PLE on a smaller scale
This is written in response to Terry Anderson’s post called PLE’s versus LMS: Are PLEs ready for Prime time? James Farmer does a good job of answering some of the questions I have in The Inevitable Personal Learning Environment Post
I find it hard to conceptualize how PLE’s would actually function on the larger scale - ie for every student engaged in some form of online learning. Who/what would provide the space for a student’s PLE, would they be free, would direction be given on how to set one up, would the development of one be the sole responsibility of the learner and would the incentive simply be the fact that a PLE would be a requirement, like a notebook and pen, for formal learning? Or is it time to get past these ideas from traditional/formal education and really visualize a new paradigm?
All those questions aside, the idea of a PLE becomes extremely appealing when I break it down to the level of the masters program I am currently working on. I have completed over 3/4 of the program and all I really have to show for it are numerous bits of writing scattered through the folders of the three computers in my house, 9 very large binders full of course material that I’ve dragged with me through 3 major moves in the past year and a list of marks that I can access through the university LMS. Gone are the collaborative web sites I worked on in a few courses.
If I had ability to compile work through blogs and e-portfolios that were connected through my PLE I would probably have developed, if nothing else, a stronger sense of accomplishment with regards to my degree.
I am just trying to get my head around the uses of blogs in education. Really appreciate the discussion that this post has generated as well as all the other mind expanding ideas that are out there on ESS, blogs, PLE’s etc.
Still a lot to learn….
