The document discusses personal learning networks (PLNs) and how they can help educators reach their next highest level (NHL) by providing guidance, learning opportunities, answers to questions, and the benefit of others' knowledge and experience. It notes that PLNs can incorporate social networks and lists some specific social media tools that could be part of a PLN, including blogs, aggregators, microblogging, social bookmarking, wikis, and podcasts. It encourages the reader to develop their own PLN but warns that they should check with their tech department regarding acceptable use policies at work.

1. Personal Learning Networks Ted Sakshaug Technology Director Wheatland-Chili Schools. [email_address]

2. Life as an educator?

3. Change is too fast, can’t keep up

4. Not enough hours in the day www.flickr.com/photos/ wakajawaka/2258654408/

5. Do you need to re-invent the wheel? http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2239/2344075419_ae1787b437.jpg

6. Would you rather have a group to help?

7. PLN to help you reach the NHL Professional (or personal) Learning Networks (PLN) to help reach your Next Highest Level (NHL)

8. Professional Learning Network A group of people who can guide your learning, point you to learning opportunities, answer your questions, and give you the benefit of their own knowledge and experience. Daniel R. Tobin, Ph.D.

9. Warning: Check with your tech department Can you get through at work? Why not? May be an AUP issue. Can you Plurk at Work? Are you Able to Twork?

10. PLNs and Social Networks PLNs can be social. Primarily grouped on areas of interest Social Facebook MySpace Blogs, Aggregators, Microblogging, Social Bookmarking, Wikis, Nings, Podcasts. Which are best for you?

11. Blogs Where to start? Finding Edubloggers.

12. Aggregators

13. Microblogging http://twitter.com/home http://www.plurk.com/user/tsakshaug

14. Social Bookmarking social bookmarking web based collaborative repository of Internet bookmarks (URLs or links). Such repositories typically support some sort of rating or commenting mechanism to help visitors find and manage bookmarks. http://researchwiki.peacocktech.com/wiki/Thesis/Glossary

15. Podcasts Did you know?

16. Other things Nings Second Life More than I know Something new all the time

17. Now what? That is up to you Takes time and effort, but is worth the time tsakshaug