1. P N
How to create your
PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORK
for Professional Development & Research
Corinne Weisgerber & Shannan Butler
Assistant Professors of Communication

2. “ The summation of human experience is
being expanded at a prodigious rate, and
the means we use for threading through
the consequent maze to the momentarily
“
important item is the same as was used in
the days of square-rigged ships.

3. “ The summation of human experience is
being expanded at a prodigious rate, and
the means we use for threading through
the consequent maze to the momentarily
“
important item is the same as was used in
the days of square-rigged ships.
Vannevar Bush, 1945

4. Books
Research
Experience

5. Books
Research
Experience
Expert
Expert 1 Expert 2 Expert 3 Knowledge

6. Books
Research
Experience
Expert
Expert 1 Expert 2 Expert 3 Knowledge
Knowledge
Pipe

7. Books
Research
Experience
Expert
Expert 1 Expert 2 Expert 3 Knowledge
Knowledge
Pipe
Personal
Resources
YOU

8. Books
Research
Experience
Expert
Expert 1 Expert 2 Expert 3 Knowledge
Knowledge
Pipe
Filter
Personal
Resources
YOU

9. Books
Research
Experience
Expert
Expert 1 Expert 2 Expert 3 Knowledge
Knowledge
Pipe
Filter
Personal
Resources
YOU

10. Books
Research
Experience
Expert
Expert 1 Expert 2 Expert 3 Knowledge
Knowledge
Pipe
Filter
Share Your
Knowledge
& Experience Personal
Resources
YOU

11. Everyone’s Books
Knowledge Research
Pool Grows Experience
Expert
Expert 1 Expert 2 Expert 3 Knowledge
Knowledge
Pipe
Filter
Share Your
Knowledge
& Experience Personal
Resources
YOU

12. “
PLNs are deliberately formed networks of
“
people and resources capable of guiding
our independent learning goals and
professional development needs.

13. How to build a PLN using

14. How to build a PLN using
Twitter Social Bookmarks
Blogs

15. What is
Twitter ?

16. What is
Twitter ?

17. Status Updates
What is
Twitter ?

18. Blogging
What is
Twitter ?

19. Chat Room
What is
Twitter ?

20. Instant Messages
What is
Twitter ?

21. Text Messages
What is
Twitter ?

22. What is
Twitter ?

23. You don’t need to tweet to get value out of Twitter

24. Setting Up Your PLN Using Twitter
Identify people in your field whose work you admire
Use Twitter’s search engine to find their Twitter handle
Follow them on Twitter
Expand the list of experts you follow by:
Checking their following/follower lists +
Checking RTs to find out who sent the original tweet +
Checking out the #followfriday suggestions +
Checking out Twitter lists +

25. Setting Up Your PLN Using Blogs
Identify people in your field whose work you admire
Find their individual and/or organizational blogs
Subscribe to their blog’s RSS feed
Expand the list of experts you subscribe to by:
Checking their blog roll +
Following links on their blog to other blogs +
Checking to see if your favorite twitter users blog +

26. Setting Up Your PLN Using Social Bookmarks
Identify a resource on a topic of interest
Bookmark it using a social bookmarking service
Check to see who else has bookmarked the resource
Examine their tag cloud to see what their interests are
Look for someone who fits your interests
Confirm they offer multiple resources of interest to you
Add their bookmark feed to your feed reader +

