My PLN values diversity and inclusivity because we want to make it strong for everyone. Inclusivity in PLN is about supporting and providing opportunities for all members in the network to access and contribute, using their experiences and educational content, to make learning better and effective. The PLN is diverse because it includes people from different background, age, disability status, gender, and race. It doesn’t matter who you are, all that matters is your contribution to the network and the value you bring to it.

Source: open.edu/openlearncreate

For students who struggle to create multimedia designs or blogs, we support them to ensure that they gain new skills that they need in their profession. We discuss different topics while ensuring that everyone feels equally respected, valued, and welcomed in the network. Our PLN uses the social media networks such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube to ensure that everyone participates in the learning regardless of their disability status. Inclusivity and diversity in the network happens through attending, understanding, and accepting student differences, which include academic, emotional, physical, cognitive, and social (Moore, 2017). Inclusion does not mean that members cannot spend time outside the regular network setting, because they may need particular interventions outside the learning settings. For example, there are online students who attend therapy because of their cognitive needs. Also, some foreign students attend additional classes to improve their English, both written and spoken, but they are still allowed to participate in the network despite their English proficiency.

EDCI 338 interview with Shelley Moore

The social media is a great tool for building inclusion and diversity in our PLN. For instance, some students learn better using pictures and videos while others learn better through infographics, music, and practice. The social media is helping us to use different tools to help everyone to learn in the way they feel comfortable (EDCI 338 interview video, 2021). This ensures that all members equally benefit within an inclusive environment. We will also look forward to increase diversity and inclusion in the team by involving more diverse students in the network.

References

Moore, S. (2017). One without the other: Stories of unity through diversity and inclusion (Vol. 1). Portage & Main Press. Introduction (Page 6-10) & Part 1 (Page 11-12). https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/lib/uvic/reader.action?docID=4832579&ppg=6.

EDCI 338 (2021, May 21). 20 Minutes Moore. Course Interview with Shelley Moore: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeSV0rUl1bA