Similar to a PLE (personal learning environment) is the personal learning network (PLN). Though the two are often used interchangeably there is a difference. A PLN is an aspect of PLEs, where the individual has a group of people within his or her virtual network. These groupings can be beneficial for sharing and brainstorming common interests and/or collaborative projects/research. Connections are made using social networks or other web applications, with the primary purpose of sharing or gathering information.
This video condenses the importance of PLN's for educators.
I closely relate to the little nerdy character in the beginning of this video. Currently I think most of my colleagues idea of technology and technology support is heavily based on me and maybe four other teachers on a campus of eight teachers. It is my hope to grow my PLN so that the it still exists if I am removed from that particular campus. Using a PLN will allow not only this to happen, but also open the door for networking between other campuses on the district, state, and national level.
Dr. Mark Wagner (click to view site)
Shares some very important tips if you are new to PLN's.
His tips summarized include:
1. Connect – blogs and social networks
2. Contribute – If you have something to share, post it online where it may be accessible and useful to others.
3. Converse – conversations grow into relationships
4. Request – this step stresses the importance of developing the first three before making requests.
5. Blog – important for strengthening connections
6. Tweet – Among educators (and much of the world), Twitter is the most popular social microblogging tool.
7. Join Classroom 2.0 – great place to start with an exiting network (no need to follow, friend, or circle anyone) and with very little pressure to produce.
8. Use Google+ – Google’s new social network allows educators to group the people they follow into circles, such as personal and professional (keeping these circles safely separate in a way that is more difficult on other networks such as Facebook).
9. Be Patient – building a personal learning network doesn’t happen quickly, and it isn’t a trivial commitment.
10. Be Authentic – quantity versus quality of connections made
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