If you haven't a built in peer group with whom to learn with, perhaps a virtual PLN is the answer. This past weekend at the annual ISLMA conference in Springfield I engaged in several conversations regarding how I use Twitter and other tools to virtually connect with other librarians and tech folks. For me, Twitter has become the core of my PLN. Those amazing individuals that I follow generate more ideas than I can ever possibly implement. I am continually inspired to investiage new tools, explore new websites, and try incorporating new ideas into my lessons. Needless to say, I love my PLN.
One consistant comment I heard from distractors of virtual PLNs is that they curtail personal contact with colleagues. Virtual PLNs keep us from seeking out local contacts that could potentially provide the same benefits. Blogger Teach42 posed the question "Is joinging a PLN bad for morale?" He suggests that reading about peers and/or schools that are using cutting edge technology could dishearten those professionals that are not able to implement desired technology due to polices or infrastructure that blocks certain uses.
Personally, I think PLNs should force us to question our practices. They should move us towards challenging the negatives so that we might flip them into positives. Could they drive us into despair? Not if we keep our perspective. We all need to understand the limitations of our positions. The joy of harvesting our new knowledge is all the greater when we understand which seeds of learning we have at our disposal and whether or not there is enough fertilizer available. Lack of growth is not the fault of our PLN, it would be the fault of our own imaginations and patience.
Thoughts?
