I have used much personal learning network (PLN) platforms. After I planned to learn how to cook, I learned to make various kinds of food with food bloggers on bilibili. Later, on the recommendation of a friend, I started to use youtube to learn how to make food. After starting the formal course, I continue to use youtube to supplement my missing basic knowledge. I often use YouTube to learn how to write an essay, and I also use YouTube to find definitions and examples of metaphors. Also, to learn about the city where my university is located, I also watched videos on Twitter to learn about the city’s history and unique culture, and celebrities. Of course, I still need Chinese knowledge about China. So I also use WeChat to learn some knowledge. I learned about famous diplomats in Chinese history through WeChat, and I also learned about Chinese tea culture through WeChat.

Because I study on both the Chinese platform and the English platform, I often see different voices. For example, when learning how to make food, bloggers on bilibili encourage everyone to eat hot food. They say that high temperatures can kill bacteria, so it is healthier. However, many bloggers on youtube encourage everyone to eat cold food. They felt that cold food was healthier for the stomach.

My learning on these platforms has been mixed. For some learning of concepts, bloggers generally speak very clearly. Some examples they provide can also help me understand these concepts more deeply. However, some practical learning is not as effective as conceptual learning. Because they have no way of filming their entire work. For example, when learning to make a cake, it is impossible for bloggers to film all the fermentation time and baking time, which will take up a lot of time, and the audience will not have the patience to watch it. Because there is no reference object, it is difficult for me to find out if my operation is wrong through the changes in the cake when I make the cake. To make up for the flaws, I have to expose myself to diversity. I usually choose to look for the same technology on both the Chinese platform and the English platform. Since each blogger’s shooting process is different, the steps they present to the audience are also different. This makes up for steps that are flawed in other videos and make the entire production process as clear as possible.

PLN used to contain only pure teaching. For example, the process of the teacher’s class was recorded. It is uploaded to the Internet and played on these teaching platforms. Generally, the slides made by the teacher are used as the main playback content of the video, and the teacher’s voice is added as the explanation at the same time. However, the current PLN is no longer limited to traditional knowledge. Instead, a lot of practical technology has been added. For example, many bloggers have opened a food column and photographed the whole process of making their own food. This achieves the effect of teaching. They even filmed themselves going to the supermarket to source materials to help viewers find the most suitable materials. These bloggers also often participate in some funny explanations in the teaching process to attract and arouse the audience’s interest.

Social media allow us to communicate with instructors online directly, but social media also make people gradually abandon face-to-face communication. It is inclusive because everyone is allowed to send a message online. PLN amplies the views of others because people with different ideas are allowed to speak online. PLN allows more people to tell their different views with others so that it changes many people’s ideas and broaden their horizon.