Activity 1: Creating a Personal Learning Environment
Personal Learning Environments (PLE) allow users to manage the massive amount of information, tools, resources, and media sources on the internet. Through creating a PLE, users can begin to organize their digital world and use different types of linkage to create a structured hub from which to access tools, resources, and content materials, all in one place. In this activity, you will be asked to set up your own PLE which will help you effectively manage and structure your digital resources to enhance your overall understanding and facilitate lifelong learning.
Step 1: Explore several tools designed to help you create a PLE, such as Symbaloo, Netvibes, Chrome, or another tool of your choice. For all of these tools, you will need to create an account to fully explore the application.
Step 2: Once you have decided on a tool to use to create your PLE, add tiles/widgets/apps to your PLE that link you to resources or tools you frequently use. After you have added at least 5 tiles/widgets/apps, organize your apps in a structure that is relevant and logical for your personal usage.
Step 3: Take a screenshot of you PLE to share with the group. Once you have taken your screenshot, create a Google Doc with the screenshot and an explanation to the following questions:
Step 4: Get a shareable link for your Google Doc and share it with the Group Padlet. Be sure to view and respond/comment on at least two other member’s posting.
Step 5: Activity Rubric/Checklist
Activity 2: Diagramming PLE
Creating an initial PLE can be a daunting task that can leave learners feeling as though PLEs are more work and effort than they are worth. In fact, for some learners, full understanding of the PLE concept doesn’t come until they have had experience using their own. By diagramming their PLE, learners are able to better understand the PLE concept and the connections that exist within their own PLE.
Step 1: Explore diagrams of other people’s PLEs by visiting the site below. Be sure to examine several diagrams before proceeding to Step 2.
Step 2: Using Web 2.0 Concept Mapping Applications (or any other mapping/diagramming tool of your choice) map your PLE. When mapping, be sure to include not only the tools, people, and sources that are part of your PLE but also how they are connected and accessed..
Step 3: Upload your PLE diagram to VoiceThread (click here to create a VoiceThread account). Once uploaded, create a voice comment (max of 5 minutes) in which you discuss the following:
Step 4: Tweet your PLE VoiceThread link to @titleofhtebook with the following tag #PLEdiagram
Step 5: View/like/retweet/respond to at least 3 fellow PLE diagram posters (search the hashtag) via Twitter.
Step 6: Activity Rubric/Checklist
Activity 3: InfoViz Compare PLE to ONLE
InfoViz can support Online Learning Environments by providing another avenue of information sharing to its learners. InfoViz makes it so we can try and understand a large amount of data with just a glance at all of the information. With time not being on our side in this day in age these Information Visualizations make it so we can quickly make connections and see if patterns exist (Gelernter, 2014). InfoViz or at least some of its essence might already be used in a mass method out on the internet but we might miss the connection as we see traditional InfoViz graphics as something specific.
Step 1: Gather the information that you have found useful in understanding PLE and ONLE.
Step 2: From the gathered information Create an InfoViz image for PLE. You can use any InfoViz Generator tool for this, wordclouds.com works well.
Step 3: From the gathered information Create an InfoViz image for OLNE. You can use any InfoViz Generator tool for this, wordclouds.com works well.
Step 4: Use the created InfoViz and place them side to side in order to compare and contrast PLE and ONLE from a single location.
Step 5: Share the side-by-side InfoViz diagrams on the following Padlet and comment on others’ InfoViz diagrams.
Step 6: Use Activity Rubric to evaluate InfoViz and discussion.
EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative, (2009). 7 things you should know about personal learning environments. Retrieved from https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eli7049.pdf
Tu, C. H. (2014). Concepts of PLE & ONLE. In C. H. Tu, Strategies for building a Web 2.0 learning environment. ABC-CLIO. Santa Barbara, CA.
Connectivism. (n.d.). Retrieved May 06, 2017, from http://education-2020.wikispaces.com/Connectivism
Suggested Readings
Ash, K. (2013). Personal learning environments focus on the individual. Education Week, Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/05/22/32el-personallearning.h32.html
Capozzoli, C. (2013). Web 2.0 resources for 21st century instruction. Retrieved from http://web20guru.com/resources
Malamed, C. (n.d.) Models for designing your personal learning environment. [Web lod post]. Retrieved from http://theelearningcoach.com/elearning2-0/designing-personal-learning-environment/
Teaching Resources
Prezi presentation of the chapter
Discussion Questions
1. What is PLE and how can you use it to help pursue your learning goals?
2. What is ONLE?
3. How does ONLE relate PLE?
4. How does Connectivism differ from other more traditional learning theories?
5. How can you see PLE and ONLE affecting your personal/professional learning?