PLN

= Personal Learning Network =

Connect. Collaborate. Contribute.
= =

==//As we work in a time of rapid change, with students who are digital natives, from within a dramatically new information landscape, the best description of the 21st Century teacher is Master Learner.// ([|David Warlick])==

Session Objectives:

 * 1) Define a PLN and appreciate how and why 21st century educators use them.
 * 2) Begin building your PLN by
 * creating a blog and using other digital tools to
 * locate and connect with other educators with similar interests.
 * 1) Use strategies for managing and growing your PLN.

What Is a PLN

 * Will Richardson's Video
 * [|Blog post from a teacher in the trenches]

* Don't just lurk; ENGAGE and PARTICIPATE.

 * 1) Start slowly and find mentor(s) to help you.
 * 2) Use the same username across tools.
 * 3) Share as much as you take. Share resources, successes, failures, other connections.
 * 4) Ask as much as you answer.
 * 5) Start Conversations.
 * 6) Try new TOOLS before you decide they're not worth the time.
 * 7) Comment on other people's blogs, photos, wikis, nings.
 * 8) Lifelong learning is the key!

** Want to Learn More About PLN's? **
[|David Warlick] and Sue Waters, both international educational presenters, have wiki pages on PLN's.

=Part 1: Create a BLOG.=
 * Complete Thing 2

=Part 2: Subscribe to Other Blogs=
 * Complete Thing 5

=**Part 3: Find More Educators**=

Strategies for Locating Others of Similar Interest:

 * 1) Search **blog lists and blog searches**. If you want other educators to find your blog, be sure to add your own name and link to your blog.
 * [|Support Blogging!]: a categorized list of educational bloggers
 * Blog search engine: [|Google Blog Search]
 * 1) When you find bloggers you like reading - check out their **blogroll**. Bloggers often feature a list of their favorite blogs in the sidebar of their blog; this list is commonly called a blogroll. One of the reasons for adding a blogroll is so your readers can use this list to locate other blogs worth reading — you are saying “these are some blogs I like - which are worth checking out!” (Source: Sue Waters)
 * 2) Check out the **comments** on posts you enjoy reading and following interesting comments back to the person's blog. (Source: Sue Waters)
 * Check out blogger's blog rolls.

Note to Team Leaders: Please add your team members to the BSD Learning Community chart.
 * Just click the edit tool (top right--the pencil); add your content, then click //Save// (at top of page). You'll have to request membership to the wiki (and be approved) before you'll have editing privileges.

//The following sources were used to create this page://
 * Edtechpost Wiki: Weaving Your Blog Network
 * David Warlick: //[|Cultivating Your Personal Learning Network]//
 * Sue Waters//: PLN Yourself!//
 * Lisa Huff//: [|Blog2Teach Wiki]//
 * Photo Credit: [|Mark Treadwell]
 * [|Your PLN Wiki]
 * : [|Take Charge of Your Learning]