This document discusses personal learning networks (PLNs) for teachers. It defines a PLN as a way for teachers to personalize their own learning. Teachers can use PLNs to gather resources, connect with experts, and stay up-to-date in their field. Five common types of PLNs are discussed: casts (podcasts and videos), social networks, blogs, microblogs (Twitter), and social bookmarking sites. Aggregators are also covered as a way to bring content from various PLN sources together in one place. The document provides many examples of existing PLNs and encourages readers to create their own PLN to facilitate ongoing professional learning and networking.

1. PROFESSIONAL TEACHING
IN A DIGITAL WORLD
UNIT 3
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2. WEEK 11 - PROFESSIONAL USE OF TECHNOLOGY
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3. WHY DISCUSS IT?
TEACHERS USE TECHNOLOGY:
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4. TEACHERS USE OF TECHNOLOGY:
WHY DISCUSS IT?
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5. PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORKS
(PLN)
PART I:
WHAT IS A PLN? WHY SHOULD I CARE?
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6. PLN: WHAT IS A PLN?
• PLN is either a Personal/Professional Learning Network
• Function of a PLN
o Allows teachers to personalize their own learning
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7. WHAT CAN TEACHERS USE PLN’S FOR?
• Gather resources for your classroom
• Locate free resources for your classroom
• Websites | Software | Grants
• Lesson plan ideas from master teachers
• Learn new information
• Connect with content-area experts
• Keep up-to-date and current
• Learn about new technology and how to integrate it into your teaching
• Find interesting links to education news
• What are the best practices for your classroom?
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8. PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORKS
(PLN)
PART II:
FIVE TYPES OF PLNs
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9. FIVE TYPES OF PLNs
•
•
•
•
•
Casts (Podcasts, Screencasts/ Vidcasts)
Social Networks
Blogs
Microblogs
Social Bookmarking
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10. CASTS
• Podcasts
o A podcast is like a radio show. It usually consists of a series
of individual episodes. you can subscribe to the channel and
listen to the casts on your computer or on a digital audio
player like an iPod.
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11. PODCAST EXAMPLES
o Examples of educators using podcasts for professional
growth includes:
ESL Podcasts
K12 Science in Michigan
SmartBoard Lessons Podcast
Moving at the Speed of Creativity
Learning Matters Podcast
[Tips] Aside from these sources, go to iTunes-podcasts and
choose "Education", you will find tons of educational podcasts
there.
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12. VIDCASTS AND SCREENCASTS ARE ANOTHER METHOD
FOR PARTICIPATING OR ADDING TO TEACHERS PLNS
•
•
•
•
•
K12 Online Conference
School Tube
TEDxNYED
YouTube
Various Webinars
o
o
o
o
Blackboard Collaborate
PBS Teachers Online
Classroom 2.0
ISTE Webinars
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13. SOCIAL NETWORKS
• Social networks are popular for teachers' PLNs. In
addition to Facebook or Pinterest, educators are also
connecting through using the NING platform or
joining online teacher communities:
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14. EXAMPLES OF EDUCATORS CONNECTING
THROUGH SOCIAL NETWORKS
Facebook:
o Science education
o Math education
o ESL education
Online teacher communities:
o TeacherShare
Connect with other teachers as you share
lesson plans online
o NSTA Learning Center – Science Teachers
NING:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Art Education
World Language
Math Education
Special Ed
Social Studies
Elementary 1
Elementary 2
Discovery Education
Google Educators
Microsoft Partners in Learning
PBS Teachers
Google+:
Education Week
Special Education Advisor
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15. BLOG
• Blog is a contraction of the term “Web log"
• It is a type of website, usually maintained by an
individual with regular entries of commentary,
descriptions of events, or other material such as
graphics or video
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16. EXAMPLE OF A BLOG BEING USED AS A
TEACHER’S PLN
Free Technology for Teachers
Tech 4 Teachers
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17. MICROBLOGGING (TWEETING)
•
•
•
A form of blogging that allows users to write brief text updates
(usually less than 140 characters) and publish them.
Can be viewed by anyone or by a select group
Can be submitted by text messaging, instant messaging, email,
MP3 or the website.
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18. HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF TWITTER BEING USED
AS A TEACHER’S PLN
TWITTER4TEACHERS
101 Twitter Accounts for Teachers
Education Twitter Groups
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19. SOCIAL BOOKMARKING
Social bookmarking services help you add,
annotate, edit and share bookmarks of web
documents within your communities.
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20. EXAMPLES OF EDUCATORS USING
BOOKMARKING WEBSITES AS PLN
Pinterest:
Arts education
Language Arts Education
Elementary Education
Diigo:
List of Education-K21 group
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21. PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORKS
(PLN)
PART III:
AGGREGATOR
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22. WHAT IS AGGREGATOR?
• Aggregator is usually a web site or computer
software that aggregates a specific type of
information (RSS feeds) from multiple online sources.
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23. WHAT IS RSS?
• RSS (Rich Site Summary) is a technology that allows
web users to keep track up of their favorite websites.
Usually when you
click on this button
on a PLN webpage
Watch RSS Video
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This box shows up for you to choose
your RSS reader/aggregator you want to
subscribe to.

24. WHY ARE AGGREGATORS SO GREAT? THEY
BRING INFORMATION TO YOU…
WIKIS
SOCIAL
NETWORKS
BLOGS
AGGREGATOR
SOCIAL
CONTENT
NEWS
TWITTER
• Why go to a site, when
you can bring the
content to you!
• Let’s look at examples:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Netvibes
feedly
NewsBlur
My Yahoo
PageFlakes
Protopage
• Which E?
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25. WHAT DOES AN AGGREGATOR LOOK LIKE?
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26. EDUC W200 Week 11

27. TIP #11: Create your own PLN
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28. TIP #11: CREATE YOUR OWN PLN
INSTRUCTIONS:
Create your own PLN that helps you aggregate
useful information of your profession and
network with other professionals in your area.
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29. TIP #11: CREATE YOUR OWN PLN
• Choose on of the following four PLN tools that you
are currently using or most familiar with.
• Follow the instruction and complete the TIP#11.
o
o
o
o
Facebook (http://falloney83.wix.com/pln-for-educators#!facebook/c1yoa)
Twitter (http://falloney83.wix.com/pln-for-educators#!twitter/cnjq)
Pinterest (http://falloney83.wix.com/pln-for-educators#!pinterest/c7ip)
Netvibes (http://falloney83.wix.com/pln-for-educators#!netvibes/c1ann)
• Please post screenshots of your PLN and hyperlink it
on your e-Portfolio >> Professional Development
page
EDUC W200 Week 11