What if I like it better? Of course I won't like it better! I don't want to change my hot sauce flavor. We had a good thing going. But out of mere desperation, I tried the new flavor, and it was not bad. In fact, I enjoyed it.
So how does this relate to PLNs? Sometimes we are comfortable with our social media use (like the original hot sauce) and become resistant to try a new website or way of managing our social media sites. Out of desperation (or for a school assignment or job requirement), we are nudged to evolve and try something new. PLNs can seem daunting and outside our comfort zones, but we just need to get started. Some may prefer to start slowly, and others may prefer the head first approach. Either way, below are a few questions to ask yourself when looking for people and resources for your Personal Learning Network:
- What organizations do I work with on a regular basis?
- How do they disseminate information?
- What organizations would I like to work with in the future?
- What projects or tasks am I working on?
- Are there others who may be working on something similar?
- What do I have a lot of experience with?
- What lessons have I learned that I can share with personal or professional partners?
Once you determine the answers to some of these questions, you have identified some areas for potential connections and relationships. Your next step is to build these relationships. Try following organizations or interest areas on Twitter or Facebook, use a Google search to find modes of information dissemination, or even consider sending an email indicating that you would like to learn more. You may want to start your own blog and follow those who comment on your posts. There are many ways to begin a PLN, but the key is to start somewhere and act.
Oh, and try the Chipotle hot sauce. You just might like it.
Great thoughts, maybe some suggestions for where to find modes of information dissemination. You asked, "what do I have a lot of experience with?" I might suggest that we also ask ourselves, "what experience don't I have that I need?" Overall I really liked your comments and really liked the anaology of the hot sauce. Too often we stay stuck with our old favorites and what we are comfortable with and miss out on so much in the world. Like you, if we just take a chance, we might like what we find.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback, Kathy. I think it's important to make our strengths stronger and not always focus on our weaknesses. For that reason, I think it's appropriate to ask what we have a lot of experience with. That would allow us to hone in on our interests and further develop a unique skill set with our PLN.
DeleteGood point, Wendy! And thank you for the bullet list. This is easy to read and very useful suggestions. Kathy, great point, to ask "what experience do I need".
ReplyDeleteI love your analogy with hot sauce! It's a great way to show how we get comfortable with what we have and really don't want to get out of our comfort zones, even when we may like what we fine. This is definitely something I can do better at! Your suggestions for developing a PLN are practical and will help me extend my comfort zone a little bit. Thanks for the suggestions!
ReplyDeleteChange is not always easy and trying new things can be just as difficult. Your list is a very good start to creating a useful PLN. Building relationships can take time and effort so it is important not to get discouraged and to have patience. I think you are exactly right in that whatever avenue we decide to create our PLN’s we must start somewhere. If we just sit and do nothing then nothing is what we will get from our PLN.
ReplyDeleteHello Wendy,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your blog. I love how you made this a fun thing to read. Sometimes I get in a strict "school-mode" and forget that it is okay to add some personality to posts! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Aby
Hello Wendy,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to introduce the PLN subject. I like your "hot sauce" analogy very much. You make a good point about being on the look out for new types of technology and resources that may be just as good or even better than what we are used to. Becoming too comfortable with one resource may limit our ability to find new opportunities for learning.