Is it time to tidy up? A reflection on learning networks.
As we all assess our ongoing social media usages and time limits, I’m finding it’s helpful to think about our assessment through the lens of who we are choosing to learn from year in and year out. Rather than simply thinking about the platform choices you are making such as learning or being influenced via Twitter, Discord, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or the multitude of other options, try thinking about how you might curate your tools based on the concepts or skills you are looking to gather for yourself.
Depending on the season you are in, you might choose difference focus areas. Enter learning networks!
Learning networks, or LNs as I’ll call them, or sometimes called personal learning networks or PLNs, are important to learning in the digital age because they represent composites of so much rich information by subject matter experts that would be nearly impossible to reassemble in a vacuum. LNs include learning resources, learning tools, learning content, and learning activities. They can keep learners engaged by offering multimedia and multichannel opportunities to learn, they can keep a group of people accountable to one another to continue to be inspired to push forward in their learning together, and they offer a system of learning that can build knowledge for people in the comfort of their own homes without having to travel (or move across the country or globe) in order to learn something new from experts in their field or industry. Learning networks promote professional (and personal) learning that is active, interest-driven, and autonomous, meeting learning needs while being socially connected.
I see current LNs changing quite a lot over time. With the integration of AI technologies, I am curious to see if some of LN knowledge can be coming more automated and less centered in human-to-human relationships. I’m also curious to see if LNs continue to put us in a less geographically-based mindset, allowing us to continue to get better and better at connecting across timezones and cultures. It’s also interesting to think about the question of LNs for unique interest groups merging or morphing to overlay on top of each other in order to create more customization in LNs. For example, through technology, how might we overlap a LN of piano players with mechanical engineers? I’m curious and wildly excited about all of the possibilities.
I recently decided to assess my professional and personal LNs and think about what I might leave behind in order to make space for another new professional LN (or three!) For my professional LNs, I’ve been learning from the Association for Talent Development, SXSW EDU, and the Association for Continuing Higher Education for the last few years. With this audit of LNs, I’ve decided I’d like to get more involved with The Learning Guild, the Council for Adult Experiential Learning (I had been a bit ago and haven’t been as engaged lately), and I’d like to do a lot more with the 7Taps Microlearning community.
It was also fun to think through where I LOVE to learn in the more personal LNs I’ve either started or chosen. For now, I wouldn’t change a thing for these and I’m challenged to think about how I might make these personal LNs even stronger and better in the years ahead.
What might it be for you? Are you happy with your learning networks or might you change something up?
I hope this is a helpful write-up for you. It’s been helpful to me to think less about the quantity of social engagement or the tools I’m using to engage but to think more about what I’m looking to learn and why and how I’m finding myself curious.
