Methodology

The method of identifying and locating sources was initially conducted as a topic

of interest after the author experienced a brief presentation on personal learning networks

as educational tools. This reviewer first located several blogs by educators, using a

Google search, with the intention to familiarize and investigate concepts and discussions

of personal learning networks. Referenced authors in those blogs, led to additional

articles by leaders in the field of educational technology. The next step was to conduct an

online Google search of those individuals. The search for article titles and information

about personal learning networks was narrowed to Google Scholar. Journal and

magazine articles were found using The University of Northern Iowa Rod Library

Panther Prowler. This database allowed for a power search to refine the topics, which

include communication, computer science, and education. The additional databases used

were Academic OneFile, EBSCO, and ERIC.

While searching the aforementioned resources, the descriptors used during

research included personal learning networks, professional learning networks, learning

networks, social networks, connectivism, and RSS. During the analysis of sources for this

review, the researcher reviewed the works cited of articles for references to experts and

leaders in education and educational technology, date of publication of the articles, and

conducted searches for information from referenced sources of articles. A resource was

evaluated and included as a reference based on relevance to the topic of personal learning

networks, credentials of author, and date of article. Articles’ dates were restricted to 2000

to 2012.