Is there enough time in the day for PLNs?

Reading about online Professional Learning Networks (PLNs), I find myself wavering and wondering if I should even delve into this territory. Is there even enough time in the day? Below are some scattered yet connected thoughts about the issue.

I recall my first experience with social media was not a good one. I found myself spending hours on-end following blogs and keeping up with status updates and replying to comments. I found that social media diverted my time and effort away from more worthwhile pursuits such as reading a good book, giving my friends and relatives phone calls, and actually visiting them in person. A tool meant to connect individuals was more of a tool that severed authentic relationships with them - rather it replaced real relationships with shallow virtual relationships online.

Generally speaking, social media diverts our attention and scatters our efforts into multiple directions at once. A user who wishes to use social media to the full extent is forced to connect him/herself with numerous parties at once and to free him/herself to continuously follow a wide multitude of streams of information at an instant. One's control of his/her own time vanishes as a result and we become prisoners of the social networks demand of continuous connection, updates, and monitoring.

Technology is a double-edged sword- as a the well-known saying goes. As technology becomes better at connecting individuals across the globe, it becomes increasingly invasive. Truly connected individuals nowadays are those who sacrifice a great portion of their time on these social networks at the expense of other facets or experiences in their lives. Truly connected people must be the first to hear the latest news and see the hottest status update. Is "instant" always better? Does "immediate" lend itself to true thought and reflection? Does the following of hundreds of sources of information make someone more connected or just seemingly connected but really not connected to anything genuine?

Nowadays, there a huge push towards using technology in order to become better teachers and learners. Connected teachers must also be connected learners. That is, not only must teachers use social media and networks as a tool in their pedagogical arsenal but must use these tools to learn, professionally, and become specialists in their field as well. 

It is true that there is some value in social media in that has reduced gaps of space and time and allowed for more accessibility to knowledge and information, which could only be acquired with great difficulty not too long ago. For example, specialists in any field can spread their thoughts and ideas using a blog. Steve Blank, the genius behind the lean start-up methodology for starting a business, regularly shares thoughtful posts on his blog www.steveblank.com, and is now the main go-to place for any ambitious entrepreneur wishing to succeed.

However, I personally see the danger in potentially losing yourself to social media in an effort to be connected. The internet and social media are webs that not only massive but addicting and demanding of much time and effort.   Just reflecting upon my first week taking this course, I have already become overwhelmed by all the different discussion threads that are going on on various social media platforms and which I must follow all at once. It is quite draining and scatterers my mind. At times I wish that all of us can just sit down together and talk face to face and we may be able to accomplish more in less time and in a more personal and authentic environment. An example that many may relate to more easily is trying to text chat or instant message 3 people at once over the span of an our when you could have probably had a deep phone conversation with each of them in a total duration of 10 minutes. It this real connectedness or just mindless superficial diversion?

Currently, I am not on any social media networks and am not on joining the bandwagon just yet. I believe educators should be critical and selective in what they join. The few blogs that I visit every now and then as well as the single mailing list that I subscribe to are enough for me. I probably won't be joining any additional social networks any time soon. Until then, I'll spend my time in a physical library, holding a physical book, and connecting with people from the past.