This document summarizes Shaelyn Walton's experience creating a professional learning network on Twitter. It describes how Walton follows accounts like @TEDTALKS to stay updated on education topics, @EPSBNEWS for local school news, and @WEARETEACHERS for teaching ideas and support. Screenshots show Walton gaining followers and connecting with classmates. Walton concludes that Twitter allows connecting with peers and experts, building a network for questions and ideas, and finding valuable educational resources.

1. PROFESSIONAL
LEARNING NETWORK
A presentation
about
connecting,
sharing, and
learning by
Shaelyn Walton
@shaelynwalton

2. JANUARY
21 , 2013
Here’s a
s c r e e n - s h ot a
c o u p le d ay s
a f te r c r e a t i ng
my a c c o un t .
S t i l l h av e a
l o n g w ay to g o
with the whole
t w e et i n g
thing…

3. TEDTALKS UPDATES
@TEDTALKS
Tweets every day
Keeps me up to date
with what’s
happening in
technology,
entertainment, and
design in education
Also informs me
about international
issues in education
and ethics

4. EPSB NEWS
@EPSBNEWS
Tweets every day
Lets me know
what’s happening in
my community, and
allows me to get
involved with local
schools
Gives me an idea
about what
Edmonton’s schools
have to offer

5. WE ARE TEACHERS
@WEARETEACHERS
 Tweets every day
 Made up of a network
of teachers from
different schools and
backgrounds
 Lots of new ideas for
improving pedagogy
 Really helpful to new
teachers; constantly
commenting,
answering questions,
and offering support

6. FEBRUARY
11 , 2013
So this is a
current screen
s h o t o f my
homepage. I’ve
g o t my s e l f a
f ew n ew
f o l l owe r s , a n d
h av e f o u n d
more
c l a s s m a te s a n d
f e l l ow l e a r n e r s
to f o l l ow i n
o r d e r to ex p a n d
my s o c i al
n et w o r k . I ’ v e
ev e n s t a r te d to
g et t h e h a n g o f
# t w e et i n g

7. MY PLN EXPERIENCE
@SHAELYNWALTON
 While I’m still learning how to navigate my way through
Twitter, I am quickly learning what a valuable resource it
is. It allows me to connect with peers, superiors, and
experts in my field, as well as keeping up to date with
new pedagogy.
 In this way, I’ve developed a whole network of people to
answer my questions, provide suggestions, and share
ideas with as I progress through my education.
 So far most of my participation has been with EDIT
classmates, but they are quickly showing me other
resources to draw from. It’s been very helpful.
 I’m going to make an effort to start tweeting at least
once a day, and hopefully my network will continue to
expand!