My Growing Personal Learning Network

This week introduced the concept of Personal Learning Networks, or PLNs. While I had heard the term before, I realized that I have been building a PLN for years without intentionally thinking about it.

My PLN includes colleagues at work, classmates in my graduate program, educational technology professionals, social media accounts I follow, and online groups where educators share ideas and resources. Each of these connections contributes something different to my learning and professional growth.

One aspect of a PLN that I appreciate is that learning is not limited to a classroom or professional development session. Many of the ideas I use in my own practice come from conversations with other educators, articles shared online, and examples posted on social media. These informal learning opportunities often provide practical strategies that I can immediately apply.

As someone pursuing a degree in instructional design and educational technology, I can also see how my PLN may continue to evolve. I hope to connect with more professionals in the field, learn about emerging technologies, and gain insights from people with different experiences and expertise.

This week's module reminded me that learning is often a social process. The people we connect with, the communities we join, and the resources we engage with all play a role in shaping our growth. Moving forward, I want to be more intentional about developing my PLN and contributing to the learning of others as well.


Comments

  1. KGabbingMay 31, 2026 at 3:12 PM

    I love your graphic! I especially enjoy the "Growing Together" and "Why it Matters" elements. This is easy to follow and covers a complex, multi-layered dynamic well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. jellyfishJune 2, 2026 at 10:52 AM

    Yeah, PLN reminds me of connectivism, which suggests that knowledge is distributed and we can acquire knowledge by networking with other people and tools. I think connecting with them can be another way to learn sth new (like PLN), and it's actually difficult for me as an introverted person.😅

    ReplyDelete

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