27. How to maintain a PLN: Lagniappes

28. How to maintain a PLN: Lagniappes & the Gift of Giving

29. Sharing on your blog

30. Sharing visualizations

31. Sharing slides on Slideshare

32. Sharing student projects

33. Sharing assignments on Wikis

34. The Benefits of a PLN
in Academe

35. Curriculum Development

36. Twitter Network as Research Assistants
Active Social Search

37. Twitter Network as Research Assistants
Active Social Search

38. Passive Social Search:
Receiving pertinent info from PLN without asking for it

39. COMM 3309
Social Media for Public Relations
St. Edward’s University • Department of Communication
Section 01 • Spring 2010 • TH 118 • MW 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
Instructor: Dr. Corinne Weisgerber
Email: corinnew@stedwards.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In April 2006, Richard Edelman, CEO of the largest independently owned PR firm in the world,
told an audience of PR professionals that:
“The media, communications, and marketing landscape in which the public relations industry
was developed is being knocked down [...] It is the decline of media based on a top-down
model of communications. In this model, a small group of elites are briefed in advance with
messages that are too often tightly scripted to brief the national newspaper, broadcast
networks and newsmagazines. The message is then simplified and communicated to a mass
audience via advertising or as “earned” editorial. This model is premised on the audience
being passive receptors for the message [...] In the emerging model, as epitomized by
YouTube, MySpace, Oh My News and Wikipedia, ordinary people provide content to others.
Ideas and information are passed virally. This consumer generated content alters the laws of
control of message. Many are calling this new social and user driven media ‘Web 2.0.’”
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIT
* Many thanks to Barbara Nixon from Georgia Southern University. This project is based heavily on her work there.
This assignment gives you an opportunity to learn how to monitor blog and other social media
content in a way that provides similar insight offered by more traditional environmental scanning
methods. Many people will discuss your client or organization and its products/services on their
own Web sites or on social media sites, outside of realm traditional media. Just as it is important for
you to know what the media and your community are saying about your organization and its
products/services, it is important to know what is being said in social media sites like blogs, social
networks, and microblogs.
For this assignment, you will:
• monitor the online conversation that has occurred about an organization or brand of your
choosing during the past 4 weeks
• create a table for your data, and
• write an analysis of the conversation with suggestions for action.

40. Crowdsourcing
COMM 3309
COMM 3309
Social Media for Public Relations
Social Media for Public Relations
St. Edward’s University ••Department of Communication
St. Edward’s University Department of Communication
Section 01 •• Spring 2010 •• TH 118 •• MW 3:30 ––4:45 p.m.
Section 01 Spring 2010 TH 118 MW 3:30 4:45 p.m.
Instructor: Dr. Corinne Weisgerber
Instructor: Dr. Corinne Weisgerber
Email: corinnew@stedwards.edu
Email: corinnew@stedwards.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In April 2006, Richard Edelman, CEO of the largest independently owned PR firm in the world,
In April 2006, Richard Edelman, CEO of the largest independently owned PR firm in the world,
told an audience of PR professionals that:
told an audience of PR professionals that:
“The media, communications, and marketing landscape in which the public relations industry
“The media, communications, and marketing landscape in which the public relations industry
was developed is being knocked down [...] It is the decline of media based on aatop-down
was developed is being knocked down [...] It is the decline of media based on top-down
model of communications. In this model, aasmall group of elites are briefed in advance with
model of communications. In this model, small group of elites are briefed in advance with
messages that are too often tightly scripted to brief the national newspaper, broadcast
messages that are too often tightly scripted to brief the national newspaper, broadcast
networks and newsmagazines. The message is then simplified and communicated to aamass
networks and newsmagazines. The message is then simplified and communicated to mass
audience via advertising or as “earned” editorial. This model is premised on the audience
audience via advertising or as “earned” editorial. This model is premised on the audience
being passive receptors for the message [...] In the emerging model, as epitomized by
being passive receptors for the message [...] In the emerging model, as epitomized by
YouTube, MySpace, Oh My News and Wikipedia, ordinary people provide content to others.
YouTube, MySpace, Oh My News and Wikipedia, ordinary people provide content to others.
Ideas and information are passed virally. This consumer generated content alters the laws of
Ideas and information are passed virally. This consumer generated content alters the laws of
control of message. Many are calling this new social and user driven media ‘Web 2.0.’”
control of message. Many are calling this new social and user driven media ‘Web 2.0.’”
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIT
SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIT
**Many thanks to Barbara Nixon from Georgia Southern University. This project is based heavily on her work there.
Many thanks to Barbara Nixon from Georgia Southern University. This project is based heavily on her work there.
This assignment gives you an opportunity to learn how to monitor blog and other social media
This assignment gives you an opportunity to learn how to monitor blog and other social media
content in aaway that provides similar insight offered by more traditional environmental scanning
content in way that provides similar insight offered by more traditional environmental scanning
methods. Many people will discuss your client or organization and its products/services on their
methods. Many people will discuss your client or organization and its products/services on their
own Web sites or on social media sites, outside of realm traditional media. Just as it is important for
own Web sites or on social media sites, outside of realm traditional media. Just as it is important for
you to know what the media and your community are saying about your organization and its
you to know what the media and your community are saying about your organization and its
products/services, it is important to know what is being said in social media sites like blogs, social
products/services, it is important to know what is being said in social media sites like blogs, social
networks, and microblogs.
networks, and microblogs.
For this assignment, you will:
For this assignment, you will:
monitor the online conversation that has occurred about an organization or brand of your
•• monitor the online conversation that has occurred about an organization or brand of your
choosing during the past 44weeks
choosing during the past weeks
•• create aatable for your data, and
create table for your data, and
write an analysis of the conversation with suggestions for action.
•• write an analysis of the conversation with suggestions for action.

