PLN & Education

In this era, education is no longer confined to face-to-face instruction. Increasingly, people are choosing to share knowledge and resources online. Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) enable teachers to impart experience and ideas to students via the internet, while students can independently absorb the essence of knowledge through online platforms. This open educational environment warrants exploration.

The Role of PLN in Education

Whether as knowledge providers or seekers, PLN undeniably streamlines teaching and learning. Its greatest advantage lies in the rapid dissemination of knowledge; its unrestricted nature ensures new educational resources are accessible immediately. For instance, when I previously wanted to learn about adjusting aperture in photography, I chose to watch tutorial videos on YouTube. The entire process took less than an hour, significantly boosting my learning efficiency. Moreover, for disadvantaged groups like youth from impoverished families who cannot afford expensive university tuition, they can build their own PLN by searching online to learn any knowledge they desire. For educators, professional instructors sharing learning resources online can inspire teachers to adopt more effective methods for educating students.

Issues with PLN in Education

An unrestricted environment inevitably carries risks. It’s difficult to verify the authenticity of knowledge and information. Within PLN, people enjoy freedom of speech, and knowledge doesn’t require professional certification. Without sufficient judgment skills, this can lead to the dissemination of misinformation. For instance, a teacher might watch an unprofessional online video claiming to teach methods for making students pay more attention. Applying these techniques in real-world teaching could yield disappointing results—potentially making students less attentive and leaving the teacher frustrated and disheartened. Thus, to fully leverage PLN resources, both teachers and students must maintain critical thinking skills to absorb only what is genuinely useful.

PLN VS Reality

After watching Harry Dyer’s TED talk, I found myself reflecting. He noted that many people have erected a high wall between PLNs and face-to-face knowledge transfer—some believe online learning should be resisted, while others view in-person discussions as outdated and obsolete. Harry Dyer asserts that we shouldn’t waste energy propping up this wall; instead, we should tear it down. Some students watch YouTube videos online, engage in offline discussions, and then share their insights online. His perspective clearly conveys one thing: we should integrate PLN with real-world teaching to make the education system more complete and perfect.

Considerations for PLNs Among Vulnerable Groups

PLNs in education must maintain inclusivity. Some students may face internet restrictions, physical or language barriers, which can lead to low engagement or exposure to negative comments. Therefore, both educators and students must protect others’ privacy, regulate their own speech, and refrain from reckless behavior simply because the internet provides a “mask” of anonymity. Self-discipline should always be etched in our minds.

Reference

Dyer, H. (2016). Incorporating & accounting for Social Media in Education | Harry Dyer | TEDxNorwichED [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZteEZbAtsNI

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