Jo Hart gave a presentation on personal learning networks (PLNs), personal learning environments (PLEs), and communities of practice (CoPs). She discussed the definitions and differences between these concepts. PLNs refer to broad informal networks for social and professional learning, PLEs describe the tools and services used within a PLN, and CoPs involve facilitated interaction around a specific professional practice. Hart shared examples of how her own PLN/PLE has evolved over time and provided tips for starting, expanding, and revitalizing a PLN by initiating conversations, following other educators, and connecting on social media.

1. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
“PLN, PLE or CoP what’s in a name?”
Jo Hart
CY O’Connor Institute, WA
Email: jo.hart@cyoc.wa.edu.au

2. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
“PLN, PLE or CoP what’s in a name?
• What are PLN, PLE and CoP – are they the same?
• Developing YOUR PLN/PLE – sharing ideas and tips
• Let’s connect!

3. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
PLN/PLE/CoP what are they?
Your thoughts?
PLN PLE CoP

4. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
CoP = Community
of Practice
http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/pln-or-cop.html
PLN = Personal/Professional
Learning Network
PLE = Personal Learning
Environment
• narrow professional
• semi-formal/formal
• facilitated interaction
• professional practice
• broad professional
• informal
• serendipitous interaction
• social/personal /professional
CoP may be a
subset of PLN

5. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
Do you think you have a PLN and/or a PLE
and do you think you belong to a CoP?
http://www.polleverywhere.com/survey/Cq6rsYLgE
http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/HeE4LBpda81tQMP/web
http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/opGPELMc3XX85i0/web
http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/9KlyHRJUCFu6EKg/web

6. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
CoP = Community of Practice
PLN = Personal/Professional Learning Network
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Google+
Others
#tags
Lists
Groups
Communities
What do you use/belong to/follow? Where does it “sit”?

7. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
PLNs/PLEs are NOT static
They continually evolve and change!

8. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
This is what my PLN “looked” like in 2009
Twitter
iGoogle
edupln
LearnCentral
RSS (Google
Reader)
Flickr
Delicious
Gmail
Elluminate
Skype
Edublogs
Posts
(Tweetdeck)

9. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
This is what my PLN/PLE “looked” like in
2011

10. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
This is what my PLN/PLE “looks” like now
Twitter
Google
Groups
Flickr
Diigo &
Symbaloo
Gmail
Blackboard
Collaborate
Skype
My blog (Edublogs)
(Tweetdeck)
Google+
Facebook
LinkedIn
Google
Drive
Dropbox
Evernote
ALaN
network
CoP

11. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
The most important aspect of a
PLN/PLE/CoP for YOU?
A Links
B Help and support
C Prof discussion
D Social interaction
E Other
Other?

12. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
Some tips for starting your PLN
from “scratch”
• Start with one social media platform
• Sign up to the platform
• Find an experienced mentor
• Don’t rush it
• Give as well as taking
• Be social, be human

13. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
Share your tips for starting a PLN

14. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
Some tips for expanding &/or
re-vitalising your PLN
• Initiate or join conversations
• Use Tweetdeck, Hootsuite or similar
• Join in discussions (#tags, groups)
• See who other educators follow
• See who follows those you follow

15. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
Share your tips for expanding &/or
re-vitalising a PLN

16. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
Let’s connect! Share your PLN names.

17. Jo Hart – Feb 2014 #OZeLive Conf “PLN, PLE or CoP – what’s in a name?”
What tool/idea for your PLN/PLE will you take away
from today?
Feedback about the session (likes/dislikes/improvements)