41. Crowdsourcing
Twitter PLN
link informs assignment
(which itself was COMM 3309
COMM 3309
Social Media for Public Relations
Social Media for Public Relations
crowdsourced) St. Edward’s University ••Department of Communication
St. Edward’s University Department of Communication
Section 01 •• Spring 2010 •• TH 118 •• MW 3:30 ––4:45 p.m.
Section 01 Spring 2010 TH 118 MW 3:30 4:45 p.m.
Instructor: Dr. Corinne Weisgerber
Instructor: Dr. Corinne Weisgerber
Email: corinnew@stedwards.edu
Email: corinnew@stedwards.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In April 2006, Richard Edelman, CEO of the largest independently owned PR firm in the world,
In April 2006, Richard Edelman, CEO of the largest independently owned PR firm in the world,
told an audience of PR professionals that:
told an audience of PR professionals that:
“The media, communications, and marketing landscape in which the public relations industry
“The media, communications, and marketing landscape in which the public relations industry
was developed is being knocked down [...] It is the decline of media based on aatop-down
was developed is being knocked down [...] It is the decline of media based on top-down
model of communications. In this model, aasmall group of elites are briefed in advance with
model of communications. In this model, small group of elites are briefed in advance with
messages that are too often tightly scripted to brief the national newspaper, broadcast
messages that are too often tightly scripted to brief the national newspaper, broadcast
networks and newsmagazines. The message is then simplified and communicated to aamass
networks and newsmagazines. The message is then simplified and communicated to mass
audience via advertising or as “earned” editorial. This model is premised on the audience
audience via advertising or as “earned” editorial. This model is premised on the audience
being passive receptors for the message [...] In the emerging model, as epitomized by
being passive receptors for the message [...] In the emerging model, as epitomized by
YouTube, MySpace, Oh My News and Wikipedia, ordinary people provide content to others.
YouTube, MySpace, Oh My News and Wikipedia, ordinary people provide content to others.
Ideas and information are passed virally. This consumer generated content alters the laws of
Ideas and information are passed virally. This consumer generated content alters the laws of
control of message. Many are calling this new social and user driven media ‘Web 2.0.’”
control of message. Many are calling this new social and user driven media ‘Web 2.0.’”
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIT
SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIT
**Many thanks to Barbara Nixon from Georgia Southern University. This project is based heavily on her work there.
Many thanks to Barbara Nixon from Georgia Southern University. This project is based heavily on her work there.
This assignment gives you an opportunity to learn how to monitor blog and other social media
This assignment gives you an opportunity to learn how to monitor blog and other social media
content in aaway that provides similar insight offered by more traditional environmental scanning
content in way that provides similar insight offered by more traditional environmental scanning
methods. Many people will discuss your client or organization and its products/services on their
methods. Many people will discuss your client or organization and its products/services on their
own Web sites or on social media sites, outside of realm traditional media. Just as it is important for
own Web sites or on social media sites, outside of realm traditional media. Just as it is important for
you to know what the media and your community are saying about your organization and its
you to know what the media and your community are saying about your organization and its
products/services, it is important to know what is being said in social media sites like blogs, social
products/services, it is important to know what is being said in social media sites like blogs, social
networks, and microblogs.
networks, and microblogs.
For this assignment, you will:
For this assignment, you will:
monitor the online conversation that has occurred about an organization or brand of your
•• monitor the online conversation that has occurred about an organization or brand of your
choosing during the past 44weeks
choosing during the past weeks
•• create aatable for your data, and
create table for your data, and
write an analysis of the conversation with suggestions for action.
•• write an analysis of the conversation with suggestions for action.

