The document discusses using Web 2.0 environments and professional networks for competence development and professional networking. It describes how personal learning environments (PLEs) help learners manage their own learning goals and content. Some advanced students arrange content and contacts into personal and professional networks, with the transition from PLE to professional learning network (PfLN) supporting lifelong learning. Building a PLE provides a core for expanding networks and socialization processes that allow learners to share and reuse resources.

1. LUCAS NKAMBULE
University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

2. Aim
To analyze the experience gained in using of
Web 2.0 environment for competence
development and for professional network
organizing

4. Professional network generally refers to a professional
network service, a virtual community that it is focused
on professional interactions instead of social interactions.
Wikipedia
Social-oriented applications and
professional networks - new opportunities
for learners and educators
Professional
Networks

6. PLEs are systems that help learners take control of and
manage their own learning.
This includes providing support for learners to set their
own learning goals, manage their learning;
managing both content and process;
communicate with others in the process of learning and
thereby achieve learning goals.
Building PLE on start pages
Personal Learning Environment

9. SteveWheeler,UniversityofPlymouth,2011

10. “It's not what you
know that counts
anymore. It's
what you can
learn.”
– Don Tapscott
http://www.nationalpost.com
SteveWheeler,UniversityofPlymouth,2011
Connections to
your community
of practice

11. Social Media use
Source: http://econsultancy.com
2 Billion views/day
24 hours/minute
SteveWheeler,UniversityofPlymouth,2011

13. Some advanced students during the PLE building self-orient and arrange content, knowledge and contacts in
two different networks: personal and professional
The transition from PLE to PfLN passes through a middle step of PLN set up
This process is dynamic and continuously
adapted to the present students’ interests
In some cases the boarders between PLN and PfLN are blurred, because
of coincidence of personal and professional interests (Malinka Ivanova,
2011)
PLE can be presented as a core for
networks expanding
The PLE building supports students in socialization and network
processes set up
Professional Network Organizing
(Malinka Ivanova,2011)

14. Web 3.0
Semantic Web
Web 1.0
The Web
Web x.0
Meta Web
Web 2.0
Social Web
Degree of Social Connectivity
DegreeofInformationConnectivity
Connects information Connects people
Connects knowledge Connects intelligence
The eXtended Web
SteveWheeler,UniversityofPlymouth,2011

15. http://flickr.com/photos/22409393@N03/434823399
Video, audio and images ...
... all contribute to the
richness of the narrative.
SteveWheeler,UniversityofPlymouth,2011

16. Stephen Downes, 2006

17. Online, En masse
http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.com
Communication
SteveWheeler,UniversityofPlymouth,2011

18. Conclusion
• A model for PLE building is proposed
This includes providing support for learners to set their own learning goals,
manage their learning;
managing both content and process.
• Social networks contribute to the processes by which learners meet
and communicate, and pool, share, learn about and reuse their
resources, knowledge and competencies
• The transition from PLE to PfLN is an important step that supports
students to become self-organized and life-long learners

19. Attwell, G.2007. Personal Learning environments. University of
the South Denmark.
www.slideshare.net/grahamattwell/personal-learning-
envoronments-46423
www.pontydysgu.org (accessed on 19 march 2013)
Attwell, G. 2012. 21 Interesting Ways* To Use Google Search in
the classroom.
www.slideshare.net/grahamattwell/21-interesting-
waystousegooglesearchintheclassroom
www.pontydysgu.org (accessed on 19 march 2013)

20. Ivanova, M. 2009. From Personal Learning Environment
Building to Professional Learning Network Forming.
Technical University. Sofia, Bulgaria.
www.slideshare.net/malinkaiva/from-personal-learning-
environment-building-to-professional-learning-network-
forming
Wheeler, S. 2011. The future of Learning: Web 2.0 and the
Smart eXtended Web. University of Plymouth UK.
Karlsruhe, Germany
www.slideshare.net/timbuckteeth/the-future-of-learning-
6809148
www.downes.ca (accessed on 19 march 2013)