Unpacking My Personal Learning Network Plan
- Vaneasia Evans
- Dec 4, 2022
- 6 min read
"Networking is a lot like nutrition and fitness: we know what to do, the hard part is making it a top priority." -- Herminia Ibarra
I found this quote by Herminia Ibarra quite exciting, humorous, and, most importantly, practical! Creating plans can take time to design a balanced approach toward life-changing goals and how to meet them effectively.
In Benjamin Franklin's famous words, "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail". I aim to succeed in each task I undertake; therefore, I understand the importance of planning and working towards established goals. Naturally, we enjoy communication and the feeling of belonging, in which we pursue different avenues to meet our individual needs. Establishing personal learning networks takes time and effort and requires motivation to build effective networks and friendships.
Technology continues to evolve as the appetite for formal, informal, and social interactions increases. The surge in technological devices to satisfy demands has led individuals to search engines for various websites and applications to fulfill their needs. As subscriptions increase and through daily interactions with family and friends, the development of personal learning networks is established. Personal learning networks are "a system of interpersonal connections and resources that support informal learning" (Trust, 2012). Other scholars define personal learning networks as "teacher-driven, global support networks that decrease isolation and promote independence" (Flanigan, 2011). Personal learning networks involve social media connections and educational and professional platforms and facilitate formal and informal interactions. The succeeding paragraphs highlight some valuable platforms for interactions and the establishment of balanced personal learning networks. Additionally, an outlined listing is provided with valuable resources in Table 1, goals to be obtained from personal learning networks, benefits, and plans to expand the network for additional benefits.
Connectivism
Did you know ?
Personal learning networks are "largely connected to the Connectivism Theory" (Siemens, 2005). The theory focuses on the individual, and their individualized knowledge is "a network connected to organizations and institutions" (Thang, 2018). Kennedy (2018) believes personal learning networks emerged from "learner dissatisfaction with institutionally-focused learning management systems that tracked and managed learners". She further stated "the desire for more learner-centered approaches, and increased recognition noting the importance of lifelong learning". Interestingly, Ivanova et al. (2014) believe it is established "as a consequence of supporting learning and satisfying personal requirements". Whichever premise is accepted, it is vital to note the importance of establishing personal learning networks to hone 21st-century skills, create meaningful connections and encourage active inquiry for healthy development and advancements in an ever-evolving society.
As a life-long learner consistently researching different development methods, it was essential to be aligned with various platforms to garner and maintain a growth mindset. Social media applications such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord, to name a few, have contributed significantly to the establishment of meaningful relationships and professional advancements. The internet is an easily accessible medium to facilitate growth in all components of personal learning networks, as web 2.0 tool usage has increased within classrooms to enhance learning environments. Educators are challenged to pursue continuous learning through collaboration, professional development, and studying pedagogical techniques and best practices to promote authentic knowledge transfer components in teaching.
Joining professional teachers' networks and social learning like NESTA, InterNations, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook provide opportunities for collaboration with like-minded professionals and promotes a sense of community involvement which is welcomed in social interactions. My associations with platforms listed under social learning, education, professional and personal have strengthened my critical thinking, citizenship, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. Table 1 below provides a more detailed outline of a few of my main networks of association, description and purpose, participation, and time spent building relationships and learning on these platforms.
In pursuing educational attainment and keeping up with current technological trends, new waves of information, and excitingly new perspectives on education, I plan to update my personal learning network with blogs, live streaming sites, and webinars with accredited courses. I plan to start with the following:
Personal Learning Network Interests
Professional learning networks significantly benefit the digital age because they foster the development of 21st-century skills and enrich community involvement. For educators, Personal learning networks, often referred to as professional learning networks, serve as easily accessible platforms to continually develop a practice for self-fulfillment and skill acquisition to ensure authentic knowledge transfer. As an educator and lifelong learner, it is essential to establish and expand interactions with personal learning networks to strengthen cognitive skills, conduct continuous reflections, and develop active inquiry skills for exponential growth in a digitally evolving society. As new trends in education and technology continue to emerge, it is crucial to conduct continuous research to identify new perspectives and educational enhancement tools to apply flexible changes where applicable.
