PLNs

A Personal Learning Network (PLN) is a system of individuals, resources, and communities that a person uses to pursue ongoing learning and professional development. PLNs are informal and individualized, built to fit the learner’s goals, context, and schedule. They typically extend beyond formal coursework and can evolve as interests and needs change.

A PLN combines people with digital and sometimes offline resources. Components commonly include colleagues, mentors, and experts; social media, blogs, podcasts, newsletters; professional associations, webinars, conferences, and learning platforms; and the learner’s own notes, bookmarks, and reflections. Participation is reciprocal, with both consuming information and contributing insights, questions, and descriptions of practice.

Building and maintaining a PLN involves several practices. Learners set clear learning goals, identify credible sources, and seek diverse perspectives. They connect with relevant communities, curate content to fit their interests, and engage through discussion, collaboration, and sharing outcomes. Regular reflection helps align new information with practice, while bookmarking, note-taking, and summarizing support ongoing access and reuse of resources.

In education and professional contexts, PLNs complement formal learning by providing timely access to ideas, tools, and peer support. Teachers, for example, may exchange lesson ideas and assessment strategies, while students can collect resources and feedback beyond the classroom. PLNs can enhance motivation and adaptability but may require time management and critical evaluation to manage information overload and varying quality of sources.