Professional Learning Networks (PLNs)

Presented by... What Is a PLN? A PLN is a system of interpersonal connections and resources that support informal learning. p N L Why? Add your voice to this VoiceThread! Learning Networks Professional How? Article Time! Courtesy of "NaturalReader" http://bit.ly/PLNArticle http://bit.ly/PLNQuestions Case Study! Use Twitter to tweet something you have discovered today...remember to add hashtags like... #tlchat #titletalk Growing Your PLN The goal of education in the 21st century is not simply the mastery of content knowledge or use of new technologies. It is the mastery of the learning process. Education should help turn novice learners into expert learners—individuals who want to learn, who know how to learn strategically, and who, in their own highly individual and flexible ways, are well prepared for a lifetime of learning. National Center on UDL #edchat Now it's your turn! Now! Still not convinced? Personal Passionate "Connectivism presents a model of learning that acknowledges the tectonic shifts in society where learning is no longer an internal, individualistic activity. How people work and function is altered when new tools are utilized. The field of education has been slow to recognize both the impact of new learning tools and the environmental changes in what it means to learn. Connectivism provides insight into learning skills and tasks needed for learners to flourish in a digital era." George Siemens Design used with thanks to Lisa Addison prezi.com/user/91pj5f51p6ya Then! cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo by courosa: http://flickr.com/photos/courosa/344832659/ cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo by courosa: http://flickr.com/photos/courosa/2922421696/ Flanigan (2011) describes PLNs as teacher-driven, global support networks that decrease isolation and promote independence. There are two types of PLNs: information aggregation and social media connections. Flanigan, R. L. (2011, October 26). Professional Learning Networks Taking Off. Education Week. Retrieved from http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/10/26/09edtech-network.h31.html?tkn=NXCFrTi53Q/RNUP7oI3Dyieu/9gskTJyoOc/ Need more convincing? We can no longer personally experience and acquire learning that we need. We derive our competence from forming connections. Siemens, G. (2004, December 12). Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. elearnspace. Retrieved September 28, 2012, from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo by jurvetson: http://flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/4324576896/ Campus life fends off net threat: unis. (2012, Sept 28).Canberra Times. Retrieved September 28, 2012, from http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/campus-life-fends-off-net-threat-unis-20120927-26oer.html Melbourne jumps on the MOOC bandwagon. (2012, Sept 20).TheAustralian. Retrieved September 28, 2012, from http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/melbourne-jumps-on-the-mooc-bandwagon/story-e6frgcjx-1226477804029 Webley, K. (2012, Sept 26). MOOC Brigade: Who Is Taking Massive Open Online Courses, And Why? Time. Retrieved from http://nation.time.com/2012/09/26/mooc-brigade-who-is-taking-massive-open-online-courses-and-why/ and so do we... Step 1: Decide if you want: a) an information aggregation network b) a social media network c) both! Information aggregation: you need an RSS reader! Or subscribe using email (here comes an unashamed plug) Social Media PLN Learners will need new literacies: Social networking Privacy maintenance Identity managment Creating content Organising content Reusing and Repurposing Filtering and Selecting (Steve Wheeler, 2012) Benefits of Information Aggregation PLN? Read from a wide range of sources when and where you want Stay up to date with cutting edge thinkers All of your information in one place at one time A great place to start your PLN What does an Information Aggregation PLN lack? Interactivity - you can post a comment to a blog, but you won't get instant response to a question A sense of community The opportunity to 'give back' and share with the wider community So...you want to try growing a Social Network PLN? (cc) photo by theaucitron on Flickr (cc) photo by theaucitron on Flickr Twitter Diigo Facebook Flickr Pearltrees Building your network What is a hashtag? Attending conferences virtually http://storify.com/KayC28/tweets-from-mysa-12 # like a 'keyword' Use it to search for tweets on a particular topic most conferences now have a hashtag Good hashtags for TLs #tlchat #titletalk #edtech Melbourne Luxembourg Pennsylvania Townsville Florida Colorado Melbourne Melbourne 1. Start small 2. You don't have to tweet...you can just follow 3. Find a few key 'tweeps', then see who they follow May I suggest.... 2 "Experts" 2 Colleagues 1 Uni lecturer ? @joycevalenza @gwynethjones @daniellecart @lyn_hay @jennyluca @KayC28 Staying on top of it all... cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo by marek.sotak: http://flickr.com/photos/30032901@N04/3275031724/ Thanks to Chike: http://www.vecteezy.com/members/chike See you on Twitter soon :-) Uploaded by dereksivers on Jun 28, 2011 Outtake from the book "Anything You Want" - by Derek Sivers Creative Commons Attribution license (reuse allowed) You can download the booklet from here: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BwBciM5qWAuTcldBNjVPTXBtS1U 10 minutes on Twitter A Tour of Twitter