Reflection of 2nd week

     
             In the website of elearning industry, there has a good article discussing "why people need to build personal learning network". Before this week, I thought most of our PLN has been built naturally. People have similar interests or same career background want to connect together to share information and save for later. Except for one assignment requiring student to interview an instructional designer, I had never deliberately build my learning network. I don't think I am a "professional" or a " talkative" person in any area. However, I gradually realize that as I enter into this area-"instructional technology", building an dynamic network is the basic and necessity. When I am reading this article, my understanding to "PLN" goes deeper.

            First of all, the article mentioned that our world becomes complex and interconnected because of changes in five ares: technology, globalization, demography and longevity, restructuring of society, and depleting energy resources (Sahana, 2016). All of them require interpersonal connections. And obviously, the trends is moving to "online interpersonal connections". The article makes a great metaphor that "PLN" has a "butterfly effect" which means "A flutter of a butterfly’s wing can literally and metaphorically cause a typhoon halfway round the world'(Sahana,2016). You can imagine how strong a effect is when a researcher win the Nobel prize in a new area. All of the scholars in his or her PLN may change their researching direction and the funding from the university may deliver to that area. If you don't have such "PLN" but you are in the same area with that researcher, you lose the advantages. 

          Following is the diagram showing how many steps people constructing the personal learning network. The first one is explore, and then is collect, review, recreate and share. It seems very easy to follow, but to what degree we are following above steps and cultivate as a habit? When I found one article is very interesting, I usually save (collect ) it or share it, but rarely comment to it. I may worry my comments are not making sense, or maybe ignored and being underestimated. However, as the process you are building the "PLN", no review ( comment) means no continuum. 
   

             I tried many social media and tools in last week and this week. As Professor Vanessa mentioned, I already feel I am "drinking from the firehouse" and overwhelmed. In this article, the author point out that " the effective personal learning network is its diversity". With the connection of various people or groups of people, it will be easier to construct a more complete opinion or get inspired. 

            Last, it even not a simple thing to start when build your personal learning network. Specific skills are required: If I don't take this class, I may never know about "curation". I won't know "reddit", "net vibe", or RSS feed. Moreover, as I start to know blog is another way to build community or PLN, I realize that I need skills to build up my unique blog to attract people. Therefore, all the skills you are learning to use certain "social media", or "online tools" may become the foundational competence to build your strong PLN. 

         Following are lists of suggestions the article provide. I found it is very important, so I want to share it with you!

        

• Sharing useful content. 
• Interacting respectfully. 
• Valuing and expressing gratitude for help received. 
• Reaching out and helping others pro-actively. 
• Not being afraid to be vulnerable.   

   

My PLN: Printerst and Facebook

 
     Yesterday, I am doing the research about "personal learning network". I happened to find a very good resource for educators. It is called edublog  which is a place for teachers to join professional development, share thoughts, spread ideas. It has a good feature that guiding and helping teachers to build their PLN. Through Edublog, you can post educational blogs, viewing other professional's work and conduct your own online lesson. This is really a great platform to start with. It even provides the tasks for learners to build their PLN.
 
      Following is a good video showing what is "PLN" in addition to Professor Dennen's :)

   

 
      It makes clear that PLN may be not limited to Online network, but, the globally online connection makes it special! Because of Pinterest, I start to know a lot of creative teachers who dedicate to create engaging and fun activities for learners. A lot of free printable materials you can only find on Pinterest. Through Pinterest, educators interested in the similar topic have the strong connection. They discuss their thoughts, successful projects they had done before, free materials they can share to others. As a teacher, I enjoy leaving comments or give credits to those creative educators. This is one of my main resource of PLN.

     Another PLN for my future career is building through Facebook. I joined a group called instructional designer. This online public group can be seen as both a forum as well as a professional development site. There are tons of professionals in the field of instructional design provide supports and guidance for future ISDer. For example, there has article teaching "how to use content curation in learning and development strategy", the article introducing " how to use gamification in the instructional design" or news discussing " the development of virtual classroom". Moreover, It also gives a place to post ISDer internship and job opportunities for graduating students. I am not only starting to build personal learning network with professional ISDers but also learn the experiences and obtain advises from them. See, this is my special PLN in two fields related to my previous work in K-12 education and future career in Instructional Design.

      The following picture is also from Edublog. "Why you should begin your PLN'. There are a lot of keywords mentioned I found are very interesting! I hope it can inspire you too!
 
   

   
 

PLN

                                 Personal Learning Network

   In the PLN presentation Professor Dennen shared on the Adobe Spark, she discussed " which PLN is right for you". It really makes sense to me. She said, " if you are a person always want to read everything in detail and don't want to miss anything or stress up when the information overloaded, you may need a smaller PLN". On the other hand, " if you are a skimmer, you don't worry about things you missed and you enjoy a large load of information, you may have larger PLN". I start to think what kind of people I am. I was conservative and hesitate in trying new tech-tools because I am a person don't like to socialize. However, when I am realizing social network can promote learning and spread out knowledge in a more efficient way, I start to feel fascinated by all kinds of social medias. I specifically like Professor Dennen's point that "if I miss something, I don't worry about it. Instead, I will move forward and start where I am". It is really a good philosophy. I will try to adopt it and release some of my anxiety.

   

The Second Week for class EME 6414

      The first week of EME6414 for me is both very long and very fast. Why am I saying that? It requires a lot of work for the learners and I enjoy trying all the new stuff, listening to the audio presentation and do the research online. I am so glad this course can motivate me to write a consistent blog. Most of my blogger only live for several months and died because of all kind of excuse, busy work, sick, travel...  I feel consistency is very important in all professional field. I heard that 23 days can help to build a good habit. Hopefully, I can have.

   Actually, I feel very embarrassed to admit that even though I tried to listen to the tutorial and read some post about how to use the "feed" icon, I still do not get it. It will be this week's goal for me to add other classmates'. I was thinking about the reason. Maybe too much information in the first week excited me and overwhelmed me too. I hope I can find my niches and master the comfortable pace.

   When I realized this is the 2nd week. And this course only has 6 weeks. I feel a little bit upset. I just feel I have too many things I want to learn in depth, but I am sure 6 weeks are certainly not enough. I appreciate that the professor tried all her best to give us as much information as she can. I deeply feel I am so lucky to have this course.

   I went back to the Doctor. In three weeks, it will be my due day. I feel very nervous because of some "not big deal problems of the baby according to the Doctor". However, as a mom, I cannot stop worrying. I know it is not good during the pregnancy. Thanks to this intensive course distracting most of my attention.
 
   I am starting the reading and trying out of the social media provided on Bb course site now, right after the course material had been posted. I feel better....