Social Networks

In class this week we had to create maps of our social networks called PLN (personal learning networks).  Until this assignment, I'd never really given deep thought to who I learned from or how I learned. That is to say, I knew I was learning, but I'd never seen all the information together in one space. 

The main surprise for me was how many people formed this community.  I had old (and new) professors, other teachers, friends, relatives and students.  In retrospect, I should have added my own experiences as a student which have often taught me more than any theory class ever could.

The last question we were asked was how we expected our network to change with time.  As I was dwelling on this thought, one of the other students in the class started following me on Twitter.  I started to realized that this class outside of teaching me a lot about teaching would also help me connect to other teachers who I would (hopefully) remain in touch with long after the class ended.  I really look forward to learning as much as I can from the other teachers, who seem to have a lot to offer. 

In addition,joining LinkedIn put me back in touch with a lot of people I'd fallen out of touch with.  Old professors emailed asking how I'd been.  Friends from high school sent wedding photos and baby stories.  Aside from being professionally valuable, I can see these networks helping me to keep in touch with friends old and new, something which can be difficult when you live overseas.  

I'm not sure yet how my students will benefit.  They've already all joined Facebook and (constantly) send us messages.  My favorites still send me messages from abroad about their adventures and studies.  After talking with my professor this weekend I've been mulling over how to get my students in touch with other college age students in America.  They have so many questions, and it seems the world is waiting to answer.