Adam's home stretch

I think this might be my final blog post of the term, which feels a bit bittersweet. As we wrap up, I wanted to reflect on Personal Learning Networks (PLNs), especially since our final paper focused on how we engage with them. For me, PLNs are the pinnacle of informal learning. That might be a subjective take, but it’s one I fully stand by. I turn to my PLN (primarily spread across Reddit and YouTube) whenever I want to learn something new. Most recently, I leaned on it heavily while building my new computer (pictured), and I truly don’t think I would’ve succeeded without the support and advice I found there. In my paper, I mentioned how easily I get discouraged when I struggle with things that seem like they should be simple, like bowling. You just roll the ball straight down the lane, right? And yet, I can’t seem to get it right no matter how hard I try. It’s frustrating. And like many people, when I get frustrated, I start to spiral, or “crash out,” as the kids say. The last thing I...

Let's get preachy about our "global community" on the internet. We have the tools to connect with anyone in the world thanks to modern advances in tech. Things like instant translation, global social platforms, and communities built around shared interests have opened so many doors for us to engage across borders. Across oceans! But having the tools doesn’t mean we’re using them meaningfully. Despite the appearance of a borderless digital space, many of us stay within the same familiar circles that mirror our own language, culture, or region. Even when we engage on “global” platforms, our networks are often shaped by algorithms that prioritize what’s comfortable and familiar, so we mostly interact with people who think like us, live near us, or speak our language.  Now, this might not be true depending on how the algorithm has defined  you  personally. Folks who truly engage in a global community might, in turn, have their algorithm offer less localized suggestions. Eithe...

I was an early adopter of social media back when it first started to get traction. I remember joining Facebook back when you needed a university email and spending far too much time optimizing my MySpace page so that animated gifs and music would play. Over time, the fun began to fade, and it all became too noisy and draining. I don't really like social media, what with how it is used today. Hell, I see people doing disruptive dances in public with full-on lighting rigs and phone stands, and it reinforces the idea that there are some large swaths of social media that really, really, really aren't for me. And while regrettable, I have deliberately walked through those videos and ruined their takes. In my defense, if you're going to post up near a mall escalator (in a high traffic area) and block walking areas with filming set-ups, then yeah, you're probably going to inconvenience people to the point where they walk through your frame. ANYWAY lately, I’ve been wondering: ...

Media literacy has never been more important than it is right now. In a world where anyone with a phone can create a headline and call it truth, the ability to think critically about what we read, watch, and share is essential. The so-called “fake news” era has blurred the line between fact and opinion, making it dangerously easy to spread misinformation. Worse, it’s not just fringe conspiracy sites fueling the problem, but also major household-name media outlets that people assume are trustworthy simply because they’ve been around forever. Take Fox News, for example. Their $787 million defamation settlement is proof that even legacy media have no qualms about lying to their audiences. And yet, many viewers still take their reporting at face value. That’s the scary part, in my opinion. People are so used to seeing these logos on their screens that they’ve stopped questioning what’s behind the headline. We scroll, we share, we move on. Rarely do we pause to ask: Who wrote this? Why was ...

While doing my weekly school reading, I came across the idea that digital platforms can empower grassroots activists by giving them space to challenge the top-down narratives often pushed by mainstream media. We see this play out on TikTok, where creators like Under the Desk News use short-form video to offer alternative perspectives, spotlight underreported stories, and provide context with clarity and compassion. It reinforces the notion that platforms like TikTok are more than just entertainment. When properly leveraged, TikTok can be a tool for amplifying marginalized voices in a media landscape often dominated by polarized and corporate-driven coverage. These creators are reframing current events in real time, bypassing traditional gatekeepers and empowering audiences to question, learn, and act. It’s grassroots journalism for the Web 2.0 generation, and I’m here for it. This kind of digital activism reflects a broader shift in how people consume and trust information. More and ...

A quick thought that occurred to me while I was reading is that as educators and instructional designers, we play a big part in shaping how students engage with the digital world. It isn’t good enough to introduce new tools or platforms and then leave learners on their own to navigate those spaces without context or support. This won't instruct learners on how to be responsible in digital spaces; That responsibility falls to those developing or facilitating instruction. That said, we need to be more than facilitators - we need to be shepherds who guide learners in how to use digital tools ethically, safely, and thoughtfully. How? I think that a good first step is to model positive digital behavior ourselves. Lead by example through mindful communication, cite sources, and engage responsibly in online communities. Moreover, we should try to establish safe learning spaces for students that promote respect and inclusion. When students are given room to explore without fear of public ...