook, and Discord to socialize, have fun, and engage in my hobbies.

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• Professional Identity: When it comes to my professional life online, I focus on career growth, building connections, and showcasing my achievements. I use LinkedIn, GitHub, and Reddit to present my academic projects, technical skills, and for also asking technical questions.

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Maintaining Boundaries

The following are the steps I take to maintain boundaries and ensure my online presence aligns with my personal and career goals. 

• Separate Accounts: I use different accounts for my personal and professional life. My LinkedIn and GitHub highlight my work in computer science and career goals, while my Instagram and Facebook are more casual and personal.
• Content Filtering: I’m mindful of what I share on public platforms. When using sites that I use solely for as a professional identity (Linkedlin, and Github), I am careful to not post anything personal. Even for those blend both work and leisure (Discord), I ensure that my professional posts align with my career goals while keeping personal content private.
• Privacy Settings: I adjust my privacy settings to control who can view my personal content. At the same time, I keep my professional content publicly accessible to support networking and job opportunities.

The above practices help me to keep my online presence aligned with my personal and career goals through the following ways:

• Professional Branding: My LinkedIn profile includes a clear summary, work experience, skills, and projects that reflect my career goals in computer science. My GitHub showcases my coding projects, contributions, and collaborative work.
• Consistency in Representation: I maintain a consistent professional identity across platforms, ensuring that my skills, interests, and achievements are clearly presented on different websites.
• Enhancing Networking Opportunities: Some platforms offer visibility customization features that help attract the right professionals while minimizing spam and unwanted public exposure. For example, on LinkedIn, you can control who sees your updates and activities.

Importance of Keeping Personal and Professional Identities Separate

• Professionalism and Credibility: Employers and recruiters often review online profiles before making hiring decisions. Keeping a distinct professional identity ensures they see only relevant, career-focused content.
• Privacy and Security: Personal content may not always be suitable for professional networks. Maintaining separate identities protects privacy and prevents the unintentional sharing of non-professional content in professional spaces.
• Targeted Networking: A clear professional identity allows me to build meaningful connections with industry professionals, mentors, and recruiters, rather than mixing personal interactions with career-related discussions.
• Control Over Digital Footprint: A well-maintained professional presence helps establish a positive reputation, ensuring that my online activities reflect my expertise, interests, and professionalism.

Digital Visitor and Resident Map

Understanding of My Digital Identity

Through the digital map, it can be seen that I keep my personal (Instagram) and professional (LinkedIn, Reddit) accounts separate. This reflects the distinction between personal and professional digital identities, as discussed in above. The only outliers are Google searches and Discord. As I use google seaching a lot from searching things that make my daily life easier (personal) to academic and career oriented queries (professional). Whereas Discord is near the center suggesting moderate engagemen as it is used for both social, academic discussions and technical collaboration.

Platforms like Google Search and Reddit often encourage a “visitor” approach, where I primarily observe and gather information rather than actively contributing. On LinkedIn, I take on a visitor role most of the time, looking up jobs or networking rather than consistent posting. But I sometimes interact with or comment on relevent career oriented people and posts, hence leaning more to the right side. Personally, I have a very weak digital presence. The only clear resident platform I use is Instagram where I have posted a lot in the past while also commenting on others post. It is a space where people can recognize me more on a personal level.

How This Map Might Change Over Time

1. Shifting Toward Professionalism
   • As I progress in more into my career, I will possibly engage more actively on LinkedIn and GitHub, moving them further into the “resident” space.
   • Platforms like Quora, ResearchGate, or Medium may emerge as new additions where I could contribute knowledge professionally.
2. Reduced Use of Some Platforms
   • If my professional networking becomes a bigger priority, I might start using Instagram less frequently or more selectively.
   • I may also find myself using platforms like Reddit with a narrower focus, engaging more with specific communities rather than just casually browsing.

Impact on Online Interactions

• Greater participation in professional spaces may lead to more selective engagement, reducing casual browsing in favor of targeted networking.
• As I become more visible on professional platforms, I must carefully curate the content associated with my name in the digital space.
• Increased collaboration within professional communities—such as contributing to open-source projects on GitHub, engaging in LinkedIn discussions, or participating in research forums—can create opportunities for career growth and expansion.

