1. 6/7 May 2013
Class Activity:
During this session until the end of this semester you are to concentrate your efforts on increasing
the depth and breadth of your Professional Learning Network. There is no task to submit at the end
of this lesson; however, you are to focus your energy in growing your PLN for submission later this
semester for evaluation. You can achieve this by following the main gurus in your field as well as to
nurture and develop your own following. Remember that you need to contribute to these networks
and not simply remain passive observers and artifact users. The objective is not to follow the MOST
people but to follow the RIGHT people.
Task 1
Anyone can make it in the virtual world. You might be interested to read the case of Santiago
Swallow on how to fake it till you make it in the virtual world.
http://metro.co.uk/2013/04/19/meet-santiago-swallow-the-biggest-social-media-star-youve-never-
heard-of-3640048/
Task 2
In this section we will explore the range of Google services on offer such as Google Books, Google
Reader, Google Groups as well as the chrome App store. We will also learn how RSS feeds work.
Educational technology blogs to follow through RSS feeds:
1. The Chrome Web Store is an online marketplace where you can find a wide range of
extensions, themes, and apps designed for the Google Chrome browser. Open the Chrome
Web Store https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/apps?hl=EN
and explore the different online resources specifically related to your subject. Build your
personalized Chrome Homepage by selecting and subscribing services relevant to your
subject area. If you own any other devices you can synch these apps and services (using
Google Play Store https://play.google.com/store?hl=en so that you become completely
device independent and can access your work or entertainment from anywhere and
anytime. An example of such a chrome landing page is presented below:

2. 2. Google Apps for Education. Spend some time looking at the some of the Google Apps for
Education , weinars, training programs and resources on offer.
www.google.com/apps/intl/en/edu/
3. Explore Google Books as an online library. This is very useful in selecting your favourite
works for later reading.
4. You might even want to subscribe to Amazon and download the kindle app through the
chrome store. There are many free books available for your reading pleasure.
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-eBooks/b?ie=UTF8&node=1286228011
5. Google for Educators.
http://www.google.com/educators/index.html
• Tools for your classroom
• Classroom activities
• Classroom posters
• Google Teacher Academy
• Teacher Community
•