PLN&AI

Although I’m an undergraduate student at UVic and have the opportunity to learn at school, I’ve found that I still spend more time in my Personal Learning Network (PLN). Based on my learning experience, I often use Reddit and Red book to explore new knowledge. On these platforms, I usually just need to use the search bar to look up information in the field I’m interested in, and I can learn easily. For example, as a psychology major, if I want to know the steps and requirements for becoming a psychological counselor, I simply search for the keywords and find plenty of answers. Unlike Google searches, these platforms don’t provide rigid, textbook answers; instead, they offer diverse perspectives that give me more to consider. Additionally, there are often comments from professionals under the posts, which give me more room for reflection. I really enjoy this active learning process—it feels more engaging and unrestricted compared to the passive learning in school.

In today’s society, the rapid development of AI has made it a tool that everyone is eager to use. In their article “Building AI Literacy in Pre-Service Teacher Education in Canada,” Estailteyeh and Mindzak
note: “AI is not a passing trend but a permanent fixture in education.” (Estaiteyeh & Mindzak, 2025) I strongly agree with their perspective; AI has gradually become an indispensable part of the Canadian education system and university students’ self-directed learning. Through my Professional Learning Network (PLN), I’ve noticed that I’ve developed the habit of exploring fragmented knowledge within my PLN, then using ChatGPT to correct errors and synthesize information. This has significantly improved my learning efficiency. At the same time, ChatGPT generates more understandable expressions that help me absorb knowledge. Compared to traditional self-study, the assistance from ChatGPT makes me feel completely at ease. The article also raises a key point: “AI can be an extremely useful tool… but you need to know how to use it properly” (Estaiteyeh & Mindzak, 2025). I believe this statement highlights the most critical issue regarding AI misuse: plagiarism and academic integrity. While AI is convenient and acts as a “knowledge expert,” it also tempts college students to take shortcuts—such as having ChatGPT write papers or take quizzes—resulting in them learning nothing themselves. I have deeply reflected on this myself and have even received an academic warning as a result. Using AI correctly is crucial; it is a powerful tool to support our learning, not a shortcut to avoid doing our homework.

Overall, the integration of GPT and AI has created a powerful learning system—undoubtedly a crystallization of modern human intelligence. However, while we enjoy its benefits, we must also learn to use it properly. We must understand that learning is about personal growth, not merely about completing school assignments.

Reference

Estaiteyeh, M., & Mindzak, M. (2025). Building AI literacy in pre‑service teacher education in Canada: A case study of two cohorts. Journal of Teaching and Learning, 19(4), Article 10041. https://doi.org/10.22329/jtl.v19i4.10041