Today, I started my personal learning network. First, I had to make a decision, so I combined both Social Work and psychology. This is because, I am not sure which field I will be going into. I spent a few hours searching google, and researching other sites to find professional Social Workers, and psychologist. Also, I searched twitter for expects in my field.
Some of the people that I chose to follow were in the fields of mental health, child abuse, and forensic psychology . These are all the fields I am interested in learning more about. Also, I chose some of these people because they have been in their profession for a long time. In the future they might be able to share some information on these topics with me.
I learned all about new platforms. For example, the thinkspot platform. From these professional blogs, I learned about podcast, how you can promote, and track your podcast. On Dr. Ramani Durvasula blog, I watching a video she posted about narcissistic cults. I learned how a lady overcame being born in a narcissistic cult, and how she over came it in here life by using action. It was interesting because it might be something I will have to deal with in my future career.
One of the challenges I faced building my PLN is not knowing a lot about technology, and what people to chose to follow that would help me to learn more about my career, and how to tape into the global online community of Social Work and psychology.
I neve knew anything about PLN’s before doing this assignment. This assignment forced me to learn about the informational learning environment. The network is full of mentors and discussion groups. I found out that the profession I have followed can enhance my learning in the field that I have chose to purse. There are a large amount of knowledge on peoples blogs. Some of the tools that these professionals can offer are technology, because my skills are lacking in this area.
In the future I can see myself getting some of their professionals books, or these professionals can help me find things online that are related to my profession. It might even help me to learn how to use twitter in a more professional way. Unlike Facebook , there is not that kind of network of professionals on Facebook. On twitter if one person leaves, then there are many more people to fill that void. I think the hardest challenge will be keeping up to date with the people in my field . There are so many people.
English 361-Risa Edelstein 