Theories of Personalized Learning

Learning Experience

Constructivist learning theories and self-directed learning have significantly shaped my approach to education, enabling me to engage with material in ways that align with my interests and learning style. These theories emphasize active participation, critical thinking, and ownership of the learning process, which have been instrumental in my academic and professional growth.

1. Constructivist Learning Theory: It is learning by doing and actively building knowledge.

Constructivism emphasizes that students construct knowledge based on their experiences rather than passively receiving information. This theory has influenced my learning in the following ways:

• Project-Based Learning: Rather than simply absorbing theoretical concepts, I actively apply them to projects. For example:
  • In my data visualization class, I worked with real-world salary data instead of using sample datasets. This hands-on approach helped me develop practical skills relevant to my interests in computer science and machine learning.
  • My C++ ray tracing project allowed me to experiment with rendering algorithms and real-time graphics, reinforcing theoretical knowledge through direct application.

• Collaborative and Interactive Learning
  • Platforms like Discord, GitHub, and H5P enable me to interact with peers, discuss solutions, and contribute to coding repositories, making learning more dynamic and engaging.
  • Participating in discussions on Discord and Linkedlin has broadened my understanding beyond coursework by exposing me to diverse perspectives and real-world problem-solving strategies.

2. Self-Directed Learning Theory: It is taking ownership of learning and adapting it to personal interests.

Self-directed learning enables students to define their own learning goals, seek out resources, and evaluate their progress. This approach has influenced my learning experience in the following ways:

• Flexible Learning Paths: I utilize platforms like Coursera, Codecademy, and YouTube to supplement my coursework and learn topics at my own pace. This is particularly beneficial for machine learning and data science, where online courses often provide more hands-on exercises than traditional lecture-based learning.
• Adaptation to Career Goals: My ability to tailor coursework and projects toward data science, visualization, and algorithmic problem-solving has helped me align my learning with my long-term professional goals.

How Personalized Learning Shapes My Academic and Professional Goals

• Increased Engagement:
  • Being able to customize my learning experience has helped make coursework a lot more engaging and enjoyable.
  • Working with real-world data and collaborating on open-source projects while also taking self-paced online courses has made learning remain exciting and relevant.
• Enhanced Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Skills
  • The constructivist approach has strengthened my problem-solving abilities by encouraging hands-on experimentation and critical thinking.
  • Through self-directed learning, I actively seek out complex projects, enhancing my ability to work independently—an essential skill in both research and industry.
• Career Readiness and Continuous Learning
  • In the fields of computer science and machine learning, technologies evolve rapidly. The habit of self-directed learning ensures that I stay updated with industry trends and continue developing skills beyond the classroom.
  • My involvement in GitHub Science Projects, LinkedIn, and data-driven initiatives has helped me build a strong professional portfolio that aligns with my career aspirations.

Privacy, Surveillance, and Digital Footprint Awareness

Reflecting on My Digital Footprint

As an active user of various online platforms (GitHub, LinkedIn, Reddit, Discord, Instagram), I recognize that my digital presence spans both personal and professional spaces.

My GitHub and LinkedIn profiles are publicly accessible and carefully curated to reflect my skills, projects, and achievements.I contribute to discussions in technical forums such as Reddit and Discord, ensuring that my posts remain professional and constructive.

My Instagram and Facebook accounts are private, with limited public access to personal photos, location data, and personal interactions.I use Reddit and Quora mainly as a visitor, engaging in discussions while minimizing traceable personal data.

Steps I Take to Protect My Privacy

To minimize the risks associated with unauthorized surveillance, data breaches, and tracking, I follow these privacy-aware practices:

Controlling Public Information

• I regularly audit my privacy settings on social media and professional platforms to restrict unnecessary exposure.
• I avoid sharing personal identifiers (phone number, address, email) publicly and use separate emails for personal and professional accounts.
• I actively manage cookies and tracking permissions on websites to limit unnecessary data collection.

Using Safe Digital Practices

• I enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for critical accounts (email, GitHub, banking, and LinkedIn) to prevent unauthorized access.
• I use password managers to generate and store strong, unique passwords instead of reusing credentials.
• I stay vigilant against phishing scams and suspicious links to avoid falling victim to cyber threats.

