PLNs Exist Beyond the Glare of the Screen
Some educators believe that PLNs are enriched by including all things digital: Internet sites, social media platforms, blogs, social bookmarking tools, and so on.
One possible explanation for the emphasis on solely digital PLNs may be attributable to professional development programs. During the last two decades, some professional development programs have repeatedly asserted the need to quickly achieve digital competence, or risk losing learners (Godsey, 2015).
While a PLN entirely consisting of digital tools and spaces can be instrumental in designing learner-centered iPad apps, they should not overshadow other resources. Formal and informal interactions with others at conferences, ad hoc work groups, and pilot research studies are just some of the many sources and resources educators can include to enrich their PLNs.
