PLE & PLN FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHING: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Recent developments in learning technologies are creating a significant shift in the educational experience. The paper aims at exploring the potential of PLEs (Personal Learning Environments) and PLNs (Personal Learning Networks) through the description of a case study relating to an online training initiative: an innovative answer to the “lifelong competency” management approach to language teaching. The case study refers to an online international initiative promoted in 2012 addressed to teachers, trainers and educators from all over the world, passionate about language learning with the use of technologies. The authors of this contribution planned and moderated a five-week training session within “EVO 2012” (Electronic Village Online), offering a free opportunity to discuss and share ideas, practices, experience through a Moodle platform, in synchronous meetings with international experts and asynchronous workingtools. The main aim was to promote greater awareness of this topic, guiding teachers and trainers to the effective exploitation of the potential of PLE and PLN in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classes.