This weeks module has me thinking more intentionally about Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) and where my learning actually comes from.
As someone interested in ISLT in public health, I’ve been trying to identify who & what makes up my PLN. I began by thinking about classmates, instructors, coworkers, and professionals in the field, but then started considering other options beyond my direct connections.
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A lot of the information I come across comes from podcasts, social media accounts, and the people I follow on platforms like Twitter & TikTok. These connections all influence what I learn and how I think about different topics.
I haven’t set out to build a PLN… it has mostly developed through my interests, work experiences, & online interactions, but moving forward, I want/need to be more intentional about it.
I’m curious what everyone else’s learning ecosystem looks like. What keeps your attention, shapes how you think, or naturally teaches you things.
I'd love to hear what's in your network!
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Your point about intentionality is such a good one — and I think there's something worth sitting with before you overhaul everything. The network you built organically? It's actually data. The podcasts you kept returning to, the TikTok accounts that changed how you think about something — those tell you what you're genuinely drawn to in public health and ISLT. That's worth mapping before you start adding "should follow" sources on top of it.
ReplyDeleteThe shift I'd suggest isn't necessarily building a more intentional PLN from scratch — it's getting curious about the one you already have. Who's in it that you didn't consciously invite? What patterns show up in what keeps your attention? Once you can see the shape of it, filling the gaps feels a lot more natural than starting from a list.
The other thing that's easy to overlook: PLNs aren't just about consuming — the lurker-to-contributor arc is real, and at some point the network gets stronger when you start putting things back in. Even just commenting, sharing, or connecting people across your network counts. You're probably closer to that than you think.