Journal #6: Building Your PLN (NETS-T:3,5)

Warlick, D. (2009). Growing your personal learning network. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36(6), Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200904?pg=4#pg1 

 

Connecting with people and information is an important part of being a teacher.  Build a PLN, or personal learning network, can is a way to gather information and connect with teachers and educators across the world.  In his article, David Warlick, explains how to actively and effectively build your PLN through three different avenues: personally maintained synchronous connections, personally and socially maintained semisynchronous connections, and dramatically maintained asynchronous connections. While personally maintained synchronous connections include the basics like ichat, and instant message to connect to people already in your network, personally and socially maintained semisynchronous connections provide your PLN with collaboration that does not have to happen in real time and can happen across different avenues and happen while connecting or doing something else. Dynamically maintained asynchronous connection, on the other hand, allow us to connect with information. Warlick explains the importance of organizing and gathering the information you want through an RSS aggregator. In this sense, you are able to "sick back and relax," and let the information come to you.  Most importantly, Warlick explains that building your PLN takes responsibility and constant gathering and learning.

Question 1: How would you use the concept of a PLN in the classroom? I would, most importantly, use my PLN to gather information and others ideas to keep my classroom interesting and up-to-date. Also, helping students build their own PLN with their peers and and with information involving what topics we are covering in class.

Question 2: How would you avoid getting caught up in the mess of PLNs? I would, as Warlick explains, stay responsible and aware of the time spent on my PLN. Also, I would invest in a good RSS aggregator and constantly check in with the information I have been gathering.