PLN Reflection

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This week, all 3 of my final assignments for both courses I am in have been released and of course, I have been battling those feelings of overwhelmed and stressed. I have been trying to reflect on PLNs, refresh myself on what they are, what they can look like and the PLNs I have built. 

For those of you feeling similar sentiments, I hope this blog can help you refresh yourself on PLNs and help you begin to reflect on the PLNs you have built. 

Defining and Understanding PLNs:

First stop, a Wiki definition from the page: Personal learning network

"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" 

We first encountered PLN during week 3 and watched this video on PLNs created by Dr. Dennen. 

Here are my "sparknotes" 

  • PLNs involve informal learning (it can be everywhere around us). When we come across a problem and go to the internet to search it up, we find resources and information, we find communities of knowledge and we may join these communities, we connect with others on the topic of the community and eventually, we may even have enough knowledge to share and provide help and information to others, we have built a network, a personal learning network. This can happen with professional and discipline topics too (not only hobbies) 
  • PLNs are networks of people who help you learn that occur in various spaces and through various tools that we interact with to meet our learning needs  
  • PLNs are unique to you and your learning needs and interests 
  • Tools, websites and online communities are not PLNs, but rather PLNs include these elements. 
  • PLNs can be narrow and broad 

I also posted a resource on Building your PLNs to our EME6414 Pinterest group that you can view Here



Reflecting on PLNs: 

Thinking about PLNs, reflect on Context, Needs and Time

Here are some questions to ask during a reflection on your PLNs: 

  • What is the content or topic on my PLN?
  • What spaces do I use to engage and support my PLN?
  • What Web 2.0 tools do I use to connect to my PLN and acquire knowledge through PLN activities?
  • Who is in my PLN?


So, what are my PLNs? I know I have built PLNs, but I think I really struggled to identify these at first. What helped me was going to my "spaces" where I connect to others for informal learning and seeing what I talk about, who I connect with and what tools I use to connect. This may help you identify your PLNs too! 

I believe that I had PLNs going into this course, but I also think some have been built as a result of this course. Here is a quick brainstorm of my PLNs: 

  • Social Media and Web 2.0 Tools 
  • Succulent Care
  • Art and Painting 
  • Photography
  • RV Living 
  • Instructional Design
  • Teaching and education 
  • Teaching ELLs
  • E-Learning
  • Vegan and heart healthy cooking and recipes
  • Exercise and Healthy living 
Some are PLNs that meet my learning needs for hobbies, others are focused on my professional discipline learning needs. Some of my PLNs have been neglected, but they still exist and I can come back to them anytime. I believe my brainstorm list will grow and change as I continue to reflect and begin to choose a PLN that I will purposefully grow for the remainder of the course and beyond! 


Comments

  1. That Will Show ThemJuly 10, 2021 at 5:54 PM

    Thank you so much, this is a great blog, really helped me get a handle on the project. Did you really need this course?😉

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LissaJuly 10, 2021 at 7:15 PM

      I am glad it helped you get a handle on the project!

      Delete
  2. VanessaJuly 14, 2021 at 3:18 PM

    This is a great post. And I think when people struggle with it, they often are trying to be too prescriptive about a PLN or overthink it. That's a shame -- it's like we don't initially see the value in what we do organically when often it's the best experience that we have.

    ReplyDelete

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