2. A Personal Learning Network (PLN) is a system of connections likeA Personal Learning Network (PLN) is a system of connections like
online tools and libraries and even peers that a person utilizes to helponline tools and libraries and even peers that a person utilizes to help
with informal learning.with informal learning.
A PLN is all about connecting with people in order to get informationA PLN is all about connecting with people in order to get information
and learn more about topics of interest.and learn more about topics of interest.
MY PLN consists of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter,MY PLN consists of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter,
YouTube, Instagram, TED Talks, Google+, Google books, StudentYouTube, Instagram, TED Talks, Google+, Google books, Student
assistants, the library, and Pinterest. Each of the following slidesassistants, the library, and Pinterest. Each of the following slides
gives a brief overview of the source and how it is a part of my PLN.gives a brief overview of the source and how it is a part of my PLN.
Definition of a PLN
3. Facebook is one of the social sites I use to share andFacebook is one of the social sites I use to share and
receive information. I watch for content that is postedreceive information. I watch for content that is posted
by others in the various groups I belong to. I also useby others in the various groups I belong to. I also use
Facebook to find fan pages for different authors andFacebook to find fan pages for different authors and
speakers that interest me. Through the Facebookspeakers that interest me. Through the Facebook
groups I belong to like the Educational Technology andgroups I belong to like the Educational Technology and
Mobile Learning group I gain information about usingMobile Learning group I gain information about using
technology in education.technology in education.
Facebook
4. Twitter is another social media site I use to follow authors andTwitter is another social media site I use to follow authors and
leaders in the education field that tweet updated and newleaders in the education field that tweet updated and new
information. Twitter also employs the # (hashtag) in order to discussinformation. Twitter also employs the # (hashtag) in order to discuss
topics that interest me with others all over the world. One of thetopics that interest me with others all over the world. One of the
topics I follow is #edchat. This group meets on Tuesday from 11:00topics I follow is #edchat. This group meets on Tuesday from 11:00
to Noon and again from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Participants from all overto Noon and again from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Participants from all over
the world meet and discuss current education topics.the world meet and discuss current education topics.
Twitter
5. In addition to Facebook and Twitter I use several of theIn addition to Facebook and Twitter I use several of the
different Google apps like Gmail, Google +, and Googledifferent Google apps like Gmail, Google +, and Google
books.books.
Google books allow me to locate and read books onGoogle books allow me to locate and read books on
educational topics I am interested in.educational topics I am interested in.
Google+ has communities I belong to where educators shareGoogle+ has communities I belong to where educators share
ideas to motivate and inspire students.ideas to motivate and inspire students.
Gmail is another source I use to email with different educatorsGmail is another source I use to email with different educators
all over the world regarding different ideas, tips, and tools toall over the world regarding different ideas, tips, and tools to
better engage students in the classroom.better engage students in the classroom.
Google
6. Yet another social media site I use that has a lot of greatYet another social media site I use that has a lot of great
information and helps me to learn new things and stay currentinformation and helps me to learn new things and stay current
on education trends is YouTube. I have several differenton education trends is YouTube. I have several different
channels that I subscribe to in order to gain new and updatedchannels that I subscribe to in order to gain new and updated
information on topics of interest. One of the channels Iinformation on topics of interest. One of the channels I
subscribe to is a channel where teachers watch and sharesubscribe to is a channel where teachers watch and share
videos to help teachers in the classroom. I also use YouTubevideos to help teachers in the classroom. I also use YouTube
videos that are tutorials to help in learning how to better usevideos that are tutorials to help in learning how to better use
things like my new computer and other items I want to learnthings like my new computer and other items I want to learn
how to better use.how to better use.
YouTube
7. Pinterest is a social media site I use to get ideas andPinterest is a social media site I use to get ideas and
information regarding teaching and the classroom as well asinformation regarding teaching and the classroom as well as
ideas and information for craft projects, recipes, andideas and information for craft projects, recipes, and
decorating.decorating.
I also use Linkedin. With my Linkedin account I am able toI also use Linkedin. With my Linkedin account I am able to
connect with other students and educators to have aconnect with other students and educators to have a
resource in completing assignments and ideas for myresource in completing assignments and ideas for my
classroom.classroom.
Pinterest
8. I use student assistants to help me with my assignments.I use student assistants to help me with my assignments.
Because of the language differences between my nativeBecause of the language differences between my native
language of Arabic, I sometimes do not understand thelanguage of Arabic, I sometimes do not understand the
assignments. I also use student assistants to help with myassignments. I also use student assistants to help with my
writing as I do not want to have errors because of thewriting as I do not want to have errors because of the
language differences.language differences.
Student assistants
9. TED Talks is another resource I find as a powerful learning tool. ITED Talks is another resource I find as a powerful learning tool. I
am able to search for any topics of interest and am able to thenam able to search for any topics of interest and am able to then
watch and hear what the speaker is saying. This site is also verywatch and hear what the speaker is saying. This site is also very
helpful since it will let me, at the click of a button, translate thehelpful since it will let me, at the click of a button, translate the
speech into my native language of Arabic. One of the speakers onspeech into my native language of Arabic. One of the speakers on
this site that I really like to listen to is Rita Pierson. She providesthis site that I really like to listen to is Rita Pierson. She provides
great information on educational topics.great information on educational topics.
TED Talks
10. Instagram is another online tool I use to gather ideas forInstagram is another online tool I use to gather ideas for
classroom use. One of the ideas I found and plan toclassroom use. One of the ideas I found and plan to
use is to create a class account to make differentuse is to create a class account to make different
learning units fun and interesting. Instagram also haslearning units fun and interesting. Instagram also has
a marketplace for people to buy and sell items fora marketplace for people to buy and sell items for
both personal and classroom use.both personal and classroom use.
Instagram
11. My local Library is another tool in my PLN. I use the library toMy local Library is another tool in my PLN. I use the library to
research information for my assignments and find books onresearch information for my assignments and find books on
topics that interest metopics that interest me..
Library
12. Web 2.0 is full of resources I use for both teaching and learning. TheWeb 2.0 is full of resources I use for both teaching and learning. The
tools include things like blogs, 3D projects, online storage site totools include things like blogs, 3D projects, online storage site to
create games and quizzes, audio and video editing tools, and sitescreate games and quizzes, audio and video editing tools, and sites
like the one I use a lot Cool Tools for Schools to create presentationslike the one I use a lot Cool Tools for Schools to create presentations
forfor
Web 2.0
13. Currently my PLN consists of mostly the library, student assistants,Currently my PLN consists of mostly the library, student assistants,
social media sites and Web 2.0 sites. All of these resources helpsocial media sites and Web 2.0 sites. All of these resources help
me to get the information I need to learn and become betterme to get the information I need to learn and become better
educated as well as to complete assignments.educated as well as to complete assignments.
Current PLN
