Personal learning environments (PLEs) allow students to design their own learning approaches using various online resources like videos, apps, games and social media chosen to match their personal learning styles and pace. Rather than a single physical or online space, a PLE is a collection of tools selected by the student. The goal is to give students more control over how they learn while teachers set expectations for increased student engagement and understanding of learning strategies.

1. Personal Learning Environments, Spring 2012
Lester and Hamilton
PLEs refer to student-designed learning approaches that
encompass different types of content — videos, apps, games,
social media tools, and more — chosen by a student to match
his or her personal learning style and pace. Despite the use of
the word “environment” in the name, the notion of a collection
or a physical or online space is somewhat irrelevant to a PLE.
The goal is for students to have more control over how they
learn, and for teachers to set expectations that their students
will be more engaged in understanding and applying their
learning strategies.
Working Elements of Student PLEs, Lester and Hamilton Spring 2012 Page 1

2. PLE
RSS Information Information Mobile
Reflect ion/
Feeds Sources Management Apps
Publishing
Tools Spaces and
Tools
Print Soci al
Classmates EasyBib Noodl eT ools GALE Foll ett Wordpress, Wikispaces
Blogs Saved material s eBooks Medi a
PEOPLE: T umblr, or Page
from search in (Google Intervi ew Posterous T hrough The
experts Academic Books,
Widget or with an Blog Unqui et
on the Search GVRL,
li nks to expert in Library
topic Complete Kindle or person,
databases Scoop.i t Evernote EasyBib Evernote
Nook vi a Skype,
(j ournals,
Books) phone, or
newspapers,
magazines, email
book Googl e
Googl e
SIRS chapters,
RSS feed Docs
vi deos, Docs
Authoritati ve from
websi tes podcasts, web
class
(exampl e: resources,
agenda
Veterans statisti cs,
blog
History reference
Project at articles
Library of
Congress)
Learning Gal e Offi cial Authoritati ve Evernote Diggo Feed
GVRL
Blogs of Opposing T wi tter blogs Publ ic of
Classmates Viewpoi nts stream Notebook Bookmarks
Offi cial Scoop.i t
EBSCOhost EBSCOhost
Student Academi c Facebook Dashboard
Research Search pages
Center Complete
Facts on
Fil e Video
Database
PLE
I. RSS Feeds
A. Blogs from experts on the topic
B. Saved search in Academic Search Complete
C. SIRS
D. Authoritative websites (example: Veterans History Project at Library of Congress)
E. Learning Blogs of Classmates
II. Information Sources
A. Widget or links to databases (journals, newspapers, magazines, book chapters, videos,
podcasts, web resources, statistics, reference articles
1. GVRL
2. Gale Opposing Viewpoints
3. EBSCOhost Student Research Center
4. EBSCOhost Academic Search Complete
5. Facts on File Video Database
B. Print materials
C. eBooks (Google Books, GVRL, Kindle or Nook Books)
D. PEOPLE: Interview with an expert in person, via Skype, phone, or email
E. Social Media
1. Official Twitter stream
2. Authoritative blogs
Working Elements of Student PLEs, Lester and Hamilton Spring 2012 Page 2

3. 3. Official Facebook pages
F. Classmates
1. Evernote Public Notebook
2. Diggo Feed of Bookmarks
3. Scoop.it Dashboard
III. Information Management Tools
A. EasyBib
B. NoodleTools
C. Scoop.it
D. Evernote
E. RSS feed from class agenda blog
F. Google Docs
IV. Mobile Apps
A. GALE
B. Follett
C. EasyBib
D. Evernote
V. Reflection/Publishing Spaces and Tools
A. Wordpress, Tumblr, or Posterous Blog
B. Wikispaces Page Through The Unquiet Library
C. Google Docs
Working Elements of Student PLEs, Lester and Hamilton Spring 2012 Page 3