Journal #6- Grow Your Personal Learning Network (NETS I, III, V)

Warlick, D. (2009). Grow your personal learning network. Learning & Leading With Technology (36)6, Retrieved from http://istelearning.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Grow-Your-PLN.pdf

               With the new digital-age coming into play in education, building a personal learning network is a great way to share your knowledge, meet people with the same interests as you, and most importantly gain new knowledge to utilize. David Warlock addresses the different forms of PLNs you can use, and how to properly use your PLN.
               Personal  learning networks can be created through Twitter, Diigo, Second Life, Google Docs, Wikis, and Blogs to name a few. There are many resources out there to create a learning network that is personalized just for you. There are three types of Personal Learning Networks, which can encompass your social life and your business/ work life. The first type of PLN that you can create is  a personally maintained PLN with synchronous connections. This is the traditional PLN that includes the people and places you consult with every single day. IM and text messaging are two tools that can greatly enhance your PLN. The second type of PLN that is created is a personally and socially maintained semisynchronous connection. This type of PLN includes facebook, chatrooms and almost every other technological communication tool. It is only semisynchronous, so you are not synchronized with information 24/7. This type of PLN is very common for people with busy schedules, as schedules often prevent PLN members from engaging in their PLN 24/7. The third type of PLN is a PLN that connects us most often with sources that we feel are highly useful. This PLN is known as a dynamically maintained asynchronous connection. This type of PLN is easy to use as when you sign up for an aggregator such as Google Reader, your PLN is updated when they post new information. This type of PLN is training people to get information delivered to them. Having a PLN gives you a sense of responsibility to actively participate in your PLN as you most likely have network followers depending on you for new knowledge as well. PLN's are not about just acquiring information, you have a responsibility to contribute as well.
                 David Warlick presents us with a very useful publication distinguishing the three different types of PLN's, and how you can effectively use your PLN. The great thing about this publication that while PLN's are a great tool to participate in, once you create a PLN you have a responsibility to spread information as well.

Analysis Questions:
1.  How does Facebook qualify as a PLN?
                  A PLN is a network of people that you associate with frequently, or maybe once in a while. Generally a PLN is created to collaborate, spread ideas, and keep in contact with people that you affiliate with. Facebook qualifies as a PLN because you "friend" people that you share the same interests with, or people that you know, and posts are regularly made sharing ideas or even links to websites. Facebook allows you the opporunity to share with your friends website links, or other information that can be greatly useful. Generally people use Facebook as a personal leisure website, but information can be transmitted and spread.
2.  How do you start a PLN?
                  Starting a PLN is very simple. You first must choose a tool to create your PLN such as Diigo, Google Docs, Blogger, Wikis, or other collaborative tools that you see fit. Once you sign up and create your account, you describe what your interests are in your personal information. Once you have done that, you can search other people regarding to your interests. Once you find someone with the same interests as you, all you have to do is click " follow" or add them to your profile. Their posts will show up on your stream and you will gain new information from that person. Once you continue to find more people, your PLN further develops.
3. What is the difference between a PLN with synchronous connections and a PLN with semisynchronous connections?
                 A PLN with a synchronous connection is a PLN that you are always connected to. It is always synchronized to you and you are able to access it 24/7. Semisynchronous PLN's are PLN's that are not always synchronized. With a semisynchronous PLN, you are able to step away and take a break for a while. You don't always have to be connected.