What is a PLN? Why is it important to me and why do I need it?

In case you are wondering, a PLN stands for ‘Personal Learning Network’. A PLN is essentially a place or network in which individuals create their own personal learning space in order to connect individuals with similar interests whether those interests are work related for example education or a casual PLN. It offers individuals with a learning space where they can connect online and share resources with each other. For example, teachers can connect through a PLN and share resources or news with each other in order to become better educators/future educators and improve their teaching skills.

“A PLN is developed primarily through social media sources, such as Twitter, Facebook, and teacher blogs. By developing professional relationships electronically, teachers can immediately post their latest articles, research, experiences, or discoveries.” (“What is a PLN? Why Do I Need One?”, 2016).

In my opinion, I find a PLN created through online resources very useful and practical as it allows the members to be able to connect and learn without the need of being physically present. I believe a PLN is better and easier for individuals rather than meeting and conferences. Let’s be honest, if people had the opportunity to be a part of a PLN and use it in the comfort of their own home it would be preferred much more than attended conferences and meetings in which you must be physically present. This may then motivate the participate to stay connected which then leads to them deepening their understanding and capabilities as future educators.

David Warlick argues that through PLNs “Learners become amplifiers as they engage in knowledge-building activities, connect what they learn, add value to existing knowledge and ideas, and re-issue them back into the network to be captured by others through their PLNs.” (Warlick, 2009).

So, why do I need a PLN?
Well, as David Warlick states, a personal learning network is significant as it provides us with information that are beneficial for our jobs. I think that it is important for myself and fellow future educators to have a PLN as it is a method of gathering sources of material and information that will assist us in providing the children with a high quality education. As technologies continues to evolve and progress, this makes it easier to find information and add further resources and information into a PLN.

REFERENCES:

What is a PLN? Why Do I Need One? (2016). Teach HUB. Retrieved 3 September 2016, from http://www.teachhub.com/what-pln-why-do-i-need-one

Warlick, D. (2009) Grow Your Personal Learning Network. Learning and Leading with Technology. Pp 12–16.