I am very excited about my very first blog! I tried to start one a few months ago, but I never got it up and running. I was able to customize my page the way I like it and add a background. There is still a little more I would like to do with my blog, but it's a work in progress! I was just excited about my first post.
The name for my first blog post came from a part of the text I thought was very interesting. The text mentioned people sometimes refer to personal learning networks as "do-it-yourself-professional-development." While I have some knowledge of personal learning networks and experience with a few of my own networks, I never really thought about it being do it your self professional development. When I used to think of professional development, I thought of sitting in a seminar for a several hours trying to absorb all the information the speaker is saying. Our technologically advancing world and the world wide web has completely changed that. Through these personal learning networks, I can communicate, collaborate, and learn from other people all over the world while sitting in my own living room or classroom. I can chose what I want to learn about and find several tools that will show me how to use it. Personal learning networks allow me to customize my professional development and build upon it when I want to.
PLNs offer more than just a one time learning experience. Richardson and Mancabelli (2011) explained, "Learning networks substitute free resources from around the world and then embed a support system for implementing the work" (p. 33). You are not just given tools. You are given the tools plus the help to implement them into your classroom. You can ask questions or get clarification about the tools with the click of a button. You have people on the other side of the screen who can give you examples, advice, and their own experience with subjects and tools that are available to you.
One of the things I loved about the text from this week was the honesty of the how complex and difficult learning networks can be. While they are such a wonderful source of information, they can also be overwhelming. There is such an abundance of information online! You can find information on just about anything online. With such large amount of information, comes a little bit of trouble. You have to be able to sift through the learning networks that are helpful to you but that are also reliable and authentic.
I like the idea of using a variety of online learning network tools, and it was nice to read about the different tools that are available. I already use a few of the tools the text mentioned such as Diigo, Facebook, and now Blogger! I am not as familiar with Twitter, but I look forward to learning more about it. I also found this awesome article called "The Teacher's Guide on Creating Personal Learning Networks". The site offers the importance of PLNs, tips of how to use them, and other helpful resources.
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I loved the part where he said these networks are like Do-It-Yourself-Professional-Development. I think that's one of the greatest things about connecting online, if you want to learn how to do something it's just a few simple clicks away. For example, I have been interested in Whole Brain Teaching and I can log on each week to Twitter and use the hashtag to follow the Tweet Chat going on and even comment and participate in the conversation.
Thanks so much for sharing that link to the Teacher's Guide on Creating PLNs, there were so many great videos to watch and ideas on expanding your PLN.
I have been watching WBT for a couple years. The strategies are awesome. I am a bit skeptical if I could implement this into my classroom and then the kids will move up a grade...and not use it.
DeleteOverall LOVE IT!
Jen,
ReplyDeleteGreat title and lovely page! Thank you for sharing the website link; it is a super resource. You mentioned that one of the challenges that will come with developing personal learning networks is sifting through the many sources to ensure that they are worthwhile, reliable, and authentic. I presume that this challenge will feel the most exaggerated as we begin creating this network, deciding who to follow, realizing what types of posts different entities tend to publish, and deciding who we feel we can trust for factual information. I have taken the advice provided in our text and taken a look at who trusted people I follow are following as a way to vet safe, worthwhile resources. So far, so good. After a few weeks of expanding our networks, I look forward to reflecting more on this DIYPD experience.
I made a teacher twitter last week and added a whole bunch of accounts. I even added the accounts listed in our book. One actually followed me back! It is really awesome feeling that someone or something we are learning about is actually "friends" with be on Twitter.
ReplyDeleteI actually looked last night and saw ISTE added me to a list to blog with other educators!
Have fun diving in! I am thoroughly enjoying it!
I really like the point you brought up about professional learning networks being “do-it-yourself.” Districts want us to implement all this technology, yet do not provide the training. It would also be near impossible to find training for all this new technology. PLN’s have really given us the opportunity to learn new tools on our own and give us a variety to choose from.
ReplyDeleteYes, PLNs are DIYPD! A well-developed PLN is the one must-have tool for lifelong learners. It frustrates me I hear teachers make comments like, "If the school district wants me know it, they need to train me." While part of that is true, teachers who continue to think like that really don't belong in 21st century classrooms. Teachers have spent years studying the learning process. They should be master learners. They should not miss opportunities to learn through DIYPD.
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