Types of Personal Learning Networks
This block focuses on the types of connections that exist in a personal learning network. Some networks are maintained personally, some combine personal and social and others are quite dynamic. It is important that we look at these three as we consider how to use these networks to our advantage and professional development as teachers.
Personally maintained synchronous connections
This is the traditional network that includes the people and places you consult to answer questions, solve problems and accomplish goals. Today, however, you can enhance this PLN with new tools such as chat, instant and text messaging, teleconferencing (Skype) and Twitter. It’s like attending a meeting at work, only better, because the traditional barriers of geography, background, language and culture become transparent.
Personally and socially maintained semi-synchronous connections
These are conversations or questions that are directed to a group of people or a community of people with common interest and expertise so that they can help. Semi-synchronous refers to the idea that collaboration does not have to happen in real time. Not only can the collaborators be geographically distant, but they can also participate in a discussion when it works best for their schedules, regardless of time zones or office hours. The tools you can use to build and grow this type of network include mailing lists, wikis, Google Docs, Twitter, group discussion boards and comment walls in Facebook, and commenting on blogs,among others.
Dynamically maintained asynchronous connections
The first two types of PLN connect us with each other, but this type more often connects us with content sources that we have identified as valuable. The central tool for dynamically maintained asynchronous connections is the RSS aggregator. Aggregators such as Google Reader, Netvibes and Pageflakes are now at the core of many educators’ PLNs because they bring us information that helps us do our jobs.
Benefits of Personal Learning Networks
- Professional development – learn from content-area specialists;
- Locate resources for your classroom, such as free websites and software;
- Get lesson plan ideas from master teachers;
- Learn about new technology and how to integrate it into your teaching;
- Find collaborative solutions;
- Find interesting links to education news.