What is a PLN?

Photo by C.Buckley

Hello,

Here is what I have learned in regard to Personal Learning Networks (PLN) this past week.

PLN’s are meant to be used as virtual social space for connecting, collaborating and sharing ideas with others who have similar passions.  My passion is education!

I am building a PLN to collaborate with diverse educators/learners.  I want to learn from those who support new educators so I will invite them into my space.

During this module I have been connecting to those who are current in research and implementation of new strategies and technology.

Here is how I will continue to develop mine, it will be a model suggested by our Digital Literature instructor.

PLN’s are Personal

Make it an area for learning by questioning and reading on a vast array of topics.  Spend time reflecting and share the reflections for feedback, in this way we can grow in education.  Reach out to others in parts of the world that interest you are even cause you some anxiety.  Do this in order to gain insight into how education is delivered, revered or absorbed.  Exercise caution while we ‘lurk’ or ‘surf’ around the globe in websites based in places like Europe, Asia or say Africa or America.  It is up to us to be digitally literate while we deepen our understanding and grow. Keeping this personal network directed by following specialized people.  Those that have knowledge that you can bring into the classroom by using tools known as Web 2.0.

PLN’s are based in Learning

In order to be a top educator in the 21^st Century we will need to be connected (networked) with like-minded people.  This means using a PLN, so that we can be that lifelong learner we ask our students to be. We can engage in various platforms for professional development while practicing with digital literacy.  We will need to make this learning ongoing and focused while being open to change both on line and off.

PLN’s are Networks

These networks are for collaboration. Spending 10-20min a day learning, lurking and sharing is an ideal way to use a PLN’s especially if your an isolated teacher, new teacher, on-line student/educator. However, remember PLN’s are for the experienced as well!

So, I started here at edutopia.org I explored this site started following it on Twitter, the site has endless information and links that initiate creative ideas and offers networking for educators.  This one follow (Edutopia) has now led me to over 60 other sites to incorporate into my PLN.

I need to tell you all that I did not build my PLN on all social networking platforms instead I limited my PLN by using Twitter and WordPress only.  I did this to reduce the amount content I will need to sift through in the future.

WordPress allows me the same opportunities for a PLN as Twitter, however, I found Twitter was easier for me to locate others with common educational interests

As always, please share with me what you know about this topic.