Social learning theory and social media: Exploring informal Personal Learning Environments (PLE)

for professional development (using an iterative design model)

Alexis Smith Macklin, PhD, The Senator John Heinz History Center, asmacklin@heinzhistorycenter.org

IACIS 2013 International Conference

San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 2-5, 2013

What is a Personal Learning Environment?

• Mash-up of distributed services designed to track interactions

• Generally built on Web 2.0 tools

• Learner-driven

The Facilitator (the learner; the network; an

expert)

The Learner(YOU)

The Network(like-minded people; a professional

community)

The Learner I want to learn how to crochet . . .

1. Set a learning goal2. Look for information (an expert/facilitator) to help gain knowledge or insight to support the learning goal

3. Find a community (the network) to hone my skills, share my expertise, gain more insight, refine the learning goals

There were over 10 million hits on YouTube for CROCHET

Feedback from the network

After many failed attempts – and returns to YouTube videos for more explanation – I finally accomplished the goal and posted the end result on Instagram

Feedback from the network

Research Question

Does an iterative design model for a PLE, using social media as a delivery system and social learning theory as a conceptual framework, motivate self-selected participants to • receive and share information, • exchange ideas, and • gauge knowledge acquisition?

Communication

Interaction

Reflection

Evaluation

FacilitatorNetworkLearner

Facilitator Learner

NetworkLearner

Facilitator Sets initial learning goals Establishes initial framework for information intake and exchangeCurates informationInitiates discussionIdentifies contextual, social, and task support for engaging in the networkProvides feedback and guidance

NetworkIdentifies shared learning goals of the groupAdapts framework for information intake and exchange to specific needs of the group; engages in group discussion Curates additional information

FacilitatorNetwork

Synthesizes and analyzes information Sets benchmarks for success Identifies contextual, social, and task support for shared goals Provides

feedback and guidance

LearnerPersonalizes learning goals and benchmarks for success, while interacting with the group Organizes information to support personal learning goals; curates goal specific information Identifies contextual, social, and task support needed to accomplish personal and shared learning goals Evaluates progress

The Design of a PLE

• Promote motivational strategies (Deci & Ryan, 2000)

• Enable self-direction, reflection, knowledge-building, and autonomy by providing options and choice (McLoughlin & Lee, 2010)

• Provide enough guidance and support to achieve the determined goals (Jonassen, 1999; Wolters & Rosenthal, 2000)

Social Learning Theory – the quick version

• Goal Setting • Self-efficacy • Collaborative learning• Motivation

http://www.slideshare.net/malinkaiva/from-personal-learning-environment-building-to-professional-learning-network-forming?from_search=12

Self-selected Content

The teachers’ content included these topics:• Finding primary source materials and activities for my students• Creating themes for primary source use and inquiry based

learning• Aligning activities to state standards• Assessing learning outcomes

The volunteers wanted:• The oral history process – more than just the interview• Setting goals for your project and selecting the people to

interview• Selecting a setting and equipment• Developing a project management system• Conducting background research

What they told me . . .

“It’s hard to remember to participate.”“I don’t know what’s required of me.”“I’m not comfortable sharing that much information online.”“I don’t know who has access to this blog. I don’t want to put myself out there.”

Next Steps

• Spend more time training participants to use Web 2.0 tools for learning

• Spend more time creating a sense of community and building trust

• Create more incentives to motivate and sustain interest long-term

Unraveling the secrets of the PLE . . .

Thank you!

For questions and copies of my paper and presentation:

asmacklin@heinzhistorycenter.org