What is a PLN? PLN means “Personal Learning Network” which was used to describe a network of people and resources that support ongoing learning. Before the reading of this week, I actually did not realize teaching can be diverse. I was born and educated in China. I still remember the time around 66 students sit in a crowded classroom writing test over and over again. All students in the Country study the same content and there is nothing important than study. Just like Moore said, “lingering evidence of the factory model of education where we needed to produce and replicate people to meet the demand of the workforce during the industrial revolution.”[1] The teacher’s key task is to cultivate the labour force of social needs. Students have diverse talents before they go to school, however, they were forced to accept only study math, Chemistry, grammar, etc, is the only way out to be a good worker and pay for their rents. There is no diversity to studies and all students graduate with the same shape, a large number of children’s talents have been wiped out in fundamental education. As Moore says, now is the 21st century, the education process must progress with the times.

In my PLN, Most of the time I learned from a variety of voices, I don’t have much idea about learning diversity. After studying at UVic, I start to realize I should have my own way of learning. I start learning content outside the classroom and it actually goes pretty well. Also, I received some suggestions from friends and learning partners.

I participate in a silo of information sharing. Sharing personal opinions is another way of learning. Comparing with a simple idea, more information can be shared by more people. Since we are all independent individuals, we might be inspired by others’ points of view, cooperation is an essential strategy in learning.

The learning outcome of my PLN is about having confidence in my thought and express them to more people. Each one has a different perspective, they can provide various suggestions and help from a brand new angle. The learner should accept diversities, take its essence and drop its dross. This is how we full fill our PLN and learning diversity.

After all the reading and videos, I start to realize PLN isn’t simply talking about how to learning and master one knowledge, it’s a way to progress and sharing. Every one of us has different talents in various areas, education should not bury these talents and transform them to what society needs. Personalize each student’s way of learning is the key to achieve individual success. Sharing with peer and respect their comment could make us progress.

 

Reference:

Moore, Shelley. One Without the Other : Stories of Unity Through Diversity and Inclusion, Portage & Main Press, 2017. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uvic/detail.action?docID=4832579.