personal learning networks and personal learning environments

09/04/2023 BY T.M MATLOU

PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORKS AND PERSONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

HOW IS LEARNING STRUCTURED?

Learning is centered around the interests of the learner

This learning is immersive – learning by doing

The computer connects the student to the rest of the world

PERSONAL

LEARNING

NETWORK

Learning networks are about:

providing sustainable value to students, not only during the course, but also after its finishing

stimulating them to contribute their knowledge, insights and experiences on a continuous basis

Spider web: an example of a connection

http://www.pestproducts.com

Making connections

In connectivism, learning involves creating connections and developing a network. It is a theory for the digital age drawing upon chaos, emergent properties, and self organised learning.

(It’s not what you know but who you know)

We are family

http://pro.corbis.com

A learning network is a group of people who create, share, support and study learning resources (“units of learning”) in a specific knowledge domain.

We can get an idea of what the PLE looks like by drilling down into the pieces…

Model- conceptual frameworks

- wiki (wiki API, RSS)- concept maps (SVG, mapping format)- gliffy (SVG?)

- reference frameworks- Wikipedia- video / 2L 3D representation – embedded

spaces

The question is – how to transport and represent models that are actually used?

Demonstrate- reference examples

- code library- image samples

- thought processes- show experts at work (Chaos Manor)

- application- case studies- stories

The question is, how can we connect the learner with the community at work?

Practice- scaffolded practice- game interfaces- sandboxes

- job aids- flash cards- cheat sheets

- games and simulations- mod kits- mmorpgs

The question is, how can we enable access to multiple environments that support various activities?

Reflection- guided reflection- forms-based input- presentations and seminars

- journaling- blogs, wikis

- communities- discussion, sharing

The question is, how can we assist people to see themselves, their practice, in a mirror?

Choice – Identity - Creativity- simulated or actual environments that present tasks or problems- OpenID, authentication, feature or profile development- Portfolios & creative libraries

People talk about ‘motivation’ – but the real

issue here is ownership

PERSONAL

LEARNING

ENVIRONMENT

(PLEs)

Key words that best define PLE

Choice

Identity

Creativity

PLEs are systems that help learners take control of and manage their own learning. This includes providing support for learners to set their own learning goals, manage their learning; managing both content and process; communicate with others in the process of learning and thereby achieve learning goals.

PLEs building laid the foundations of some main ideas:

learning is an ongoing process and tools to support this learning are needed

the role of the individual in self-organizing learning is important

learning can take place in different contexts and situations and cannot be provided by a single learning provider.

Personal Learning Environments

PersonalLearning Environment

Personal Learning Network

PersonalWeb Tools

Source: http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.com/2010/07/anatomy-of-ple.html

PLEs are not only personal web tools

and personal learning networks.

PLEs are much wider than this, taking in experiences and realia, as well as

learning through TV, music, paper based materials, radio &

more formal contexts.Learning content is

not as important now as where (or who) to connect to, to find it.

PWTs are any web tools, (usually Web

2.0) chosen by learners to support

their lifelong learning.

Human activities are mediated by

culturally established

instruments such as tools and language.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978) Mind in Society: The development of

higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA:

Harvard University Press

http://www.phillwebb.net

Social Learning

We can use computers to extend the

capabilities of our own minds.

They can become the

repositories of our knowledge.

http://www.phillwebb.net

Social Learning

Computers as mind tools

New Environments

• Multimedia explosion podcasts, vodcasts, YouTube, Slideshare, more

• Mobile computingmobile phones, PDAs, etc.

• The 3D web Second Life is a start, we will see more of this

New environments

also

include so

cial n

etwork

s

Social Media use

>500 Million

>100 Million>50 Million

>125 Million

>14 million

articles>4 Billion images

Source: http://econsultancy.com

2 Billion views/day24 hours/minute

Conclusion

The transition from PLE to PLN is an important step that supports students to become self-organized and life-long learners

References

Downes, S. (2007, April 19). The Future of Online Learning and Personal Learning Environments. Retrieved march 13, 2013, from http://slideshare.net/Downes

Ivanova, M. (2009, April 10). From Personal Learning Environment Building to Professional Learning Network Forming. Retrieved march 13, 2013, from http://slideshare.net/malinkaiva

Wheeler, S. (2009, October 11). It's Personal: Learning Spaces, Learning Webs. Retrieved march 13, 2013, from http://www.slideshare.net/timbuckteeh

Wheeler, S. (2011, February 04). The Future of Learning. Retrieved march 13, 2013, from http://www.slideshare.net/timbuckteeth