or Both??
PLN’s — (P____ Learning Networks) has become a tech buzzword which you will hear over and over again if you attend conferences, if you read blogs, twitter, journals, etc etc etc.
The importance of a PLN is to extend your options beyond your own thinking/knowledge ability and to share and gather ideas from other like minds and to be challenged by those with whom you do not think the same. It is the ability to remove yourself from the isolation of your own classroom — doors closed, blinds drawn, “no one understands me” mode — into a more “we are in this together.”
I used to have a Personal Learning Network…..made friends with everyone, looked forward to emails, twits, blog posts, the newest link to click on which would take me to the coolest new toy to try out…..a daily occurence which I found to be both a distraction and a deterent to my own life. I began to confuse “friend” with colleague…..(though sometimes they can be one and the same)….I found myself giving way too much thought to something that was supposed to be a “learning” opportunity.
This past January, I made a personal decision to keep it as a Professional Learning Network. And for me, at this time, that is working out much better for me…..and other relationships in my life that were getting tired of hearing the “woes of the network drama”.
Sure, I have my good online friends (some of which I consider very important in my life) which are part of my Professional Learning Network. I use the word online to distinguish to me where the relationship mostly takes place — but with or without the internet….these are good friends, who I trust for guidance, for prayer assistance at times, and for good conversations!
But for the most part the one thing that is working exceptionally well (for me) is to have no expectations other than colleague assistance from most of my Professional Learning Network.
On a side note, (which I find a bit interesting) is that you need to understand that I used to have arguments with a boss (who is also a friend) who I thought was too professional and she thought I was WAY too personal. We both thought the other was too “much” in how we dealt with circumstances. So, Elayne, this blog post is for you. Smiles, I do see now (after 20ish years) how being a bit more professional might just work…..for now.
Just where my thoughts are today.
Jen
Jen,
I’m really glad we could remain friends all these years inspite of (or because of) our differences.
Love you,
I will always consider you a friend no matter what you say. I trust your judgment.
Your post left me with a sense of sadness. I still feel as if I need more of the personal and less of the professional still. I always hope for your happiness as you search for a place that you can connect and grow with as well as the health of your cat. I need to engage on the personal level first than thinking of someone as a professional colleague. This keeps me from analyzing the why or usefulness of my relationships and just enjoying these amazing personal relationships.
@Elayne Was thinking last night, I believe I met you in 81 or 82?? Going on 25+ years. Long friendship — good friendship. Thank you!!!
@Lisa — smiles
@Derrall Please don’t be saddened. Just a continual journey I am on. Trusted some people WAY too much before I truly got to know them….need to regroup a bit and be a bit wiser.
Smiles, you have a sense of me from the internet, you know I will always err on sentimentality and kindness…but the pendulum needs to swing a bit back the other way.
Good friendships — good relationships will continue always.
Thanks all of you for posting.
Jen