Warlick, D. (2009). Growing your personal learning network. Learning & Leading, 36(6). http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-march-april-2009.aspx
Prior to reading this article, my knowledge of Personal Learning Networks (PLNs), was very little. I really thought that the extent of it was Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn. What I failed to realize was that even before the internet, just as David Warlick mentioned, PLNs have always been. Umm...duh, Nikki...just, duh! Where did we get our information from before? Family members, friends, television ads, radio stations/hosts, co-workers, that guy that works at that one place, etc.
Prior to reading this article, my knowledge of Personal Learning Networks (PLNs), was very little. I really thought that the extent of it was Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn. What I failed to realize was that even before the internet, just as David Warlick mentioned, PLNs have always been. Umm...duh, Nikki...just, duh! Where did we get our information from before? Family members, friends, television ads, radio stations/hosts, co-workers, that guy that works at that one place, etc.
"Back in the day", people would get ideas from others just on a chance that something relevant may come up in conversation and/or brainstorm. However, now information is at our fingertips and in this era we are able to join PLNs such as Twitter, Facebook, Diigo, Delicious, and different blogs pertaining to the subject of your preference.
Warlick points out three different categories of PLNs, Personally maintained synchronous connections, Personally and socially maintained semi synchronous connections, and Dynamically maintained asynchronous connections. The first two mentioned can be used both professionally as well as personally. Personally maintained synchronous connections are text messages, Skype, iChat, etc. These can be used for either long distance relationships or for conference meetings/communication. Personally and socially maintained semi synchronous connections are the social networks that can also be used interchangeably such as Twitter, Facebook, and Google Documents. These are referred to as semi synchronous because they are not instantaneous, one person may leave a comment, and someone else can comment on it weeks later. Dynamically maintained asynchronous connections are those that are strictly used for work related research, ideas, and communication about anything related. Such forums might be Diigo, Delicious, and certain associations.
Regardless of the category associated with, it is unavoidable in this day and age, to be connected with any sort of Personal Learning Network.
Questions:
1. What are a few PLNs that you had prior to this class and did not realize?
I had a MySpace and Friendster before (no longer existing) and have a Facebook now. I even set up a Facebook for the company I work with in order to get in contact with our end user, but I still didn't realize that I was participating in a PLN.
2. What category of PLN is probably more commonly used?
Personally maintained synchronous connections are probably the most commonly used PLN. Text messaging alone has made a huge shift in our culture. Video chats and instant messaging are also evolving in our culture quickly as well.
Questions:
1. What are a few PLNs that you had prior to this class and did not realize?
I had a MySpace and Friendster before (no longer existing) and have a Facebook now. I even set up a Facebook for the company I work with in order to get in contact with our end user, but I still didn't realize that I was participating in a PLN.
2. What category of PLN is probably more commonly used?
Personally maintained synchronous connections are probably the most commonly used PLN. Text messaging alone has made a huge shift in our culture. Video chats and instant messaging are also evolving in our culture quickly as well.
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