This document discusses professional learning networks (PLNs) and how educators can build and utilize their own PLNs. It defines PLNs as networks created by an individual to support their own personal and professional development. It recommends that educators identify specific people to connect with online and use tools like RSS readers, bookmarks, documents, and links shared over social media and bookmarking sites to actively participate in their PLN and learn from others. The document emphasizes that merely connecting online is not enough and educators must get involved, share, and provide feedback within their PLN for it to truly support their professional growth.

1. Building Communities and Networks for Professional Development (Chap. from Tuesday, 29 March 2011Utecht, J. (2010) By Ernest Ngendahayo Flinders University 29/03/2011

2. Communities Common personal or professional interests Networks “An extended group of people with similar interests or concerns who interact and remain in informal contact for mutual assistance or support” One’s choice based on interest Meaning Power E.g. Facebook, Twitter (Online) Communities and Networks 29/03/2011

3. PLNs= “those networks you create that revolve around personal and professional development’ It starts with you How does it work? Watch this Specific people you decide to connect with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK8kqjNomAg PLNs (Cntd) 29/03/2011

4. ‘My PLN is a real time professional development network of educators that I rely on to do my job as an educator’ Examples : Delicious, Diigo, Google docs, etc. E.g. Links to articles, ideas on lesson plans PLNs (Cntd) 29/03/2011

5. PLNs (Cntd) 29/03/2011

6. Really Simple Syndication (RSS): Internet format that allows a user to connect a website to an “RSS reader” Firefox's icon is used Link to RSS video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0klgLsSxGsU How to use RSS? Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLKZrsotvsQ Networks without communities 29/03/2011

7. The info finds you You choose your favourite web site: you control the control that comes to you Used on any devise that has internet connection Sequentially ordered content It connects you to other websites and blogs (e.g. Twitter, Delicious, Diigo). Use a RSS Reader that acts as a ‘gateway to the web’ RSS: the ‘most powerful’ Web 2:0 tool! 29/03/2011

8. Networks without communities (Pictures from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK8kqjNomAg) 29/03/2011

9. Networks without communities 29/03/2011

10. With RSS, you are in a virtual staff room 29/03/2011

11. How do you feel when you don’t get a feedback from an email or a post? Time and effort needed for better use Active participation better learning Building your Network: You have to make it benefit you! How? 29/03/2011

12. Get actively involved, share Don’t stay behind the community Can be overwhelming for educators! What to do? Get aware of the potential of the people you can be networking with through your ‘virtual staff room’ Use any spare time you have Become Part of a Community 29/03/2011

13. Self-promoting introduction (bio) ‘Online Magnet’: An avatar (created or own photo) Saying Quotations Website A combination of any of the above Etc. Growing your Professional Network 29/03/2011

14. “Being connected is NOT being networked!” Use connections in place to create your PLN. Provide feedback on how ‘it’ works for you. Make it work for others especially your students Q3: Should all educators join online PLN(s)? Making your network work for you 29/03/2011