• What digital platforms are students currently using to develop their professional network?

From what I have observed, LinkedIn must be the most popular platform students use for professional networks. As people in LinkedIn are here to seek potential employees and employers, it’s easier to get in touch with professionals and build their network. However, some other digital platforms that are more personal like Instagram and Facebook are becoming popular for professional use as well. And I suppose it might be because that people feel more comfortable on personal platforms and those platforms could show a more real identity of a person than LinkedIn.

• What could the student consider in expanding their professional learning network?

People get interested in you only if they can see your personality from your post. So, the first step is to unlock your account—make it possible for people to see. However, students should also learn how to protect their private information like specific addresses and any number that seems important while doing that. The next step is to actively post something about your profession or something you are interested in or anything you want to say or comment on. Also, students should pay attention to their language when posting words. What you said will attract people who think like you. So be careful about the words if you want a positive network! The step is to keep in touch with people who comment on you and leave comments on others’ posts. By doing that, you are able to double your professional learning network.

• How does data privacy and security limit and/or promote a PLN?

Considering the data privacy and security, people might tend to not posting information about their real life which makes it hard to proceed the expansion of their PLN. Also, many people set their social media account as private one. In that case, only followers are able to see their posts which shrinks the chance to meet potential networking.

Here is my V&R Map: