computer science

Personal learning network

Personal learning network is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Personal learning network rather than just read about it. In short: A Personal Learning Network (PLN) is an informal learning network that consists of the people a learner interacts with and derives knowledge from in a personal learning environment. In a PLN, a person makes a connection with another person with the specific intent that some type of learning will occur because of that connection.

Key takeaways

Personal learning network belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Personal learning network to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Personal learning network from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

A Personal Learning Network (PLN) is an informal learning network that consists of the people a learner interacts with and derives knowledge from in a personal learning environment. In a PLN, a person makes a connection with another person with the specific intent that some type of learning will occur because of that connection. Personal learning networks share a close association with the concept of personal learning environments. Martindale & Dowdy describe a PLE as a "manifestation of a learner’s informal learning processes via the Web".

Aspects According to the theory of connectivism developed by George Siemens (as well as Stephen Downes), the "epitome of connectivism" is that learners create connections and develop a personal network that contributes to their personal and professional development and knowledge. The following is an excerpt from Dryden's and Vos' book on learning networks:

"For the first time in history, we know now how to store virtually all humanity's most important information and make it available, almost instantly, in almost any form, to almost anyone on earth. We also know how to do that in great new ways so that people can interact with it, and learn from it."

Specifically, the learner chooses whom to interact with in these media and how much to participate. Learners have certain goals, needs, interests, motivations and problems that are often presented to the people they include in their PLN. Moreover, the learner will collaborate and connect differently with various members. The learner will establish stronger relationships with some members and have a low level of connection with others. Not all nodes will be equal. Some of the member roles include searcher, assemblator, designer of data, innovator of subject matter, and researcher.

Recognition of PLNs The European Union Lifelong Learning Programme 2007–2013 has recognized the potential for PLNs by funding the aPLaNet project (Autonomous Personal Learning Networks for Language Teachers). The project explains the value of PLNs for the professional development of language educators.

See also Connectivism (learning theory) Networked learning

References

External links European Union funded education project "Autonomous Personal Learning Networks for Language Teachers" (acronym aPLaNet) Radford University Presentation on Developing Personal Learning Networks

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Personal learning network

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Personal learning network claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Personal learning network before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Personal learning network ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Personal learning network

In research: Personal learning network appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Personal learning network in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Personal learning network is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Learning, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Personal learning network outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Personal learning network in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Personal learning network means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Personal learning network out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Personal learning network in simple terms?

Why does Personal learning network matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Personal learning network?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Personal learning network.