Journal #6

"Grow Your Personal Learning Network" by David Warlick

Personal Learning Networks, PLNs, has been the traditional method of gathering information through friends, families, business associates, textbooks, radio and television. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has drastically changed things. Information no longer has to rely on be printed to circulate allowing all people to be heard. Learners now have a wealth of resources to create an individualized experience. These systems have “connected and cultivated communities of interest”. There are three types of PLNs, the first being personally maintained synchronous connections. These networks connect for the main purpose of asking and answering questions. New technologies, such as chat, instant messaging and teleconferencing, have improved these connections. The second type of PLN is personally and socially maintained semi-synchronous connections. In this environment, questions are sent out to a community of people with a common interest or purpose. Examples are texting, Facebook profiles, Twitter and Syndicaster. These connections are semi-synchronous because the conversations do not have to occur on real time. They are not limited by time or geographical location. The third kind of PLN is dynamically maintained asynchronous connections. The main component is the RSS aggregator such as Google Reader, Netvibes and Pageflakes. This environment connects people with information sources. For example, users can conduct ongoing blog searches that scan information and send the user relevant information in the form of new post. PLNs are very beneficial to teachers. Teachers have many roles and an important one is learner. These new technologies allow teachers to stay connected to the ever-changing world and to further their learning experience.

Question #1
What are the downsides of PLNs?

I think PLNs face the same issues that face everything in the virtual world pf communication. Once information is put online and made available to others, there is always the possibility that the information could get into the wrongs hands. Plagiarism occurs more often because students now have so many available sources. With PLNs, it is probably a good idea to have access limitations.


Question #2
How could I use PLNs in the classroom?

I would set up a virtual online classroom so allow communication to be ongoing, in and outside of the classroom. I could use a personally maintained synchronous connection to allow children to ask questions while they are doing their work, outside of school hours. Getting this information, I could be prepared to help the students saving class time.


Warlick, D. (March/April 2009). Grow Your Personal Learning Network. Learning & Leading with Technology, 36, Retrieved March 30, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue/L_L_March_April.htm