The Connected Educator:
Professional Learning Network (PLN)
What is a PLN, and what are the two main types of PLN examples?
Today, educators are pursuing personalized professional development by building their very own Professional (or Personal) Learning Networks (PLNs). PLNs connect teachers with a global network of contacts and resources.
Connections are innovation - without making a connection we get trapped in our own thinking - once you see something in a new light you can think about it in a new way.
A PLN is a system of interpersonal connections and resources that support informal learning. There are two main types of tools for building a PLN: information aggregation or social media connection.
Information Aggregation Examples
RSS (really simple syndication) readers and social bookmarking are two popular information aggregation tools. RSS readers collect information from various websites in one area. RSS readers allow educators to rapidly skim through hundreds of blog posts and articles to find the most relevant information to their practice.
Social bookmarking tools (i.e., Diigo, Delicious) allow educators to highlight, tag, and organize relevant webpages. Educators can join different groups on Diigo to receive weekly digest e-mails of the latest shared bookmarks from members in their group.
Information Aggregation Examples
Social media connection tools provide a space for educators to connect with a global audience.
In addition to the popular social media tools (Facebook, Edmodo, Twitter), there are also interest-based groups, including Ning and Google/Yahoo! Groups. Interest-based groups can be websites, discussion forums, social networking sites or any online place where educators can connect with other individuals around a shared interest.
Connections are innovation - without making a connection we get trapped in our own thinking - once you see something in a new light you can think about it in a new way.
A PLN is a system of interpersonal connections and resources that support informal learning. There are two main types of tools for building a PLN: information aggregation or social media connection.
Information Aggregation Examples
RSS (really simple syndication) readers and social bookmarking are two popular information aggregation tools. RSS readers collect information from various websites in one area. RSS readers allow educators to rapidly skim through hundreds of blog posts and articles to find the most relevant information to their practice.
Social bookmarking tools (i.e., Diigo, Delicious) allow educators to highlight, tag, and organize relevant webpages. Educators can join different groups on Diigo to receive weekly digest e-mails of the latest shared bookmarks from members in their group.
Information Aggregation Examples
Social media connection tools provide a space for educators to connect with a global audience.
In addition to the popular social media tools (Facebook, Edmodo, Twitter), there are also interest-based groups, including Ning and Google/Yahoo! Groups. Interest-based groups can be websites, discussion forums, social networking sites or any online place where educators can connect with other individuals around a shared interest.
PLNs provide continuous learning opportunities for teachers.
J.C. Elgin asks, "Who's in your personal/professional learning network? Are you one of 1,000s of educators who use the internet to enhance their classrooms?"
Elgin, J.C. (Creator and Poster). (2010, January 5). Personal learning networks--Continuous professional development [Video]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/M6O4ewycXF0
Why have a PLN?
Professional Learning Networks help people learn from each other in a self-directed and communal way. Educators typically use PLN tools to ask for help, feedback, and ideas.
PLNs are much more flexible, personalized, and real-time than conventional, place-based in-service education. Educators access their PLNs on their own time from their homes, a local coffee shop, or at work during breaks. They choose which sites to join, with whom to connect, and in which discussions to participate.
Connections allow people and ideas to grow, no matter if your connection is two feet away from you or thousands of miles. Allowing others to hear you gives your thoughts wings; they become bigger than they were just staying within you. It can be hard to share an idea, whether that is because you fear rejection or fear the idea changing. But once it is out there, it can become a reality. New, innovative ideas are rarely able to make great change if they are known only to one or a few. It is near impossible for any one person to think of an idea and follow a plan into fruition without somehow involving others.
If a teacher needs help with using technology as a learning tool, he can read FreeTech4Teachers, follow the hashtag, like #edtech on Twitter, and join the Computer Technology group on Edmodo. If an instructional designer is contemplating a mobile solution, she can become active with the elearning guild or follow #mlearncon. Instead of waiting for a scheduled workshop, educators can seek help using their PLNs and enjoy immediate responses that pool the collective knowledge of network members.
PLNs are much more flexible, personalized, and real-time than conventional, place-based in-service education. Educators access their PLNs on their own time from their homes, a local coffee shop, or at work during breaks. They choose which sites to join, with whom to connect, and in which discussions to participate.
Connections allow people and ideas to grow, no matter if your connection is two feet away from you or thousands of miles. Allowing others to hear you gives your thoughts wings; they become bigger than they were just staying within you. It can be hard to share an idea, whether that is because you fear rejection or fear the idea changing. But once it is out there, it can become a reality. New, innovative ideas are rarely able to make great change if they are known only to one or a few. It is near impossible for any one person to think of an idea and follow a plan into fruition without somehow involving others.
If a teacher needs help with using technology as a learning tool, he can read FreeTech4Teachers, follow the hashtag, like #edtech on Twitter, and join the Computer Technology group on Edmodo. If an instructional designer is contemplating a mobile solution, she can become active with the elearning guild or follow #mlearncon. Instead of waiting for a scheduled workshop, educators can seek help using their PLNs and enjoy immediate responses that pool the collective knowledge of network members.