Personal+Learning+Networks

Professional Learning Network  PLN’s - Transform your Personal Learning Network (PLN) into an amazing resource to learn from people around the world. Learn how to use Twitter, Tweetdeck, Diigo, iChat, Skype, Flickr, Picasa, Google talk, Facebook, Facebook fan pages, wikispaces, blogs and more. [|How to be a part of a PLN] A few days ago, I posted about how proud I am of a group of teachers for taking on the effort required to be a part of a PLN and choosing to take advantage of that in order to become a better educator. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to talk about it, so for this post, I’m going to share my recommendations of how to take advantage of your PLN and also become an active participant! Pretty simple…PLN is short for Professional Learning Network. It’s the group of colleagues that you go to when you need help, wisdom, or someone to simply talk to. Well, you probably already have one, but you just haven’t labeled yourselves in that way. When you go across the hall to ask that teacher how they are teaching a lesson, you are accessing your PLN. When you map out your activities together, your meeting with your PLN. When you go out to “dinner” after the last TAKS test simply to celebrate…yup…that’s your PLN too. It’s those professionals in your field that you go to learn from! The key though, is labeling it the right way. When you start talking to each other as a PLN, you all start to realize the power and influence you each have on the other. You understand that your opinions matter and you let the other person know that they matter as well! So, rather than just saying you are a team, start calling yourselves a PLN…which is a team…and be PROUD of it! Show off how awesome you are together! Growing your PLN is really important, because without growth, eventually you will run out of ideas! For me, my PLN is on Twitter. I connect with teachers across the world and take their ideas, advice, and wisdom, and try to find ways that I can make it work in my little piece of Texas. You can find out who to follow by watching those that you respect on Twitter and noticing who they follow and interact with (You can follow me as a start…selfless plug, I know). Another great idea…ASK! Ask someone who they would recommend following…I bet they have some recommendations…and sit back a “listen”. Almost everyone starts out in their PLN as being a taker…taking others ideas, lessons, etc…and walking away, but it can’t stop there! You have to mature and move over to the role of contributor. Become a leader in your PLN by sharing your ideas with others! Start a blog! Make recommendations of who to follow! Lead! It’s the natural progression of the PLN and you HAVE to be a part…or else we all get weaker!
 * What is a PLN?**
 * How do you get one?**
 * How do you grow your PLN?**
 * Moving from taker to contributor**

Collect, Highlight and then Remember

Diigo is a social bookmarking tool that allows you to bookmark and share your bookmarks from anywhere -- One of my Favorite tools!! Upgrade to a free Educator account Info full resources

Twitter

Twitter/Tweetdeck Resources
What you missed in one day if you weren't on Twitter Twitter in 60 seconds (video) [|Twitter in Plain English] (video) [|Why Educators Should Use Twitter] (video)

[|Twitter] [|Tweetdeck] Cybraryman's [|Twitter hashtags] Alan November's [| Educational Hashtag List]

Challenge links . ..
[|Twitter live chat schedule by hashtag] [|The numbers behind twitter] [|7 ways to save time with Twitter]

Facebook Fan Pages > (and may other ESU's)
 * I follow: Professional Development Educational Servide Unit #9
 * Free Technology for Teachers
 * Hershey Panthers
 * NETA
 * [|KHAS-TV SkyWatch 5 Weather]
 * Runners World Magazine
 * Edutopia
 * Hy Vee - Grand Island (or any other store)
 * Peter H Reynolds
 * Back Alley Bakery

iChat - Mac only: great way to connect with teachers anywhere in the world

Google Talk- Google's version of Skype-- cross platform

Google Talk

- Like Facebook, but made for schools (Demo by Darren Hansen, Lexington Public Schools)

Skype