A personal learning network (PLN) as described by
teachthought is the way you describe the group of people you’re connected with to learn their ideas, reflections, questions, and references. A personal learning environment (PLE) on the other hand is defined on
educause as tools, services, and communities that make up an individual's educational platforms that learners also use to direct their learning while pursuing educational goals. The difference between a PLN and PLE is that a PLN is derived from other individuals and a PLE is educating yourself based on other people's information that may or may not be credible.