PLN: Your Personal Learning Network Made Easy

What is a PLN?

If I had to define what a ‘Personal Learning Network’ is, I would keep it simple and broad:

n. – the entire collection of people with whom you engage and exchange information, usually online.

Personal Learning Networks, or PLNs, have been around forever.  Originally, they were your family and friends, maybe other educators you worked with, but as the internet and web 2.0 tools have become nearly ubiquitous, PLNs can include tons of different communities – social networking sites like Facebook, blogs, Twitter, wikis, social bookmarking tools, LinkedIn, and so many more.  Basically, anyone that you interact with is apart of your PLN, whether they are social contacts, professional peers, or experts in their field.   Most of the ‘learning’ takes place on-line now, because it is simple to find and connect with others with similar interests from around the world.

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PLNs have immense value!

So, why bother thinking about your PLN?  Whether you’re a full-time mom, a full-time teacher, or a full-time student, your PLN can be extremely interesting and helpful.  The beauty of people communicating online is the ease of finding and sharing information and – if you ask for it – the group feedback that you get on ideas and projects.

Here are some ways that educators are using their PLNs:
-    Professional development – learn from content-area specialists
-    Locate resources for your classroom, such as free websites and software
-    Get lesson plan ideas from master teachers
-    Learn about new technology and how to integrate it into your teaching
-    Find collaborative solutions
-    Find interesting links to education news

Students can also reap the benefits of tapping into their PLNs.  Here is a wonderful video called “The Networked Student” that shows how on-line networking can enhance students’ 21st century skills.

When you have a large group of people combing through vast amounts of information and collectively identifying the most useful, entertaining, or valuable parts, it only makes sense to tap into this collective knowledge!

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Build Your Own PLN

If you’re interested in expanding your PLN, here’s a directory of some of the best web 2.0 tools:

Category Value Examples and Guides
Social Networking Keeping up with personal, more social contacts like friends, family, and former students Facebook, Myspace
Microblogging Populated with educators from around the world who share best practices and resources in short bursts Twitter, My guide to Twitter, Plurk, Utterli
Professional Profiles Find other professionals and experts in your field LinkedIn, Brightfuse
Wikis Community-monitored sites that can function as websites or for group organization and projects Wikispaces, pbwiki, wetpaint
Blogs Great sources of information such as classroom best practices as well as personal opinions; Blogs monitor the heartbeat of new trends in education and the commenting back and forth leads to many great ideas and relationships WordPress, (check out my ‘Blogroll’ to the right – they’re my favorites), Blogger, Typepad, Alltop – top blog headlines by subject, Technorati – a blog search engine
RSS Reader RSS means “Real Simple Syndication” – an RSS reader is a tool that allows you to keep up with many of your favorite blogs, all in once place
(see this video ‘RSS in Plain English’)
Netvibes, (My Netvibes), PageFlakes, Google Reader
Nings Communities of people interested in similar topics, with forums and messaging Classroom 2.0, Future of Education, Ning
Social Bookmarking Share bookmarks with others, see what others are bookmarking; you can join groups and get email updates on new bookmarks Diigo, Diigo Groups, Delicious
Webinars Live, on-line presentations or conferences, with real-time chat, hosted by experts on specific topics; Great way to learn about new things and to meet new people Classroom 2.0 Live!, EdTechTalk Live, Elluminate – host your own!, Dim Dim
Backchanneling of conferences When there are neat (and expensive) conferences that you can’t attend, follow conversations and links about the highlights Twitter search – use acronyms like ‘NECC’ or ‘SXSWi’

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What to Expect – Stages of PLN Adoption

There are certain stages that most people seem to go through when building their PLN before settling into a comfortable niche.  It may take a little time, but you’ll eventually find that a rich PLN can elevate both your personal and professional life to new heights.

If you’d like to connect with me, click here.

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79 Comments

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79 Responses to PLN: Your Personal Learning Network Made Easy

  1. This is a nice approach to explaining a PLN. You are quite right. It does take time to participate and build, but once you do you have a huge base of knowledge.

    Sometimes, I know just the person who can answer a question. Other times, I learn something that takes me in a whole new direction for the better.

    Online learning can be very serendipitous. You have to leave behind the worry that you are going to “miss” something, because something is always going on! I’m so happy to have gotten to know you as part of my learning network.

  2. Hey, great write-up on PLNs!

    Every teacher today should know the best ways to access useful content online. Connecting with other teachers and content providers is the best way to help improve the craft of teaching and ultimately to help students I think.

    I did my own PLN-alogy here:
    http://teachersaid.wordpress.com/2009/02/12/the-constant-conference-building-a-pln-with-twitter-blogs-and-plurk/

  3. Great write up. I love how you broke down the web 2.0 tools and gave examples. Very clear for teachers new to PLN and web 2.0

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  5. What a great explanation of PLN and their value! Such an important part of teaching today. We have heard numerous accounts of how teachers are relying on their PLN for ideas, support, and collaboration. One resource I would add for finding a PLN or adding to your PLN is http://www.facebook.com/iteach — you can search teachers there and the community is huge. Or find more colleagues at http://www.weareteachers.com

    Thanks again for an always thought provoking blog!

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  7. Nathan

    I am currently working on my MA in Digital Learning in the classroom. Reading your post really made me understand PLN much better. I believe communicating and networking is so important in the life of an individual and in today’s society, the internet allows us to communicate faster and broader in many areas. Whether it be from a blog to twitter, each type provides different values, and as an educator they can be utilize to a tremendous degree. Thank you for breaking them down easy to understand.

  8. Zach

    Ahh, perfect. As I explore the educational resources around me, I see the term PLN tossed around. This explanation was just what I needed. Thanks!

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  20. Thanks for the easy to use guideline of how you can start a PLN. I’m currently working on an Ed.S. in Educational Technology and one of our assignments is to create our own PLN and your post has definitely helped.

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  23. Pingback: Interesting link to more info on PLNs

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  41. Tibor

    Hi…great information about PLNs!

    I am researching the use of PLNs and their effect of student acheivement. Kind of a narrow subject, but I am hoping to create a PLN of resource teachers/special educators that can be accessed as a real time round table… a place where one can go to ask for help or offer advice. Any discussion would be greatly appreciated.

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  60. I liked your explanation so much I have quoted it here – http://tools4classroom.com/courses/plepln I hope this is ok

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  63. Saul Shama

    The PLN will be a great place to get lesson plans and bounce lesson plan ideas off of other teachers.

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  68. Shelley Gardner

    The enormous amount of information that is available through PLN’s is incredible. I am a rookie with these applications and appreciate the collaboraton between professionals, their advice and directions. I look forward to bringing these resources to my classroom and hope to develop a working network in my classroom

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  70. It is in reality a great and useful piece of info. I’m happy that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.

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