In 2009 Elliott, described a PLN as a ‘set of resources, both physical and digital, of your own choice, which are always available, and are used for the growth of personal knowledge and skills required to thrive in emerging information environments’ (p. 48)
In 2013 Whitby updated the idea of a PLN to identify it as a ‘tool that uses social media and technology to collect, communicate, collaborate and create with connected colleagues anywhere at any time.’
A PLN is not dependent on the number of people you follow, it’s more than a social network. Lalande reminds us through the social platform of YouTube that a PLN is the people we connect with, to learn from.
What is a PLN – Marc-Andre Lalande’s take (2012)
Nussbaum-Beach(2013) points out, a PLN becomes such through interactions, discussions and the sharing information by people with common goals.
The graphic below is a snapshot of the structure of a PLN. Around you are your physical and digital resources moving freely in and out of your PLN as you need. Everyone in your PLN has a common goal and membership to any PLN is not restricted. In a PLN everyone is working together to connect, communicate and collaborate to become better teachers. Your personal network is formed over time and shaped by your goals, what you learn and what you share.
Image credit: Penny Harrison
