Recently, I have been introduced to the concept of a Personal Learning Network, also known by the acronym PLN. At first, just the acronym was introduced with this concept with the possibility of having a dual meaning. The other meaning that this acronym may embody is that of a Professional Learning Network. Whatever the acronym you want to use, at its core it is a network. Like any network, it has different nodes where information intersects with other information. The ultimate purpose of this network is to facilitate learning. Essentially, the PLN is a tool used for learning.
As I have tried to understand this concept, I have come to the realization that I already have a PLN. However, my PLN is not formal, but rather a loose federation of news websites, search engines, and social networks that I use to gather information and learn. In this way, my PLN is like a wildflower meadow where I pick and choose what information flowers catch my eye to enhance my way of knowing. The best part of my PLN is that I choose what resources I want to use to learn what I want to know.
On the other hand, all that information out there, which in no way is limited to the sources I listed before, can be overwhelming. Just the resources that are included in search engine results can inundate you with superfluous and redundant information. To combat this information overload, you need to curate trusted sources of information and seek people that can guide you in your pursuit of knowing. Formally curating these sources can transform you’re a Personal Learning Network into a Professional Learning Network.
Anytime that I have gone through to search for something that I don't know, I believe that that I have learned something. Specifically, I remember last semester when I was taking the Professional Writings in HRD class, I went to Khan Academy to brush up on my grammar, as I haven't had any formal grammar training in quite some time. I trust the Khan Academy and I have used them before to learn things in other subjects, particularly math.
ReplyDeleteThe only tip that I could recommend for curating sources for a PLN would be to use a trusted source. I think that people gauge their trust in different ways. For me, I like to use Wikipedia when I am searching for specific things to look for. Unfortunately, Wikipedia can be edited by anyone, so if I am using it as a basis for my search for knowledge, I usually go to the references at the bottom of the page and dig up the references that were used in the article. Also, I like to go to encyclopedia websites to find information. I still remember a time when that was the best way to find information, and you knew that you could trust the accuracy of the information that was presented as it had to go through a vetting process to make it into the encyclopedia to be published.