42. Crowdsourcing
Twitter PLN Bookmarking
link informs assignment link gets reshared
(which itself was COMM 3309
COMM 3309
Social Media for Public Relations
Social Media for Public Relations
with social
crowdsourced) St. Edward’s University ••Department of Communication
St. Edward’s University Department of Communication
Section 01 •• Spring 2010 •• TH 118 •• MW 3:30 ––4:45 p.m.
Section 01 Spring 2010 TH 118 MW 3:30 4:45 p.m.
bookmarking PLN
Instructor: Dr. Corinne Weisgerber
Instructor: Dr. Corinne Weisgerber
Email: corinnew@stedwards.edu
Email: corinnew@stedwards.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In April 2006, Richard Edelman, CEO of the largest independently owned PR firm in the world,
In April 2006, Richard Edelman, CEO of the largest independently owned PR firm in the world,
told an audience of PR professionals that:
told an audience of PR professionals that:
“The media, communications, and marketing landscape in which the public relations industry
“The media, communications, and marketing landscape in which the public relations industry
was developed is being knocked down [...] It is the decline of media based on aatop-down
was developed is being knocked down [...] It is the decline of media based on top-down
model of communications. In this model, aasmall group of elites are briefed in advance with
model of communications. In this model, small group of elites are briefed in advance with
messages that are too often tightly scripted to brief the national newspaper, broadcast
messages that are too often tightly scripted to brief the national newspaper, broadcast
networks and newsmagazines. The message is then simplified and communicated to aamass
networks and newsmagazines. The message is then simplified and communicated to mass
audience via advertising or as “earned” editorial. This model is premised on the audience
audience via advertising or as “earned” editorial. This model is premised on the audience
being passive receptors for the message [...] In the emerging model, as epitomized by
being passive receptors for the message [...] In the emerging model, as epitomized by
YouTube, MySpace, Oh My News and Wikipedia, ordinary people provide content to others.
YouTube, MySpace, Oh My News and Wikipedia, ordinary people provide content to others.
Ideas and information are passed virally. This consumer generated content alters the laws of
Ideas and information are passed virally. This consumer generated content alters the laws of
control of message. Many are calling this new social and user driven media ‘Web 2.0.’”
control of message. Many are calling this new social and user driven media ‘Web 2.0.’”
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIT
SOCIAL MEDIA AUDIT
**Many thanks to Barbara Nixon from Georgia Southern University. This project is based heavily on her work there.
Many thanks to Barbara Nixon from Georgia Southern University. This project is based heavily on her work there.
This assignment gives you an opportunity to learn how to monitor blog and other social media
This assignment gives you an opportunity to learn how to monitor blog and other social media
content in aaway that provides similar insight offered by more traditional environmental scanning
content in way that provides similar insight offered by more traditional environmental scanning
methods. Many people will discuss your client or organization and its products/services on their
methods. Many people will discuss your client or organization and its products/services on their
own Web sites or on social media sites, outside of realm traditional media. Just as it is important for
own Web sites or on social media sites, outside of realm traditional media. Just as it is important for
you to know what the media and your community are saying about your organization and its
you to know what the media and your community are saying about your organization and its
products/services, it is important to know what is being said in social media sites like blogs, social
products/services, it is important to know what is being said in social media sites like blogs, social
networks, and microblogs.
networks, and microblogs.
For this assignment, you will:
For this assignment, you will:
monitor the online conversation that has occurred about an organization or brand of your
•• monitor the online conversation that has occurred about an organization or brand of your
choosing during the past 44weeks
choosing during the past weeks
•• create aatable for your data, and
create table for your data, and
write an analysis of the conversation with suggestions for action.
•• write an analysis of the conversation with suggestions for action.

43. Weisgerber, C. & Butler, S. (in press). Social Media
as a Professional Development Tool: Using Blogs,
Microblogs and Social Bookmarks to Create
Personal Learning Networks. In C. Wankel (ed.),
Teaching Arts & Science with Social Media.
Bingley, U.K.: Emerald.