EDCI 338 Module 5 – Personal Learning Networks A quick thank you to Dr. Nicholas Zaparyniuk for the content of this course. ”Dr. Zap” is the creator of this version of this course. FIND YOUR FOCUS (NICHE) Examples: Teachers: Elementary Outdoor Education Maker Ed STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Fine Arts Other Niches: Photography Car restoration Well-being Nutrition Football Whatever you want to focus on can be your niche! HOW DO YOU FIND THE INFORMATION YOU WANT? HOW DO YOU FIND LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE? FORMAL LEARNING Formal learning is normally delivered by trained teachers in a systematic and intentional way within a school structure, academy/college/university, is one of three forms of learning as defined by the OECD, the others being informal learning, which typically takes place as part of another activity. INFORMAL LEARNING Informal learning is a pervasive ongoing phenomenon of learning via participation or learning via knowledge creation, in contrast with the traditional view of teacher-centered learning via knowledge acquisition. The term is often conflated though with non-formal learning and self directed learning. FORMAL VS. INFORMAL LEARNING Formal Learning: Courses/MOOCs There is a set structure, content, assignments, communication is focused (forum posts, discussions etc) Informal Learning: PLNs There is no set structure other than the connections that you choose to make. The content and connections are fluid and so is the material. Both forms have value! Graphic: Alex Couros of Open Thinking Blog. Graphic: Alex Couros of Open Thinking Blog. Graphic: Alex Couros of Open Thinking Blog. PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORK A personal learning network is an informal learning network that consists of the people a learner interacts with and derives knowledge from in a personal learning environment. You want to be as close as You can to the centre of this! Be an influencer! THEORY OF CROWD CAPITAL (Prpic & Shykla, 2012) Knowledge generated through the use of social networks The structure, content and process through which knowledge is acquired through the interactions in the network are FAR GREATER than in any one individual. Dispersion of expertise and experience enriches both the BREADTH and DEPTH of learning!! CONNECTIVISM (Siemens & Downes, 2008) Is a form of EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING which is based on the learner’s actions and experiences. Learning rests in diverse experiences and knowledge Learning is the process of connecting nodes of information from people and things Learning is perceiving connections between ideas, concepts and core skills Decision-making and discovery are core learning processes CONNECTIONS = LEARNING! PROCESS IS EVERYTHING Due diligence is an investigation of a person or a business prior to signing a contract or an act with a certain standard of care. It can be a legal obligation, but the term will more commo.

1. EDCI 338
Module 5 – Personal Learning Networks
A quick thank you to Dr. Nicholas Zaparyniuk for the content of
this course. ”Dr. Zap” is the creator of this version of this
course.
FIND YOUR FOCUS (NICHE)
Examples:
Teachers: Elementary Outdoor Education
Maker Ed
STEM (science, technology, engineering, math)
Fine Arts
Other Niches: Photography
Car restoration
Well-being
Nutrition
Football
Whatever you want to focus on can be your niche!
HOW DO YOU FIND THE INFORMATION YOU WANT?
HOW DO YOU FIND LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE?

2. FORMAL LEARNING
Formal learning is normally delivered by trained teachers in a
systematic and intentional way within a school structure,
academy/college/university, is one of three forms of learning as
defined by the OECD, the others being informal learning,
which typically takes place as part of another activity.
INFORMAL LEARNING
Informal learning is a pervasive ongoing phenomenon of
learning via participation or learning via knowledge creation, in
contrast with the traditional view of teacher-centered learning
via knowledge acquisition. The term is often conflated though
with non-formal learning and self directed learning.
FORMAL VS. INFORMAL LEARNING
Formal Learning: Courses/MOOCs
There is a set structure, content, assignments, communication is
focused (forum posts, discussions etc)
Informal Learning: PLNs
There is no set structure other than the connections that you
choose to make. The content and connections are fluid and so is

3. the material.
Both forms have value!
Graphic: Alex Couros of Open Thinking Blog.
Graphic: Alex Couros of Open Thinking Blog.
Graphic: Alex Couros of Open Thinking Blog.
PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORK
A personal learning network is an informal learning network
that consists of the people a learner interacts with and derives
knowledge from in a personal learning environment.
You want to be as close as
You can to the centre of this!
Be an influencer!
THEORY OF CROWD CAPITAL (Prpic & Shykla, 2012)

