Who Needs To Know About Your PLN?

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Photo By Team Hallam

Before taking EDCI 338, I had no idea that the connections I built and content I absorbed online could be collectively described by a professional term like PLN. My understanding of PLN was superficial—in my life, it boiled down to comments on Instagram Stories, cooking tutorial videos on YouTube, and quirky tidbits on Twitter. Back then, I was more of an advocate for entertainment-focused PLNs, never delving into their deeper significance—just maximizing the fun factor.

Over the past few weeks of study, I’ve developed a broader and deeper understanding of Personal Learning Networks. As graduation approaches, I’ve realized that perhaps PLNs can be integrated into my life in a more professional manner. During this period, I’ve tried to appreciate the role PLNs can play in professional fields, moving beyond their entertainment value on social media. I began building my professional PLN by reflecting on “Who am I?” on platforms like LinkedIn and creating a professional profile. Though it may not seem particularly robust yet, I consider it a solid start. Secondly, I focused on professional knowledge sharing. As a Psychology major, I started summarizing useful information from articles published by Psychology professionals on social media. This became supplementary knowledge for my major courses, giving me, an ordinary undergraduate student, the opportunity to participate in professional discussions.

At the same time, a question has been on my mind: Who needs to know about my PLN? Before studying EDCI 338, I might have answered: my Snapchat friends or classmates on Instagram. But now, I’d say: peers in my professional field and future colleagues. Social media provides opportunities to exchange information resources and share ideas and experiences, which greatly benefits my future planning and professional life. While reading Chapter 16 of Digital Leader: 5 Simple Keys to Success and Influence, one sentence particularly stood out to me: “As we’ve built up our connections, part of their value is the wisdom they will be able to supply. Every connection we have knows something that we do not.” Information sharing on social media is like piecing together a puzzle; the final image is an infinite wisdom.

Overall, this course on Personal Learning Networks has been immensely beneficial. It not only helped me redefine the meaning of social media but also prompted me to reflect on the question “Who am I?”—enabling me to discover the roles I might play in society and the value I bring to life. In my previous understanding, my attitude toward PLNs was one of drifting along, endlessly seeking only their entertainment value. PLNs have the full potential to become vital tools for personal growth and the most efficient medium for connecting with outstanding peers.

Reference

Qualman, E. (2012). Digital leader : 5 simple keys to success and influence. New York Mcgraw-Hill C.

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