Of course, NOW, I think it is really important to have a personal learning network. At first, when I was reading this assignment, I misunderstood and thought it was going to be about PLCs. I have had a lot of experience with PLCs (Professional Learning Communities). I think they are very similar—in fact, I think you can have a PLC through a PLN!
Do I have a PLN? Not formally, other than the classes I have been taking. Honestly,I hadn’t really thought about it. The real reason I have been taking classes in computer/internet applications is that “technology” and “21st Century Learning” are the buzzwords/phrases in education right now. I have been in a multimedia class, an Integration of Technology class and now, this class, Teaching and Learning in a networked classroom but I still feel like a stranger in a strange land. In the past months, I have learned more than I can keep track of in my head so, really, I have been relying on my classes (instructors), my fellow students and my colleagues for advice, inspiration and techniques. I know that soon there will be a time when I am going to need to be able to find a lot of this information outside my personal world and so I definitely see the value in creating a network. I have to say I am really liking the whole blogging thing… it makes a huge difference to me to get my thoughts out in a visible way and the comments and suggestions are very helpful. I also like my brand-new Diigo toolbar and all the opportunities I am still uncovering through it's use. I do, however, feel quite overwhelmed with the RSS feed and some of the other Web 2.0 tools we have that filter and hand us information. Reading Miguel Guhlin's posting on Wes Fryer's Moving at the Speed of Creativity weblog at least made me feel like I am not alone. Here's a quote from Guhlin's posting on Personal Learning Networks:
"As someone who awoke to that fact just a few years ago, I am continually astonished at the rapidity of change. In fact, I had my first — and so far, only — panic attack in July 2005, when driving down the highway to work, I realized that the world is changing faster than I can keep up."
Personally, I have always been very good at multi tasking in terms of my physical social world, but the networking thing online, while exciting, can be very daunting. I know it is going to be something I will become familiar with and I also know that, while it is always uncomfortable to learn something new, ultimately, the discomfort is worth the return. I guess, in a way, this is a good lesson to have anyway as I am always asking my students to trust me and to be uncomfortable... always promising them that it will be worth it.
But, here I am. And, yes.. I should have a PLN. Anyone want to be in one with me?
I know. The PLN and PLC thing does go hand in hand! That was my proposal to the Christa McAuliffe technology conference this year. How to create a PLN and share with your PLC! It is ok to feel overwhelmed. I do admit that my google reader is insane! I tend to look at it on rainy days or late nights when I have a little time. I never can get to all of them and that is OK. There is so much information, like you said, not one person could humanly get through it all! That is why we rely on others to share it with us and sort of weed out the bad from the good. Keep it up, you are getting the hang of it !!
ReplyDeleteAngela,
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel with being overwhelmed. I think back to when I first started the classes for my Master's program, Online Teaching and Learning. I kept thinking, when and how am I going to have time, to make time to keep track of all of the new tools and resrouces, and rss feeds and networking, too much too soon!
As I progressed through my program I picked and chose which I thought were the most valuable and practical for my needs and my students'. My best discovery? Diigo and Delicious. I have to say, without tools like these, everything I have come across along the way would be a jumbled mess!
I have just started venturing into the PLN world. I hope I have more time for it in the future!