What is a Personal Learning Network (PLN)?
Personal learning networks (PLNs), also sometimes referred to as “professional learning networks” are “uniquely personalised, complex systems of interactions consisting of people, resources and digital tools that support ongoing learning and professional growth” (Trust, Krutka and Carpenter, 2016, p. 28). Teachers have been participating in PLNs since the beginning of the profession. However, what these PLNs look like and how far they reach has changed dramatically over the last 25 years. Where PLNs once involved immediate colleagues, they are now mainly online in nature and without geographical, spatial and temporal boundaries.
Personal learning networks (PLNs), also sometimes referred to as “professional learning networks” are “uniquely personalised, complex systems of interactions consisting of people, resources and digital tools that support ongoing learning and professional growth” (Trust, Krutka and Carpenter, 2016, p. 28). Teachers have been participating in PLNs since the beginning of the profession. However, what these PLNs look like and how far they reach has changed dramatically over the last 25 years. Where PLNs once involved immediate colleagues, they are now mainly online in nature and without geographical, spatial and temporal boundaries.
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For more detail on the theory and practice of PLN’s check out Kay Oddone’s blog post and associated Youtube videos.
Why do teachers and educational leaders need a PLN?
Teaching is often referred to as an isolating profession. Some teachers, in particular educational leaders may be the only person in their particular roles within a school and by building a PLN these teachers and leaders can engage with peers on a global scale and feel supported (Trust, Carpenter and Krutka, 2018, p. 137).
Seminars, conferences and other traditional forms of professional learning are often criticised and their effect on pedagogy questioned. Due to the voluntary nature of PLNs teachers who participate tend to be more motivated and have greater improvements in their professional learning and digital literacy due to the participants learning what they want, when they want it and with whom they want (Tour, 2017, p. 189).
In the evolving information landscape people often experience information overwhelm. By participating in PLNs a teachers network can act as a web filter for content (Luca, 2015) allowing teachers to share content as well as collaborate on content development. Due to the global nature of PLNs teachers can connect with colleagues all over the world to gain their perspectives, connect and collaborate on projects.
Teaching is often referred to as an isolating profession. Some teachers, in particular educational leaders may be the only person in their particular roles within a school and by building a PLN these teachers and leaders can engage with peers on a global scale and feel supported (Trust, Carpenter and Krutka, 2018, p. 137).
Seminars, conferences and other traditional forms of professional learning are often criticised and their effect on pedagogy questioned. Due to the voluntary nature of PLNs teachers who participate tend to be more motivated and have greater improvements in their professional learning and digital literacy due to the participants learning what they want, when they want it and with whom they want (Tour, 2017, p. 189).
In the evolving information landscape people often experience information overwhelm. By participating in PLNs a teachers network can act as a web filter for content (Luca, 2015) allowing teachers to share content as well as collaborate on content development. Due to the global nature of PLNs teachers can connect with colleagues all over the world to gain their perspectives, connect and collaborate on projects.
Figure 1. Duckworth, S. (2018). 10 reasons why every teacher needs a P.L.N. Image. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/sylviaduckworth/26933924834/
How to start or build your PLN?
View the following Powtoon for steps and tips on how to start a PLN or build on your existing PLN. Once you have viewed the Powtoon complete the Flipgrid activity below to help your colleagues to build their PLN. |
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Further Resources
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