Powerful Strategies for Building Your Personal Learning Network

1 Power of Connection: Building a Personal Learning Network Tiffany Rudolph Doctor of Business Administration, Walden University DDBA 8006: Contemporary Challenges in Business Dr. Carol-Anne Faint November 26, 2023

2 Power of Connection: Building a Personal Learning Network There are multiple social media platforms that allow for people to not only keep in contact with their peers, family members, or colleagues, but also used to gain and share knowledge. A personal learning network (PLN) is part of a personal learning environment (PLE) (Marín et al., 2014). A PLE is what a person uses for continuous education including tools, resources, and people (Marín et al., 2014). A PLN are all the interpersonal connections students and professionals make, that support the growth and expansion of a more widespread PLE (Marín et al., 2014). Networks and Tools Social media is more than just being able to connect with friends and keep in touch with family members, it is use for entertainment, networking, news, and knowledge. While interpersonal connections are important for professional growth, having and utilizing social media in a more structured manner is going to be advantageous for the student and professional looking for growth and development. There are many useful social media platforms that can be incorporated into a PLN that would help facilitate my personal and professional growth. The expanding use of technology also fosters the ability for students to cultivate various skills to have a better understanding of their environment (Riel & Fulton, 2001). Facebook Facebook is probably one of the most well-known and widely used social media platforms and is primarily the only social media platform that I actively use. Although, I mostly use it for staying in contact with friends and family, and mindlessly doom scrolling, when I should be doing other more productive things. One of the ways that I could utilize Facebook in a more functional manner is to communicate with fellow peers who are also furthering their

3 education, by sharing articles or news stories and asking for other’s insights while sharing my own. LinkedIn LinkedIn is another social media platform that can be used on a more professional level to network and build my professional brand. While I have a LinkedIn profile that was created initially for an undergraduate course, it is becoming increasingly important to have a digital footprint on that platform. LinkedIn can be helpful in recognizing industry professionals in their specific fields (Brown, 2015). There you can connect with people in similar or different industries, build relationships that could help foster growth and help obtain job opportunities that may not have otherwise been available. X X formerly known as Twitter is a social media platform that I do not use at all, I tried to get into it, but never fully figured out or understood its premise, and continued using the platform that I was most comfortable with. After doing a bit of research, this maybe another platform that will be helpful in building my PLN. There are several things that I can do to not only become more familiar with X, but also utilize it in a way that will be advantageous for my growth. When creating my X profile, making sure that my profile is appealing, by having an appropriate profile picture, my name, a personal description going deeper than my profession, and a link to a personal relevant site (Grantham, 2012). Since I will be creating a new profile, it will be important that I am strategic with who I follow, starting out with people I know personally and eventually expanding my network in a methodical process, not just haphazardly (Grantham, 2012). In building my network, it will be important that I research the people I am adding ensuring their values align with mine, while also ensuring that they are reliable (Grantham,

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4 2012). It will also be important that I follow the three C’s; consume, contribute, and collaborate (Grantham, 2012). Consume is reading the information presented on X, contribute by sharing my own unique thoughts and perspectives, and collaborate by engaging in conversations around the material I have been consuming and contributing (Grantham, 2012). To further help the growth of my X account, making sure that my profile is linked on other social media platforms such as LinkedIn (Grantham, 2012). People/Groups to Add to PLN Having a PLN is more than just utilizing social media networks to have an online presence, it is also about building and maintaining connections, and making sure that you have the right people or groups included so that the PLN serves in the capacity you need it to serve in. It is also important that the individuals included in the PLN are not only aware of their roles but also are actively participating to enhance their skills and support others in the PLN reach their goals (Thompson, 2012). Community leaders, current and former instructors, industry professionals, colleagues in current and past roles, and the Walden Alumni Forum are all groups that I am including in my PLN for various reasons. Community Leaders Community leaders are important to include in my PLN as they have connections to a wide array of networks and helpful resources. They can provide useful insight into strategies that are advantageous to developing the community. Since their focus is on the community, it may prove difficult for them to connect with individuals even though their goal is bettering the community they live and/or work in. Utilizing my existing Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, I was able to find several community leaders to include in my PLN. Utilizing some of the techniques mentioned in the

5 Grantham (2012) blog, I made sure that I introduced myself, included a little background, and a goal of mine to show interest and authenticity. This should help ensure that those I added will be beneficial, and not just “space fillers” on my social media sites. Instructors Former and current instructors are also beneficial to include in my PLN. They can provide insight into how to improve certain skills, such as studying, research, and even resume writing. Because of the nature of teaching, they may offer a bevy of knowledge and other resources and are generally altruistic. I am already connected with several instructors from high school and a few from my undergraduate studies on Facebook and LinkedIn. However, the further I go in pursuing my Doctoral degree it will be important for me to expand that network to include current instructors at Walden University. Introducing myself to them, may help build a stronger relationship with them beyond what we have developed in the classroom setting and they can provide guidance on both professional topics as well as educational topics and assistance with my dissertation when I get to that point. Colleagues Colleagues will add to my PLN as they can provide help insight into the professional community and possibly help or be participants when I begin my dissertation research or studies. They may also be able to help connect with other industry professionals that I may not have otherwise been able to connect with based on their PLNs. Connecting with current and former colleagues may prove easier than people with whom I do not already have a personal connection with. I may not have to go through the formal extent of introducing myself, however it is important to maintain a connection with them by asking

6 questions about their current career path, any accomplishments, or any other relevant professional conversations. LinkedIn will be the ideal method for these connections. Industry Professionals Industry professionals can help provide insight into the industry from their perspective. They can share their experiences and offer advice and guidance on things to do or steps to avoid. Their insight could prove invaluable as firsthand resources to topics that may prove of interest when I begin researching or writing my dissertation. Introducing myself to these industry professionals, I will want to make sure that I catch their eye with something appealing yet true. They are often busy, and while they may be willing to help if time permits, they may also do it from a stance of how it could potentially benefit them. LinkedIn, X, and even TikTok may be useful tools in building connections with these busy professionals. Walden Alumni Using the Walden Alumni Forum as part of my PLN will prove invaluable. What better way to learn, than from people who have been in my exact shoes. They can provide insight as to how they managed their time between working, school, family, and fun. They can also provide guidance as to best strategies for approaching the dissertation, and anything else they may have learned along the way. Conclusion Creating an effective PLN is not something to take lightly, as if used correctly, it can be a proven resource for my development as a doctoral student. There are so many resources at our fingertips, it is important to take the time and learn how to use them most effectively. It is also

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7 going to be important for me to recognize the challenges and opportunites having a PLN can provide.

8 References Brown, J. (Producer). (2015). Walden University DBA residency 2 group E- Atlanta - May 2015 [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80uOaIw1e4U Grantham, N. (2012, April 17). 5 tips to building a healthy PLN with X (formerly Twitter) [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.fractuslearning.com/2012/04/17/pln-twitter/ Marín, V., Negre, F., & Pérez, A. (2014). Construction of the Foundations of the PLE and PLN for Collaborative Learning. Comunicar , 21 (42), 35–43. https://doi.org/10.3916/C42- 2014-03 Riel, M. M., & Fulton, K. (2001). The role of technology in supporting learning communities. Phi Delta Kappan , 82 (7), 518–523. Thompson, S. (2012, May 20). Personal learning networks (PLN) 101: X (formerly Twitter) [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://technologyembedded.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/twitter-101/

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