Brad Baker

This week in class we explored the themes of PLN in professional settings through an interview with Brad Baker (Miller and Baker, 2021). Baker is a principal in the North Vancouver School district as well as member and appointed trustee of the Squamish nation. Within his district, he oversees the Indigenous Education Programs, Safe and Care Program and is a member of the Anti-Racism committee. 

Themes of PLNs in Professional Capacity

A Professional Learning Network allows individuals to connect with one another, share information, collaborate, ask questions, and explore topics outside of a traditional classroom setting. A PLN can be utilized for learning, professional development or forming friendships with likeminded people. 

In an interview with Miller and Baker (2021), Baker mentions important themes of PLN in a professional setting. Some of which include:

• Promoting open and inclusive discussions- granting a platform for respectful dialogue
• Advocacy- provides a space for people to advocate against racism, hate speech, better educational system 
• Story telling- giving a platform for people to tell their story (ie. giving a voice to the Indigenous communities so they could discuss topics such as truth and reconciliation)
• Building connections with people- develop a sense of community 

Beneficial Social Media Platforms in Education

An important component that comes with learning is open-mindedness. I think it’s vital as a student to be willing to hear alternative perspectives and reflect on it. In that sense, platforms such as: Twitter, Tiktok and Facebook are useful. 

• Twitter- In the recent years we’ve seen twitter used heavily in many fields from scientific research to celebrity gossip to political platforms such as the US presidential election. Hashtag and tags allow viewers to find material/ content in a selective category of interest.
• Facebook- People can join Facebook groups online and meet likeminded people. (ie. university clubs, Victoria housing groups, etc.)
• Tiktok– Mainstream platform that became popularized in the recent year. Allows people to explore themes of creativity, film-making by recording a short video meant to grasp attention in a short period of time. It’s likened to the app “Vine” that was once popular. 

YouTube is also a vital resource. 

• YouTube- Teachers have integrated YouTube videos into teaching. Finding a short, animated video of a complex topic introduced in class is useful in grasping student attention and simplifying hard to grasp topics. As a student, I often watch YouTube videos to further expand my understanding. Outside of school, YouTube is a great resource for learning a broad range of things (ie. how to change a car tire, language learning, how to paint, etc.).

Integrating Social Media into Medicine

Health professionals utilize social media as a vital resource in improving patient care, professional development and networking. 

According to George et al. (2013), networked platforms within medicine allows for:

• Improvement of Communication with Patients- accessible information online allows patients to formulate good questions to ask their physician, drive awareness, allow people to seek help earlier
• Enhanced Professional Development- allows doctors to learn from their peers, address challenges, consult one another about a difficult case
• Contribution to Research and Health Service- provide a space for other medical professional to provide input and build upon the work of others 

Social Media Professionalism and Regulation within the Vulnerable Sector: Implementation of Social Media Teaching

Social media opens opportunities for: participation, collaboration, exploring new themes, learning, and open discussion. Networked public have provided a sense of security for many to express their thoughts. 

However, as it often occurs behind a screen, there’s the change that people could feel comfortable harassing others, bullying, posting hate speech online under the security of anonymity. Children are often exposed to this through online gaming and social media access. As George et al. (2013) mentioned, there are risks of using social media in medicine. Some of which include breach of privacy leading to liability charges, and potential removal of medical licenses. 

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have implemented rules against hate speech, bullying and frauds/ scams. Nonetheless, it’s important to note that people utilizing social media should always approach it with mindfulness and a degree of professionalism because networked publics are accessible and some of the things posted online can easily reach a underaged child and be harmful. Words hold a lot of weight, take the time to think before posting anything online. 

References

George, D. R., Roviniak, L. S., & Kraschnewski, J. L. (2013). Dangers and Opportunities for Social Media in Medicine. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, 56(3), 453–462. https://doi.org/10.1097/GRF.0b013e318297dc38

Miller, J., & Baker, B. (2021). Brad Baker EDCI 338. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5z8iHxW2n4&ab_channel=MILLER