The process of creating my Personal Learning Network (PLN) was a very interesting experience, because of the “technology and global interconnectedness providing the opportunity for a much wider, richer and more diverse PLN than ever before” (Fish, K). To be honest, I did not expect my Personally Maintained Synchronous Connections to be so small. I always thought that I had more people of substance in my life to give me advice and some guidance. After the creation of my PLN, I realize that I go to the same people for advice every time. It also showed me that there are some personally and socially maintained semi-synchronous connections that I’m not taking advantage of, and could increase my ability to grow my personal and professional networks.

    My PLN starts with a view of the entire network, this is a good way to appreciate the scale and connection of my PLN. It proceeds to a picture of me at the center and then it divides into two sections. The first section is titled Technology PLN and the second is titled People PLN. I begin this first section with Technology PLN, these are my connections to people, places, and things, for the most part, through technology. This section breaks down further into 6 parts, e-books, multimedia, content aggregators, news and magazines, the cloud, and social networking. All of these sections are subdivided into where and when the connections take place. My PLN continues with a return to the picture of myself and then it moves to the second section, which is titled People PLN. These are my connections to people face to face, or through technology, which whom I consult for answers, problem solving, and accomplishing goals. From here it is broken down into only two sections, Phone, and Face to Face and Online. These two sections are divided down into the individual people that are my PLN. As they are mentioned in this display I mention the main item of importance they teach me. Regarding changes to my PLN, in my personal life I don’t see my network changing much at this point in time, I expect that there will be more additions that subtractions as I continue my professional career and colleagues become friends. Also, I plan on working and being responsible with my PLN just as David Warlick says, “Working your PLN involves a great deal of responsibility because you are almost certainly part of some one else’s network”(Warlick, D). I do see my professional network growing and tightening as more people become part of my professional development. I expect that my professional network will be filled with people that hold my same ideals about education and schooling. I must keep in mind to allow for people of different points of view to belong to my network in order to promote challenge and growth. 

    Creating this Personal Learning Network was truly an interesting venture. Once I recreate or expand this in the near future, I expect to see large positive changes for both my personal and professional PLN and the people, places, and things I use for advise, problem solving, and guidance.

 

 

 

 

Work Cited

 

Fish, K. (2008, February 24). My Personal Learning Network in Action.

 

    Retrieved Jan. 23, 2013 

        From http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-personal-learning-network-in-action.html [website] 

 

 

David Warlick. (2009, March 01). Grow Your Personal Learning Network.

 

    Retrieved Jan. 23, 2013 

 

        From http://landmark-project.com/workshops/handouts/gypln_ll.pdf [website] 

 

 

David Warlick. (2009, March 01). Grow Your Personal Learning Network.

 

    Retrieved Jan. 23, 2013 

 

        From http://landmark-project.com/workshops/handouts/gypln_ll.pdf [website]