Personal Learning Network
Personal Learning Environment (PLE) is a self-directed learning space; a virtual framework that consists of tools to collect, curate and construct knowledge that is customized to an individual’s learning goals and interests. A PLE can be created independently, building and collecting content sources from the Web, including creating content through blogs, podcasts, Slide-shares, etc.
A personal learning network is an informal learning network that consists of the people a learner interacts with and derives knowledge from in a personal learning environment. In a PLN, a person makes a connection with another person with the specific intent that some type of learning will occur because of that connection. Learners create connections and develop a network that contributes to their professional development and knowledge. The learner does not have to know these people personally or ever meet them in person. The personal learning network can be a rich source of learning that fosters connections that become part of our professional development.
Things to consider
- The learner chooses which PLEs, and social media to build a PLN.
- Specifically, the learner chooses whom to interact with in these media and how much to participate.
- Learners enter the PLE with certain goals, needs, interests, motivations and problems that are often presented to the people they include in their PLN.
- PLNs can include tons of different communities – social networking sites like Facebook, blogs, Twitter, wikis, social bookmarking tools, LinkedIn, and so many more.
- Moreover, the learner will collaborate and connect differently with various members. The learner will establish stronger relationships with some members and have a low level of connection with others. Not all nodes will be equal.
- Member roles include searcher, assembler, designer of data, innovator of subject matter, and researcher.
Here are some ways that educators are using their PLNs:
– Professional development – learn from content-area specialists
– Locate resources for your classroom, such as free websites and software
– Get lesson plan ideas from master teachers
– Learn about new technology and how to integrate it into your teaching
– Find collaborative solutions
– Find interesting links to education news
Tips for Building Personal Learning Network
- Join an online community. Sharing ideas and contacting people for direct feedback is more effective in a community setting. Communities such as, Classroom 2.0 and The Educator’s PLN provide a meaningful circle of experts. They provide professional development resources, such as online events, and are a great place to start networking.
- Participate daily (if possible), by reading blog posts, daily updates, following/participating in Twitter conversations.
- Contribute and share by commenting on other people’s posts and engaging in different conversations.
- Participate Actively. Brain power is the main asset of a PLN. Spend some time to identify a specific cause and communicate it on your profile. Let your knowledge of a specific cause help grow your PLN. Keep up to date with your niche. Stay relevant. Try to post at least once a week.
- Share Information. PLNs rely on open sharing of information. So if you know something, share it! It’s best to start with a specific interest and then grow into other topics as time goes on. Become an expert in your niche by researching current trends. This will draw a larger following on your network, because you can provide a novel source of information.
- Ask Questions. After all, PLNs are all about learning. But don’t ask questions that you can easily research yourself. Try to be specific and think of how a question might generate interest from others. For example, you may want to refer to an article or research study when asking a question. Be specific! This will generate the best answers.