PLN-PLE

toc From Nov, 2011 Cyber Sandbox Workshop

Personal Learning Network (PLN)
A Personal Learning Network is where you can turn when you want to learn about something. Learning networks are nothing new. However, today's technology makes it possible to extend the reach and extent of your network. It is important for teachers and students alike to create and cultivate PLNs of their own; to include a variety of viewpoints; and most importantly to have developed critical and analytic skills.

"PLNs are deliberatly formed networks of people and resources capable of guiding our independent learning goals and professional development needs." (Corinne Weisgerber & Shannan Butler, How to Create Your Personal Learning Network, Slideshare)

"A PLN is a network of professionals with whom you share knowledge, and from whom you gain knowledge." ~Richard Byrne

Add your thoughts to this Padlet. Just double click on the board, type your name and post comments, image, video, etc. media type="custom" key="24830974"

Ways Educators Use PLNs
How can PLNs change teaching and learning?
 * Professional development – learn from content-area specialists
 * Locate resources for your classroom---free websites and software
 * Get lesson plan ideas from master teachers
 * Learn about new technology and how to integrate it into your teaching
 * Find collaborative solutions
 * Find interesting links to education news
 * Help students develop their own Personal Learning Environments

Stages of PLN Adoption


All PLNs start with a single connection!

The Five C's of Developing a PLN
Consider, Consume, Converse, Create, Celebrate
 * From the Innovative Educator- 5 C's of PLNs**

Develop and Build Your PLN
Connect, Collaborate, Contribute
 * An RSS Aggregator (ie: Symbaloo, Netvibes, Feedly) can be the first step in creating your PLN. Set up an RSS Aggregator and subscribe
 * Choose a few blogs you are interested in; l urk for awhile; read your blogs
 * Join a professional social network - [|Classroom 2.0], The Educator's PLN, edWeb.net, Independent School Educator Network, [|EduBlogger World], [|Ning in Education][|Discovery Educator Network], PAEducatorsNing, Teacher Leaders, Linked In
 * Participate--join in the conversation by commenting on what you read
 * Join [|Twitter] -
 * If you were on Twitter
 * What should a networked educational leader tweet about?
 * 100+ Influential Learning Professionals Worth Following
 * Start your own blog
 * Blogger
 * WordPress

The Twitter #hashtag
You use hashtags to categorize tweets by keyword. Clicking on a hashtagged word in any message shows you all other Tweets marked with that keyword. Educational Hashtags



Ning Social Network Directory
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Social Bookmarking

 * Store and share websites of interest to you
 * Can be accessed anywhere, anytime
 * Delicious
 * PortaPortal
 * Diigo

Network with Students

 * Facebook - Class page
 * Goodreads - Social network for readers - Goodreads in the high School Classroom
 * Twitter
 * Learning Management System

Developing Student PLNs
Educator Ann S. Michaelsen explains the power of student PLNs

This video shows how on-line networking can enhance students’ 21st century skills. • Critical thinking & problem solving •Creativity & innovation •Collaboration •Communication media type="youtube" key="XwM4ieFOotA" height="345" width="427"
 * 3 Rs plus 4 Cs**

This video shows an example of a 7th grade student's PLE. media type="youtube" key="YEls3tq5wIY" height="319" width="419"
 * Language Arts:** Have students set up an RSS Aggregator with a few feeds on topics they care about. Have them read these feeds each week. Then think, react, reflect on their reading and blog at least two entries per week.

This same idea can be used in any content area. Take a topic from one chapter in the text. Have students find and learn information about that topic on their own and present to class.

Create or have students create Personal Learning Environments. Can be topic related or all-encompassing.

Tools to Manage your PLE/PLN
@Symbaloo - a Visual Webmix [|Netvibes]