Journal 6 - "Grow Your Personal Learning Network"

Warlick, D. (March 2009). Grow Your Personal Learning Network. Leading & Learning with Technology, Retrieved April 8, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume3620082009/MarchAprilNo6/36612w.pdf

Personal learning networks, or PLNs, are not a new concept. However, the use of technology to grow our personal learning networks is constantly changing as the technology we use changes. Using technology to grow your personal network can be very successful, but with all of the information out there things can quickly get out of control. Although technology is the source of this problem, it can also be the solution. New technologies can help us collect, store, and organize all of that information as well.

There are three different types of PLNs: personally maintained synchronous connections, personally and socially maintained semi-synchronous connections, and dynamically maintained asynchronous connections. The first of these types is the traditional network of people and places you’ve always had, but can be enhanced with technologies like chat, instant and text messaging, teleconferencing (such as Skype), Twitter, and virtual worlds (such as Second Life). “Semi-synchronous refers to the idea that collaboration doesn’t have to happen in real time” and can involve such technological tools as mailing lists, wikis, GoogleDocs, Twitter, group discussion boards and comment walls on Facebook, and commenting on blogs (Warlick 2009). Dynamically maintained asynchronous connections differ slightly from the other two types in that they connect us with content sources rather than with other people. These connections use tools like RSS aggregators and social bookmarking sites (like del.icio.us).

Question #1 – How can technological PLNs support learning in and out of the classroom?

Technological personal learning networks are great for learning in and out of the classroom because technology is everywhere. These PLNs give students and educators a great opportunity to branch out and really expand their personal learning networks. These tools are also a great way for students and teachers to connect with each other in and out of the classroom for a richer learning experience.

Question #2 – How can semi-synchronous connections encourage collaborative learning?

The ability to collaborate without having to meet face to face or in real time opens the door for so many collaborative learning opportunities. For example, students from and English class could collaborate with students from a History class using GoogleDocs without having to worry about being in the same classroom at the same time. Technological PLNs are a great resource for collaborative learning.