This article includes information on a research study, about using Twitter within a PLN. Its result mentions specific advantages such as allowing participants to engage in instantaneous conversation and access collective knowledge.

This blog by Tom Spiglanin discusses what a Personal Learning Network is and how his was constructed. He discusses specific characteristics that he believes makes his PLN valuable and describes it as a hardware store, rather than a tool in his toolbox.

In this blog from Debbie Morrison it looks at creating a PLN. However, what make it interesting is her discussion of the difference between PLE's and PLN's which she states are often used interchangeably but shouldn't be.

This paper defines PLE's and PLN's and creates a model for social teachers' presence optimization. It does this after a literature review and analyzing survey results about teachers' use of online social platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Results suggest there is potential for personal and professional development of educators through these networks.

This page by TeachThought Staff connects to a video by Marc-André Lalande that gives a simple definition and explanation of a personal learning network.

This article focuses on the similarities and differences between networks of learning and communities of practice. There is a nice section on the concept of a community of practice and its characteristics as well as their importance in actual development.

This post disusses what a community of practice is and the theories behind them. It also addresses the design of a community of practice and the three criteria involved, domain, community, and practice. Finally it discusses MOOC's.

This page look at the definition of a community of practice and includes there critera that are essential: the domain, the community, and the practice.

This work looks at what Connectivism is, especially as an alternative to the learning theories of behavioralism, cognitivism, and constructivism. It holds that the advent and integration of technology has changed learning.

This article by Stephen Downes gives a definition of a community of practice and then discusses PLE's moving into networks and the characteristics of a learning network: diversity, autonomy connectedness and openness.

I love this site for exploring and sharing good books. It's a favorite form of social media that I think could be really useful for English classes. Alas, the app is rated for adults because it contains links to all kinds of books. Don't know how that's different from a library BUT it has been blacklisted for my students. "Discover and share books you love on Goodreads, the world's largest site for readers and book recommendations!"