Why Awareness of Privacy and Surveillance Is Important

The following is a video on digital privacy and security:

• Protection Against Data Exploitation: Companies and governments collect vast amounts of data for advertising, profiling, and even targeted surveillance. Without awareness, users may unknowingly allow unethical data harvesting.
• Protecting Personal and Professional Reputation: Employers, recruiters, and universities often review online profiles before making decisions. A negative or careless digital footprint can impact career opportunities, academic credibility, and personal relationships.
• Avoiding Cyber Threats and Identity Theft: Weak security practices can lead to hacked accounts, phishing attacks, and stolen credentials.

Practicing Good Digital Privacy Habits

✅ Think Before Posting: I ensure that all public posts align with my personal and professional identity, avoiding controversial or sensitive topics. I also make sure to avoid posting real-time location data to protect my personal safety.

✅ Regular Digital Footprint Audits: I review old accounts regularly, delete any unnecessary profiles, and ensure that outdated information is removed or updated.

✅ Respecting the Privacy of Others: I avoid tagging people or sharing private conversations without consent. I try to verify the accuracy of the information as much as I can before sharing it online. This is to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Feature Photo by Ralph Olazo on Unsplash

Introduction

Hello, my name is Swoyam Rajbhandari and I am an undergraduate in the program of Computer Science, currently in my 4th year. I am an international student from Nepal and am looking forward to having this class with you all.

Moving to a new country for studies was both an exciting and challenging experience. Adapting to a completely different education system, culture, and language taught me the values of resilience and resourcefulness. These experiences have shaped me into a more independent learner and a better problem solver—qualities that are invaluable in Computer Science.

Social Media and Its Role in Education:

I have found Reddit and Quora to be particularly useful for building connections and learning. I use both platforms quite frequently. Whether it’s understanding concepts I find challenging or simply exploring topics I’m curious about, the answers are often just a few query searches away. While not all questions are answered as clearly as I would like, it’s still much better than navigating in the dark.

Additionally, shorts or links that appear while leisurely scrolling through these platforms often introduce me to discussions led by experts sharing their knowledge. This not only increases my own understanding and interest but also helps me discover accounts and communities dedicated to teaching specific subjects or topics. Through these connections, I’ve been able to build relationships with people who share similar expertise or interests.

Furthermore, in a general sense, social media can make learning more engaging by incorporating multimedia, interactivity, and collaboration in the following ways:

• Interactive Content: Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit allow educators to create short, engaging videos that explain complex topics, catering to shorter attention spans.
• Discussion Forums: Facebook groups and Twitter threads encourage debates, idea-sharing, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Live Learning Events: Features such as Instagram Lives or Twitter Spaces can be used for Q&A sessions or guest lectures.
• Project Collaboration: Platforms like Pinterest facilitate brainstorming and organizing collaborative educational projects.

Advantages of Social Media in Education

• Accessibility: Social media can provide students with access to a vast array of learning materials anytime and anywhere.
• Community Building: It enables students and educators to collaborate and establish supportive networks.
• Multi-Resource Learning: Social media complements traditional learning tools by incorporating videos, podcasts, and interactive quizzes.
• Real-Life Skills: It fosters digital literacy, online etiquette, and networking.

Challenges of Social Media Use in Education

• Distractions: Many social media platforms are primarily oriented toward entertainment rather than education, making it difficult for students to stay focused on learning-related content.
• Misinformation: Students may rely on unreliable sources, leading to the spread of incorrect or misleading information.
• Privacy Issues: Sharing educational content and personal data online raises concerns about security and privacy.

Personalized Learning and Digital Literacies:

Being a 4th-year undergraduate in computer science, I have been able to feel the benefits of personalized learning and digital literacy for myself.

Personalized learning has given me a motivational atmosphere, helping me gain experiences that maximize my strengths in alignment with my interests, and career orientations. For instance, during a data visualization class project, instead of working with sample data provided within class, I was allowed to use real-world data I felt interested in, like university salary and STEM education. This independence in planning what will engage you the most is what really makes it worth acquiring skills relevant to my area of study.

