Diversity and Inclusion in PLNs – Blog #3

How may diversity and inclusion contribute to a PLN?

Growing up, I have always had access to the internet. To me, it was just another thing that was out there, and I never really thought about how privileged I was to have access to it. In reality, 42% of northern communities don’t have access to basic internet service (The Digital Divide and You – Digital Tattoo, 2026). This made me realize that the internet is not automatically an inclusive space. Inclusion means having access to the internet, but also having the skills, confidence, and appropriate devices to use it (Bailey, 2024). Without these things, people may have fewer opportunities to participate in online learning and create their own professional learning network (PLN).

PLNs support the development of knowledge and skills by exposing people to new information, ideas, and resources (Trust et al., n.d.). However, I think the value of a PLN also depends on whose perspectives are included in it. If my PLN only consisted of people who have similar backgrounds and experiences to me, I might continue seeing things from the same perspective without realizing what I could be missing. Having a diverse PLN can challenge my assumptions and expose me to different cultures, experiences, and ways of thinking (Maryville University, 2023).

For example, if a professor was creating a lecture about what it is like to live in northern communities, they could gather research online or connect with other professors who have studied the topic. However, someone who actually lives in one of those communities could provide experiences and perspectives that may not be represented in academic resources. This makes me think about the difference between having diverse voices in a PLN and actually creating an environment where those voices are listened to.

To me, diversity brings different perspectives into a PLN, while inclusion makes sure those perspectives have a chance to contribute. A PLN can give me access to information, but having people with different experiences can also make me question what I already think I know. I think that is one of the most valuable parts of having a PLN because learning is not just about finding more information, but also being open to perspectives that may challenge your own.

References

Bailey, B. (2024, October). The importance of digital inclusion. TuMai Digital. Tumaidigital.Org.Nz. https://tumaidigital.org.nz/news/the-importance-of-digital-inclusion

Maryville University. (2023, April 21). Value of different perspectives at work and school. Maryville Online. https://online.maryville.edu/blog/gaining-understanding-different-perspectives/

The digital divide and you – digital tattoo. (2026, February 3). Digital Tattoo. https://digitaltattoo.ubc.ca/quizzes/the-digital-divide-and-you/

Trust, T., Carpenter, J., P, J., & Krutka, D. (n.d.). Https://Edtechbooks.Org/encyclopedia/professional_learning_networks. Edtechbooks.Org. Retrieved October 1, 2026, from https://edtechbooks.org/encyclopedia/professional_learning_networks