Goals to be Obtained
There are numerous benefits to be obtained from expanding personal learning networks. Entering a new field as an instructional designer requires substantial experience and background knowledge, which can be obtained from platforms with blogs, webinars, and live-streaming events. The goal is to join these platforms to build my professional, educational and social network with hopes for a smooth transition into the world of instructional design. Participation in webinars and live-streaming events will improve communication and presentation skills and increase confidence to design platforms of this nature to assist other upcoming educators or instructional designers. Trust (2012) advocates for expanding personal learning networks because "real-time interaction tools allow teachers to have conversations with others worldwide to receive feedback on new ideas, discuss lesson plans, ask for support, solve problems, and collaborate". The belief is that we work better together, and I agree.
What to learn?
Understanding that we are all unique and possess varying experiences makes communication more exciting and meaningful. Receiving insightful responses and ideas from experts in different fields helps to broaden one's perspective on differentiated topics. I view collaboration and networking as 'unity in diversity because common goals are shared and transmitted differently. Additionally, this highlights the beauty of being different and how different topics and platforms can break barriers to foster dynamic contributions to society. The eLearning coach blog provides useful resources on books to read, conducts webinars, and shares instructional design information through podcasts. Meaningful pointers are provided for new and 'seasoned' designers to develop skills and benefit from a wide variety of resources for continued education. Free lessons and accredited webinars provided on eCampus makes this platform a virtual network to add to one's portfolio for those interested in obtaining certifications for participation.
Plans for Participation
The plan is to subscribe to the eLearning coach's Facebook page and blog to participate in discussions, learn from others and utilize 'gems' provided in newsletters and interactions to enhance professional and personal development skills. The eCampus Work and Wellness Institute has a variety of micro-learning lessons on current topics in education that I will study and use to educate my colleagues in workshops on professional educational practices to garner and utilize in their respective learning environments. Additionally, watching the Discovery learning live streaming videos will present opportunities for global interaction and exchange instructional practices to implement, enhance learning, and promote healthy development.
Benefits of a PLN
Personal learning networks eliminate the feeling of isolation and can reduce frustration among new educators or designers seeking information to establish a solid foundation in their new craft. Establishing these networks may serve as on-the-job training and can be implemented continuously as new trends and ideas are shared for exploration. Personal learning networks make it easier for individuals to be open to change and varying perspectives. It highlights areas of interest and assists in building learner confidence through interactions. Pataraia et al. (2015) note that "networks facilitate self-reflection in terms of what the person needs, what the person has, how the person will do it, why the person is doing it, and what the person can do to improve on it". Since self-reflection and active inquiry are primary professional development tools in education, teachers can benefit significantly from investing time in developing a strong, dynamic, balanced personal learning network.
Be sure to check out the following resources:
References
Ivanova, M., Grosseck, G., & Holotescu, C. (2012, July). Analysis of personal learning networks in support of teachers presence optimization. In PLE Conference.
Kennedy, J. (2018). Towards a model of connectedness in personal learning networks. Journal of Interactive Online Learning, 16, 21-40.
Pataraia, N., Margaryan, A., Falconer, I., & Littlejohn, A. (2015). How and what do academics learn through their personal networks. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 39(3), 336-357.
Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, 2(1), 3-10. Retrieved from http://www.itdl.org/journal/jan_05/article01.htm
Thang, S. (2018, July 9). Social Media and Curriculum. Technology and the Curriculum Summer 2018. https://pressbooks.pub/techandcurriculum/chapter/personal-learning-networks/
Trust, T. (2012). Professional learning networks designed for teacher learning. Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 28(4), 133–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/21532974.2012.10784693
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