Digital literacy is important today because, in every field, be it education, work, or even personal development, we use a lot of technology. Digital literacy means using technology effectively, but also perceptively online for credibility and reliability. For example, knowledge of how to use collaborative tools like Jupyter Notebooks and navigate repositories like GitHub is critical for both academic and professional success in computer science. It also allows me to stay updated with the latest developments in this fast-evolving industry.

Personalized Learning in my education:-

The most influential throughout my curriculum is personalized learning, especially adaptive coding exercises. For instance, in machine learning, systems like Codecademy and Coursera will build customized lessons based on my performance. This keeps me engaged and able to focus on areas which require further attention, making learning more effective and enjoyable.

Digital literacy in my education:-

Digital literacy has empowered me to make practical use of technology in various academic and personal projects. Some them are:

1. I used version control systems like Git for the effective management of codes in group assignments.
2. I did online research about state-of-the-art algorithms on projects, such as rendering a bunny model using C++.
3. I also created online interactive learning content using H5P to show how to meld technology into learning content.

Equally important, Personalized Learning and Digital Literacy are the interrelated parts of my academic luggage that finally prepared and inspired me for success in the world of work.

Digital Identity and Online Presence:

Most of my digital identities, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, are primarily personal and non-educational in nature, serving as platforms to connect with family and friends. On the other hand, platforms like Reddit, Quora, Discord, Github, Linkedlin are more focused on my educational pursuits.

I use Reddit and Quora mainly to ask questions or browse through existing content related to topics of interest. Discord, however, is where I engage with course-specific channels, participate in class discussions, and exchange digital educational materials. This platform also helps me build connections with my peers and collaborate on academic tasks. Also, I have Linkedlin and Github to manage my digital identity that carefully curates my online profiles, interactions, and shared content to reflect my academic and professional goals. For example, my GitHub profile showcases my coding projects and contributions, demonstrating my skills to potential employers.

Maintaining a Positive Web Presence:

• Professional Content: I try to maintain social media posts that are relevant and aligned with my professional goals in fields such as computer science, especially machine learning (Linkedlin, Github).
• Branding Consistency: Consistent branding across profiles, such as LinkedIn, GitHub, and university platforms, is important. This includes concise descriptions of my skills and interests.
• Engagement: Actively participating in online communities with a positive and respectful attitude while avoiding controversial or negative discussions.
• Updates: Regularly updating profiles with recent achievements, certifications, and projects to keep them current and reflective of my growth.

A strong web presence is essential because it shapes how others perceive me and can directly influence post-graduation opportunities. In today’s job market, having a digitally active and well-maintained online presence creates a positive impression on recruiters and collaborators. It fosters trust and credibility—qualities that are vital in both academic and professional settings.

Navigating and Using Online Platforms Ethically: 

Learning about new digital platforms has been essential to my academic and professional development. For example, I have gained proficiency in using platforms like GitHub for version control, Jupyter Notebooks for data analysis, and H5P for creating interactive learning content in various projects. Although there was initially a learning curve in understanding their features and best practices, I overcame it by watching online tutorials, participating in forums, and experimenting hands-on.

Why Should One Be Watchful About What They Post and Share?

Being mindful of what you post and share online is essential because:

• Professional Reputation: Employers and collaborators often review online profiles. Inappropriate or misleading content can harm your reputation and delay opportunities.
• Privacy: Sharing personal information indiscriminately exposes you to risks such as identity theft or harassment.
• Accuracy: Sharing false or unverified information damages your credibility and contributes to the spread of misinformation.

Example: I ensure my GitHub and LinkedIn profiles only include accurate descriptions of my achievements, without exaggerations or inappropriate content. Additionally, I avoid disclosing sensitive or personal information on public platforms.

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How Do Ethical Practices Help Build a Positive Online Community?

Ethical practices foster a secure and respectful online environment by promoting trust, collaboration, and inclusivity.

• Respectful Communication: Engaging politely with others, even when disagreeing, encourages open dialogue and positive interactions.
• Credibility: Sharing accurate, well-sourced information helps limit the spread of fake news and builds trust within the community.
• Collaboration: Contributing constructively, such as answering questions in forums or sharing resources, enriches the community and supports collective growth.
• Attribution: Giving credit where it’s due acknowledges the efforts of others, fostering mutual respect and appreciation.