4. Knowledge generated through the use of social networks
The structure, content and process through which knowledge is
acquired through the interactions in the network are FAR
GREATER than in any one individual.
Dispersion of expertise and experience enriches both the
BREADTH and DEPTH of learning!!
CONNECTIVISM (Siemens & Downes, 2008)
Is a form of EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING which is based on the
learner’s actions and experiences.
Learning rests in diverse experiences and knowledge
Learning is the process of connecting nodes of information from
people and things
Learning is perceiving connections between ideas, concepts and
core skills
Decision-making and discovery are core learning processes
CONNECTIONS = LEARNING!
PROCESS IS EVERYTHING
Due diligence is an investigation of a person or a business prior
to signing a contract or an act with a certain standard of care. It
can be a legal obligation, but the term will more commonly

5. apply to voluntary investigations.
EDCI 338
Module 4 – Professional Presence and Branding
A quick thank you to Dr. Nicholas Zaparyniuk for the content of
this course. ”Dr. Zap” is the creator of this version of this
course.
Source https://pastprof.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/allow-
yourself-to-be-a-beginner/
PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE – AM I OUT THERE?
How can people find me? Connect with me?
How can I project my image/skills/product?
What am I about?
How can I define my “niche”, narrow my focus?
How can I create credibilty?

6. NO CREDIBILITY=NO INFLUENCE=NO CONNECTIONS
Experience improves your credibility
WHAT IS YOUR BRAND?
How do I want to be perceived?
What do I want people to think about me?
What are my competencies?
Am I an influencer?
Am I a leader?
Am I a promoter?
Am I a connector?
Do I create subject matter?
Am I providing a service?
Am I offering a product?
FIND AND FOLLOW YOUR NICHE
What are your everyday interests? What gets you excited or
motivates you?
Avoid choosing your niche based on what you think might make
you money, famous, popular etc.
If you are developing a web presence for professional reasons
what are your strengths?
Is there a “niche” within your “niche”? A speciality?
Eg. If you are a teacher, maybe your niche is physical education

7. or early childhood learning or fine arts!
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses will help you
excel in social media.
What are you good at? Speaking? Graphics? Video? Acting?
Writing?
What social media channels can help you showcase these
strengths.
BE SPECIFIC!!
Don’t be afraid to define your niche!
A lack of focus can negatively affect your credibilty
It takes a lot of time and work to “own” your niche and
influence your audience
Find the right fit
Be original. Be you.
Image source www.vervesearch.com
Both the QUALITY and QUANTITY of your content counts!

8. Social media is an equal opportunity for people to be seen and
heard – but not everyone will be able to gain attention or even
fame.
Aim to add VALUE through how you use social media.
BUILDING PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
You can reach out to people in your PLN and contribute
content, interview people, or have someone write about you
blog, video etc.
Collaborate! Find someone with the same ideas and work
together.
Are you being strategic with your content? Keep the end goal in
mind.
Leverage other people’s content, repost, retweet, comment,
review…social media is about sharing content.
Curate content…show you care by how you share!
Leverage your free content into consulting or writing
opportunities or other business ventures
GETTING STARTED
Work with other people’s content
Review something – a book, a blog, a restaurant, a band and get
it out there… Tweet, Instagram, post images, link it to your
blog.
Find out what platform your niche audience is using and start
posting
It takes time, effort, willingness to communicate, strategy and
some skill to be successful on social media - but it is there for
the taking.

9. WAYS TO GET STARTED
With social media, more is more… the more exposure the better.
Be a guest blogger.
Participate in the offline events like meet ups, cons etc. and
then post about them.
Collaborate on content
Don’t pass up opportunities, no matter how small.
Never undervalue a connection
Make your decisions with both your long term and short term
goals in mind
WHERE CAN THIS LEAD?
Job prospects
Community and friendships
Collaboration opportunities
Speaking opportunities
Unexpected outcomes!
You are a hard worker
You know how to hustle
You know how to use the tools of our society for your benefit
You understand career management

10. Etc.
Image source http://marianacoetzee.blogspot.com/2016/06/facts-
of-hidden-curriculum-at-schools.html
PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE
LinkdIn
PERSONAL BRADING STEP BY STEP
Define who you are – your niche (who you are and who you are
not)
Tag line – one sentence that says what you are all about
30 second pitch – also known as the elevator speech, one
paragraph that describes you
Professional picture
About.me OR Campus.about.me profile OR LinkedIn Profile
Personal/professional blog
Share and connect
Get feedback from people you trust to be honest with you
Iterate
About Me