Journal #6

Warlick, D. (March/April 2009). Grow Your Personal Learning Network. Learning & Leading, 36, Retrieved March 7, 2009, from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/Current_Issue/L_L_March_April.htm

In this article David Warlick discusses PLN's, or personal learning networks. He points out that, as technology changes, people have more choices about how to connect with each other, and easier ways to access information. He list the three types of PLN's, from more traditional to more complex ways of communicating. First, he discusses personally maintained synchronous connections, such as Skype and Ichat, where the user is basically focused on one way of communicating and/or asking questions. Everything happens in real time. Next, he brings up personally and socially maintained semi- synchronous connections, which is kind of like multi-tasking communication. This means that the user has multiple sources that may answer questions, or communicate with them, but the communication doesn't necessarily happen in real time. Finally, there are dynamically maintained asynchronous connections, such as RSS. With the other two types of PLN, the user has to seek out information, but with RSS, information comes directly to the user.

1. What is a way to use the more traditional, personally maintained synchronous connections in the classroom?

In my school the teachers communicate with each other using ichat, instead of the traditional phone. We are able to give each other information about the students or changes in the day by sending a message on ichat. I have found it to be much less interruptive that a phone. I have been trying to think of a way to have the students communicate in a similar way when we are in the computer lab. A problem I have been experiencing is that while we are in the lab the students have questions for each other and it tends to get a little loud and disruptive. I think using ichat or something similar would be useful in this type of situation.

2. How can I use these PLNs in my future as a student?

As I am learning about all this different technology, especially PLNs I start to wish more and more I had known this stuff during my undergrad. These PLNs allow for me to do so much more interacting with my peers outside of the classroom. When working on a group project the personally maintained synchronous connections can allow all the group members to chat live with each other instead of meeting up. Also something like googldocs, asocially maintained semi- synchronous connection, allows us to interact with each other without having to all be there at the same time!