Tag Archives: PLN

Let Me Tell You About My PLN

I love sharing about how my Personal Learning Network (PLN) has helped me professionally.  It all started when I was comparing Google Sites to Nings as learning communities for work.  I had heard people talk about how they “ask on twitter” so I did…I asked all four of my twitter followers who happened to be my brother, sister, and two of my friends…Obviously, no one responded to my tweet and my skepticism of twitter continued.

Fast forward a couple of months and I’m tasked with teaching twitter to teachers as part of an online communication course.  I stumbled upon this video by Josh Stumpenhorst, A.K.A @stumpteacher.  By watching I learned how to use Twitter AND how to use hashtags!  Here’s the thing, I don’t know Josh and Josh doesn’t know me, but his willingness to share openly online changed the way I learn and connect with others online.

Sue Waters also has a part in this story.  In 2009, she wrote, A Year Later And Are We Using Different Tools to Connect to Our PLNs?  She gave this survey and the results are displayed in the Infographic below.  I was able to use Sue’s research to help me create a PLN Workshop for teachers.

CC (A-SA) by Sue Waters via Flickr

Before I go on, I know people are bummed that Google Reader went away, but I am more bummed that iGoogle went away 🙁

But let me tell you about MY PLN.  I recently created a survey to find out what tools educators are currently using to connect with and learn from other educators…what they use to fuel their PLNs.  I shared the survey via twitter, Google+, and email with my network.  Within a day, I had over 130 responses!

I must share that while I only required responders to indicate which tools they use to connect in the survey, I also asked, Why is being a connected educator important? and most people took the time to answer!  Here is the survey and here are the responses.  I just wish I would have 1) asked people include their name or twitter handle so I could give them credit for their responses and 2) asked for location.

If you are reading this and participated in my survey, Thank you!  And thank you PLN!

PS – If you’re interested in which learning community we went with, we chose Google Sites!

 

 

Pinterest for Professional Development?

Maybe you’ve used Pinterest for party ideas, save recipes, or ideas for home organization, but did you know Pinterest is a great place for PD?  Educators are using Pinterest not just to share cute outfits (80% of Pinterest users are women) but lesson plans aligned to common core, technology integration ideas, and more!  Whether you’re a current Pinterest user or not, check it out to connect with and get great ideas for your classroom!

An Introduction to Using Pinterest for PD to Teachers

 

Awesome Educators on Pinterest to Follow

  1. Matt B Gomez
  2. Erin Klein
  3. Lisa Johnson
  4. Eric Sheninger
  5. Vicky Davis
  6. Sue Gorman
  7. Drew Minock
  8. Jessica Jackson Meacham

Pinterest Tutorials for Getting Started

Pinterest Tips – A Tutorial Guide for Beginners
An excellent tutorial that describes what pinterest is along with the “anatomy” of Pinterest

How to Use Pinterest’s New Look
Scroll down to see great visuals of how to use Pinterest.

Pinterest BasicsGetting started with Pinterest

Additional Pinterest Resources

Pinterest for Educators
Blog post by Eric Sheninger about using Pinterest as part of his PLN.  Also includes additional resources.

Pinterest IS for Educators
An awesome wiki of ideas for using Pinterest in education, tutorials, and much more!

Say Hello to Teachers on Pinterest
A Pinterest blog that includes Elementary Teachers on Pinterest along with suggestions on using Pinterest.

Are you an educator on Pinterest?  Who/What Boards do you follow?  How do you use Pinterest?

What’s Your PLN Like?

Diagram by: Alec Couros

 

I have only recently become more savvy in learning through my Personal Learning Network (PLN).  I used to spend hours on the internet, hunting for information.

 

 

The old me:

  • Googled lesson plans
  • Rarely bookmarked
  • Visited only my favorite resources…sometimes (EdutopiaT.H.E Journal,eSchool NewsTeacher Tube, etc.)
  • Only used Facebook for socializing
  • Had a Twitter account because I heard about it, but I never really used it
  • Wasted a lot of time looking for that “awesome website I saw a couple months ago, but I don’t remember what it was titled”
  • Shared “stuff”…but only in my school

Now I:

  • Still Google Lesson Plans, but I know how to use quotes and + and – now AND have you seen all the cool Google tools on the left?
  • Bookmark the sites I need to access for work
  • Use iGoogle as a reader to bring the information to me
  • Follow my favorites on Facebook (GlogsterEdublogs, etc.)
  • Use twitter to follow Ed. Tech experts (and more…)
  • Use Later This so I don’t loose that awesome website that I don’t have time to read right now but don’t want to loose it…
  • Share globally through my blog, google sites, classroom 2.0, wikis and more
Jeff UTecht’s Stages of Personal Learning Networks Adoption

If you look at Jeff Utecht’s Stages of Personal Learning Network Adoption, I think I go back and forth between Know it All and Balance.  I often find myself wanting to learn more and more and more, and then there are days when I’m all good and know I can tap in when I’m ready.

I think I manage my PLN pretty well, but I also know I have a lot to learn.  There are tools out there that can help me manage it all better, and the best is probably yet to come, and then something better will come along.

What’s your Personal Learning Network like?