This blog has been inspired by Kay Oddones (2022) webinar on personal learning networks (PLN). I remember someone wise saying that learning only happens when you share it with someone. According to Davis White (20229 Visitors and Residents continuum Networked Learning is at the residents end of the continuum. This makes me reflect where I am in this continuum and if I intuitively try to built a network of my own? Being a knowledge worker I do understand the importance of PLN. My work has become very cross-disciplinary and for that purpose I need to effectively plan and structure my own learning and interact with others who will help my learning journey. I learn all the time from my colleagues, even our informal coffee meetings can be very educational since people present different disciplines. I found Helen Blunder´s (2020) 11 steps PNL process very handy in my reflection process. It starts by determining the need (can be even a small thing), I have an easy access to a lot of information through my university network. Then i just need to think who are the right people to connect with. I have just realized the power of Twitter in this matter. To be able effectively use the needed tools is sometimes very challenging so I will have to work on those. i also find it difficult to value my contribution to the other learners and being a true introvert the profile building. i am only learning to write comments and commenting others in for example LinkedIn, I have mainly just read what others are contributing in my communities (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram). Collaboration projects are familiar to me since they are widely used in university context. I have great PLN experiences from several EU Erasmus projects during the last decade.
I would say that PLN is a tool for a Lifelong Learning. Luckily we have the technology to support this, especially in light of the current economic and social changes we are going through. The key in PLN is not the learning content but where (or who) to connect to and to find it. (Oddone 2022, Shift elearning 2022)
Social learning according to Dron & Anderson (2014) only happens through interaction with others ( cited in Oddone 2022). Students very often feel that the workload is not equal (free-riders) or that there are challenges with commitment or communication problems. Reading Brindley et al (2009) makes me think that we still have a bit to go towards true collaboration in an online environment. The challenges that Capdeferro et al (2012) discuss a decade ago are still there in today´s higher education. Students need a lot more support to truly understand the value of collaborative learning.
I feel eager to face the future challenges regarding collaborative learning and keep doing my best in creating a good experience in an online environment.
Sources:
Blunden Helen, (2022) How to Build Your Personal Learning Network https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA0vKYhGQmg
Brindley J, Blaschke L M and Walti C (2009) Creating effective collaborating learning groups in an online environment. “The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning; 10 (3)
Capdeferro N and Romero M (2012) Are online frustrated with collaborative learning experiences? “The International review of research in open and distance learning; 13(2); 26-44
Oddone Kay Webinar 19th of April 2022
Shift elearning (2022) https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/personal-learning-networks
White David, 2022 blog. http://daveowhite.com/
