Week 3: PLN Visual Challenge

I sat long and hard thinking about the best way to visualize my Personal Learning Network (PLN). I quickly realized that I have a lot of passions, and each of them overlaps in some way, shape, or form. As a result, I landed on a Venn diagram to represent my network. Is it the perfect representation? Probably not. But it does a pretty good job of showing how different communities, projects, and interests influence one another in my learning. I should also mention that I did not include a lot of my passions here, simply because there is not enough room, nor time enough in a day to get through it all. That's what this blog is for! You will probably be seeing lots of random topics being related to our course moving forward...

Anyways, lets start by looking at my diagram. To start, I organized my PLN into three major areas: Learning and Instruction, Game Design and Play, and Content and Community. While each area represents a different passion of mine, I quickly discovered that the most meaningful parts of my PLN exist where these circles overlap.

Our first stop on the tour is Learning and Instruction. As a Master's student in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies, many of the communities and resources in this section directly influence how I think about learning. Through coursework, discussions, and projects, I am constantly exposed to new perspectives on how people learn and how instruction can be designed to support that learning. This section serves as the foundation for many of my other interests.

For example, that foundation quickly overlaps with Game Design and Play. Much of my work at FSU has focused on educational game design, combining my love of gaming with my interest in teaching and learning. My long-term goal is to create games that teach players something without feeling like a lesson. One project that emerged from this intersection is a chemistry role-playing game where players use real chemistry concepts to craft spells and progress through the story. Want to cast a water spell? First, you'll need to combine hydrogen and oxygen to make water. Learning becomes part of the gameplay experience rather than something separate from it. If this concept intrigues you, let me know in the comments! I would love to make a blog post sharing this game one day.

More recently, I discovered Minecraft Education and began exploring how it can be used as a learning environment. Last semester, I designed a media literacy escape room that challenged players to evaluate information and solve puzzles while navigating a digital world. Projects like these continue to shape how I think about both games and learning.

Within the actual Game Design and Play section, I reflect on the tools in interact with on a weekly basis. I constantly consume and engage with content in this space, be it watching gameplay videos, learning new game mechanics, or building a game myself. Which ties nicely into the next section: Content and Community!

The final section of my PLN is Content and Community. Many of the ideas and experiences that originate in the other two areas eventually find their way into content that can be shared with others. Whether I am creating videos, designing graphics, writing blog posts (like this one!), or engaging on social media, content creation gives me an opportunity to reflect on what I have learned and share it with a broader audience.

One of the biggest examples of this is Brokiemon, something I have been yapping about throughout these blogs. What started as buying, selling, and trading Pokémon cards evolved into a community of collectors, vendors, and creators. Through conventions, social media, and conversations with others in the hobby, I am constantly exposed to new ideas, experiences, and opportunities. In many ways, this community has become its own learning environment.

The biggest realization from this exercise was that these areas are not separate at all. Learning and Instruction influences how I design games and create content. Game Design and Play provides new ideas that can be applied to learning. Content and Community allows me to share those experiences while receiving feedback that fuels future growth. Together, they create a continuous cycle of learning, reflection, creation, and collaboration that continues to shape both my personal and professional development. 

If you made it this far, thank you for touring my simplified PLN with me. While its not perfect, I think it is a great start into how my network functions, and should give you a great visual of what my goals and interests are. Until next time! ✌