PLN Project #2 Final Report

Developing a Personal Learning Network is something every professional must do. Whether you're a Musician, Teacher, or Business person, everyone has a network of the their peers and colleagues that they work with and learn from. In developing my own Personal Learning Network I have found that I have grown personally, as well as intellectually. Scholars have always had a Personal Learning Network. The Personal Learning Network may sound official, but that doesn't mean it has to be, or should be, boring. Take the Lost Generation for example. The Lost Generation was a group of writers in the 1920's who all shared a common mentor and learned and critiqued each other. The result was some of the best writing in history. The same attitude and vivacity should be expressed in groups of scholars, artists, and business people of today.

As a future History teacher, I have tried to develop my Personal Learning Network with teachers who now work in the field, or particular professors at South that have had an influence on me. In addition, one's peers should also make up one's PLN. Often, my group of friends and I critique each others' writing. The PLN should be something you carry with you, not turn on and off.

Social media has provided a new way for intellectuals and professionals to network with each other. Most people don't use Facebook or Twitter for intellectual reasons, but if used in such a way they can be an amazing resource. If connected with one's PLN over social networking sites, one can constantly have access to shared sources, links, and academic discussions. Many of the people in my PLN don't use social media, however, with Twitter I can follow Politicians, Teachers, and Academic Magazines and Journals. This provides me with a great resource that I can access any time on my phone.

Overall, developing my Personal Learning Network has allowed me to grow as a professional and intellectual. One of the greatest things about technology is the ability to share. Now, professionals can share ideas more effectively and creatively than ever before.