Reflective log : A reflective log addressing the challenges the advantages and disadvantages of working with online platforms in your learning process
Introduction
In my reflective log, I am intrigued to discuss my experience creating an online portfolio using WordPress, for the very first time and conducting online research for my multimedia journalism coursework, a skill that I believe will be useful in the future as I have a strong interest in starting a lifestyle blog. Before this assignment, I had never used WordPress and did not even realise that some features might require payment. As part of the task, I was required to publish two pieces, an opinion article, "Wolverhampton's High Street Can't Thrive When Its Biggest Names Disappear" and a personal book review called "Some Books You Read, Some Books Read You" (Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki). To successfully achieve my goal, I had to look up information online, take my own pictures and videos of Wolverhampton city canter, and explore the book Rich dad poor dad (Kiyosaki. R, 1997) further, by listening to the audio version and checking the official website for more information. This reflection explores the advantages, my personal challenges, and learning experiences, encountered while working with WordPress, together with other digital media platforms.
Advantages
One of the main advantages of working with online platforms such as WordPress is that it allows students to present their work in a professional and organised way. This assignment helped me learn more about WordPress, which I think I will continue to use in the future. Another advantage of this process was the opportunity to refine my understanding of the topics I was writing about. While preparing my review of Rich Dad Poor Dad, I revisited the ideas and moral lessons from the book that I had encountered years ago. I further researched the author, Robert Kiyosaki's life and childhood experience, which gave me a better understanding his journey through learning about money from his rich dad, the perspective from which this book was written (Rich dad poor dad company, 2006). Similarly, while I was writing my opinion piece about the decline Wolverhampton Highstreets's retail and businesses activities, online research helped me move beyond speculation to learning facts. Instead of relying on only what I have observed or heard, as I researched further, I was able to explore information about how the closure of major retail stores is affecting other businesses and the wider local economy (BBC News, 2006). Overall, the experience showed me how digital platforms and online research can support deeper learning and more informed journalism.
Challenges
One of the major challenges that I faced while working on this task was during my research process, the amount of time and effort that I had to invest to find reliable and academically supported information. The internet provides a large amount of content, but not all of it is credible or suitable for academic work. As a student, I often spent long hours filtering through websites, blogs, and articles to identify sources that were legitimate and properly referenced.
Personally, I find this process both tiring and frustrating, because on the digital media environment, almost anyone is allowed to publish their work, meaning that misinformation and poorly supported information appear alongside credible sources. This reflects how complex today's convergent media environment is, where information flows across multiple platforms and requires users to develop stronger skills to evaluate what information is reliable and what information is not (Henry Jenkins,2006)
It was challenging navigating my way through WordPress, especially when I was following a YouTube tutorial (Metics Media, 2006). My interface doesn't always appear the same as what is been shown in the tutorial, which is because the video was recorded a while ago and the platform being updated, this slowed my progress and caused frustration. Additionally, some useful features on WordPress require paid upgrades, which can be difficult for students working with limited financial resources.
Conclusion
Furthermore, the process of learning through multiple digital platforms can sometimes become overwhelming. Because convergent media integrates many tools into one learning environment, students are often required to switch between several applications such as video tutorials, blogging platforms, and research databases. While this integration can be beneficial, it can also create digital fatigue, where constant screen time and information processing become mentally exhausting. So, as much as digital and convergent media can offer powerful opportunities for learning, they also introduce challenges related to information overload, technical difficulties, and the need for strong digital literacy skills.
Kiyosaki. R, (1997) Rich Dad Poor. Plata Publishing
Rich dad poor dad company (2006) Rich dada poor dad Available at: https://richdad.com/about/robert-kiyosaki/ (Accessed: 30/03/2026)
BBC News (2006) 'Empty units' surround business in shopping centre’ Available at :https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg8mk49v1no (Accessed: 30/03/2026)
Jenkins. H. (2006) Convergence culture: where old and new media collide. New York University Press. pp 1-10
Metics Media (2006) WordPress Tutorial for Beginners 2026 - Step by Step Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd5_MN-6kqs