Thoughts On My PLN

I have been pondering the value of my Personal Learning Network (PLN) for quite sometime. I value educators, professionals and researchers in higher education who share, connect and collaborators with me online and IRL (in real life).

Not too long ago @clintlalonde interviewed me for his masters thesis research paper on learning networks. I agreed to this Skype interview, as PLN is a strong interested on my own research thread. A BIG thanks goes out to Clint for having me reflect on my PLN. After reviewing the transcripts from our interview, I thought I would highlight a few thoughts I shared about my PLN:

• a shared space where I connect and engage with a community of peers
• this group is a sort of a scaffold & sounding board
• a place go to for resources and ideas
• usually related to my interests or areas I want to expand upon
• technology did not create my PLN, but is is now a great and easy medium to cultivate it
• resources for personal and professional development is in the network
• 140 characters really does have value in my own educational development
• my network is varied and there is never a dull moment – this is why I stay engaged
• it has different themes within different nodes & groups
• crowd-sourcing – starts the conversation, inspires project development and collaborative initiatives
• it can evolve and it can change  – the medium may change but the messages & info is always there
• I never stop learning…that’s why I heart my PLN!

Here are a few great articles and resources from educators in my PLN:

• 5 Things You Can Do to Begin Developing Your Personal Learning Network
• What is a PLN? Or, PLE vs. PLN?
• PLN: Your Personal Learning Network Made Easy
• Personal Learning Networks – David Warlick
• pln by ClintLalone.net
• The Educator’s PLN Ning

Have you grown YOUR PLN lately?