Hello, and welcome to EDCI 338 (A02) – Summer 2025. My name is Joshua Hotchin, and I will be your instructor as we move through this course together. I am excited and looking forward to working with you as we develop new skills and deepen our understanding of Social Media and Personalized Learning together over this semester. 

Photo by 2H Media on Unsplash

In the following six weeks, we will explore social media networks and personalized learning pathways in educational contexts, use blogs to communicate our learning, and develop our understanding of digital identity, diversity, and inclusion in online learning environments. 

This is an online and synchronous course. Therefore, we will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 6:30–7:50 p.m. via Zoom for scheduled class sessions. Please follow the modules listed on the course website, and hand in your assignments through Brightspace.

The Zoom URL for our classroom is on Brightspace. I will also be available on Zoom each Wednesday from 5:30–6:30 p.m. (an hour before class) for optional drop-in office hours. This is a chance to ask questions, get support, or check in. If this time doesn’t work for you, you are always welcome to book a meeting, phone call, or text with me throughout the semester.

There will be a new module of information/tasks about every week (dates are confirmed in the course syllabus), and I will communicate with you about learning resources, tasks, and important information. Please check back here for each module for your next tasks. 

Here is the schedule for each module: 

  • Module 1: July 3rd – July 15th (2 weeks)
  • Module 2: July 16th – July 22nd (1 week)
  • Module 3: July 23rd – July 29th (1 week)
  • Module 4: July 30th – August 5th (1 week)
  • Module 5: August 6th – August 12th (1 week)
  • Module 6: August 13th – August 20th (1 week)

Regarding course assignments: 

  • All assignments will be submitted to Brightspace
  • Due dates are posted on Brightspace and Course Syllabus.
  • If you have any concerns about meeting the due dates of our assignments, please reach out to me and let me know. We can always find ways to help you feel able, confident, and successful in our learning materials!
Photo by Ronin on Unsplash

Important: Your first assignment, Blog Post #1, is due on July 15th at 11:59 p.m. (PST).

I truly value giving quick feedback to students, as it is best to receive feedback on your work when it is ‘still fresh in your mind.’ Therefore, I set aside time within my schedule after each due date to assess your work. You must submit your work on time so that I can assess your work within the time allotted to assess your work. That being said, I am very understanding and can be flexible. If you need extra time or support, please let me know early so that I can best support you in your learning. 

It may seem like a lot to do in this first module, but it’s mainly about introductions, housekeeping, and getting organized for the modules ahead – plus, you get two weeks for this module!

I want to ensure that everyone knows I am available, supportive, and want everyone to succeed. Please contact me at jhotchin@uvic.ca with any questions, comments, or concerns.

Readings/Videos/Podcasts

Before you complete your tasks for this module, you will need to read/watch/listen to the following resources:

Tasks/Activities: You are expected to complete the tasks below by Tuesday, July 15th (unless otherwise specified). If you have any concerns about meeting the due dates of our assignments, please reach out to me and let me know!

Review the Course Outline. It outlines what we are doing throughout each module and the assignments.10 minutes (approximately)
Reminder: The scheduled class is on Wednesday, July 9th, from 6:30 to 7:50 p.m. (PST). Regular attendance is expected to actively participate in discussions and support your PodGroup’s collaborative learning. To get the most out of this course, you are encouraged to be present, prepared, and engaged each week. As part of the Community Contributions assignment, short reflections will be submitted following each class to support your ongoing participation, reflection, and professional growth.
Office Hours are just before the class from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (PST)
Please check BrightSpace for our Zoom link (it will be the same for all classes + office hours)
You will need to create an OpenETC blog. If you have one created from a previous course, you may use it. However, if you have not created a blog before, here are some resources to get you started.
Important: It will be really important to ensure that you have completed the guides and steps outlined above. This will ensure that you are on the right path for your blog posts, personal learning network (PLN) engagement, and working towards your Community Contributions assessment.
You will need to create a Mattermost account. We’ll be using Mattermost to support group collaboration and course communication. Please check the Course Outline or BrightSpace for the Mattermost access link. You can follow the guides below to get started.
Task: Once you join, please say hello and introduce yourself (this could also be a great opportunity to let others know if you are looking for a PodGroup to join!)
Important: Please ensure that you sign up for Mattermost within the first couple of days. I will be sending out important information and reminders through this platform. It is also a space where you can ask questions and connect with your PodGroup members.
You need to complete a Learning Pathways survey (part of your community contributions assessment), which will help me learn more about you and provide the rest of the course with a link to your blog.10 minutes (approximately)
We need to create our PodGroups for this term. You will complete the Social Media Platform Comparison and Analysis of a Social Media Learning Community assignments in these groups. Attached in Mattermost is a document where you will sign up for your PodGroups. Please put your name and email in the document. Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this format. You need to do this by July 15th (end of Module 1).If you know who you want to be in a group with, super fast (1 minute!).


If you don’t know who you want to be in a group with, this is a great opportunity to reach out in Mattermost to introduce yourself and ask if anyone would like to join a group with you.
Review this information on what to include in your blog posts. There is a checklist of things you should include (in addition to your nicely written, detailed, informative, and supported work) with tutorials.
Review the information, rubric, and criteria for Blog Posts. 5 minutes (approximately)
Review the information, rubric and criteria for Community Contributions.5 minutes (approximately)
Blog Post #1: For your first blog post in EDCI 338, I would like you to introduce yourself to the class. Please include your name, program of study, year, and any experiences you’d like to share that have influenced your educational journey. Additionally, consider reflecting on the following topics (if you’d like to take this in your own direction, you are more than welcome to):

– Social Media and Its Role in Education: Social media includes platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, where people can share content, interact, and build communities. Reflect on how social media has influenced your ability to connect with others and learn. How can it be used in education to make learning more engaging? What are the benefits and challenges of using social media for educational purposes?
– Personalized Learning and Digital Literacies: Personalized learning is an approach that adapts to individual needs, strengths, and interests, while digital literacies involve the skills needed to use technology effectively and understand online information. How does personalized learning keep you motivated, and why is digital literacy important in today’s world? Share examples of how both personalized learning and digital literacy have impacted your education.
– Digital Identity and Online Presence: Your digital identity is how you present yourself online through profiles, shared content, and interactions. How do you manage your digital identity, and what role does it play in your educational or professional life? What steps do you take to maintain a positive online presence, and why is this important?
– Navigating and Using Online Platforms Ethically: Navigating online platforms means understanding how to use various websites, apps, and tools effectively, while ethical use involves showing respect and sharing responsibly. Describe your experiences with learning new digital platforms. Why is it important to be mindful of what you post and share, and how can ethical practices create a positive online community?
Submit your Blog Post #1 URL to Brightspace

If you have any troubles with the content of this module, please connect with me, and we can find ways to troubleshoot together! I am always more than happy to help support your learning as we continue our learning through our EDCI 338 course.