PLN Definition

A PLN will be defined as “a relationship through electronic means to further learning”.

I’ve struggled with this for a while now. What does a PLN really mean? In application, it can become so broad so as to become meaningless. By some definitions, everyone you’ve ever come into contact with is part of your PLN. Certainly we are always learning. Informal learning is a crucial part of our existence.

Yet, a PLN is and should be something different. In order to understand something, it is necessary that we define it. A definition that is too broad does us very little good. Thus, I’m working on the definition that is above. My intent is to reflect that we make connections on-line. These connections are different than what was possible before. Certainly we still have connections with others that we meet in “real” life. We still have those connections. We’ve always had those connections. The issue, for me, is how has the ability to connect electronically changed our relationships? That is where the electronic part comes in.

The electronic connection is the pivotal issue for creating PLN’s for me. This is what has changed.