This document discusses how online tools like Twitter, Google Reader, Flipboard, and Goodreads can help teachers build personal learning networks (PLNs) and facilitate ongoing learning. It provides an overview of each tool and how teachers can get started using them to connect with other educators, find new resources and ideas, and expand their knowledge over time. Specific recommendations are offered for starting a Twitter PLN, including people to initially follow, and resources are shared for learning more about effectively using each of the discussed tools.

1. The Power of
Online Tools for
Teacher Learning
Tony Keefer
Dublin City Schools

3. We can’t pretend that powerful online
learning communities won’t help us.
We can’t ignore change anymore.

5. Getting Started with Building a PLN
Twitter
Google Reader
Goodreads

10. At times, Twitter
can seem like trying to
drink from a fire hose.
But if you start off small, you can
build a fabulous learning community.

11. Why Use Twitter?
To learn
To share
To get support
To feel connected
To understand how learning is changing

12. Connecting Some Dots
Building Part of My Twitter PLN
Troy
Kevin
Bill Franki

13. Connecting Some Dots
Building Part of My Twitter PLN
Troy
Kevin
Bill Franki
Donalyn Ann Marie
Cynthia
Terry

14. Connecting Some Dots
Building Part of My Twitter PLN
Troy
Colby
Brian
Chris
Kate
Katherine Cindy
Mindi Sara Kevin
Jen Paul
John Bud Franki
Alyson Bill
Teresa
Donalyn Ann Marie
Cynthia
Terry
Kellee

15. Connecting Some Dots Me
Building Part of My Twitter PLN
Troy
Colby
Brian
Chris
Kate
Katherine Cindy
Mindi Sara Kevin
Jen Paul
John Bud Franki
Alyson Bill
Teresa
Donalyn Ann Marie
Cynthia
Terry
Kellee

16. Connecting Some Dots Me
Building Part of My Twitter PLN
Troy
Colby
Brian
Chris
Kate
Katherine Cindy
Mindi Sara Kevin
Jen Paul
John Bud Franki
Alyson Bill
Teresa
Donalyn Ann Marie
Cynthia
Terry
Kellee

17. Who should I follow?
Start with people you already know, then look at who
they are following.

18. Twitter Resources to Explore
1) “Mom, this is how Twitter works” http://www.jhische.com/twitter/
2) “Eight Videos to Help Teachers Get Started Using Twitter”
http://davidwees.com/content/eight-videos-help-teachers-get-started-using-twitter
3) “Nine Ways to Find Teachers on Twitter”
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2011/01/nine-ways-to-find-teachers-on-
twitter.html#.USeijlrSNWc

20. Why Use Google Reader?
To learn
To share
To get support
To feel connected
To understand how learning is changing

21. Flipboard App

22. How to find blogs to follow?
Look for “blogrolls” on sites.

23. How to find blogs to follow?
Follow breadcrumbs left on Twitter

24. Resources for Google Reader
1) “How to Get Started with Google Reader”
http://www.pcworld.com/article/260464/how_to_get_started_with_google_reader.h
2) “How to Use Google Reader” http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Google-Reader
3) “Google Reader Tutorial” http://www
.youtube.com/watch?v=FLCnbABTmSY
4) “50 Must-See Teacher Blogs Chosen By You”
http://edudemic.com/2011/12/teacher-blogs/

27. Why Use Goodreads?
To learn about new books
To share new books
To keep track of your reading life
To feel connected with other readers

28. Resources for GoodReads
1) “How to Use Goodreads: A Guide for Word Nerds”
http://www.juliatomiak.com/2013/01/how-to-use-goodreads-a-guide-for-word-nerds
2)”Goodreads Tutorial” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0itv2htevnw
3) “Book Lovers: If You're Not Already On Goodreads, Here's Why You Should Be”
http://readwrite.com/2012/09/12/book-lovers-if-youre-not-already-on-
goodreads-heres-why-you-should-be

29. I was safe and secure. Stuck in my nest
with a trusted, but small group.

30. Now it feels like I have a huge
flock of friends pushing me to
fly to new places.

31. Photo CreditsThese are licensed for sharing through Creative Commons
(http://www.flickr.com/creativecommons/)
Green DOS Prompt by enggul http://www.flickr.com/photos/enggul/2716159975/
Why by annnna http://www.flickr.com/photos/annnna/2228189828/
•change! by Jordi.Martorell http://www.flickr.com/photos/12614773@N07/7161512230/
•PLN Wordle by Sue Walters http://www.flickr.com/photos/suewaters/2673475018/
•Data Net Interior by DCZwick http://www.flickr.com/photos/dczwick/8257684913/in/photostream/
•Firehose by John G. Evans http://www.flickr.com/photos/joevans/4292116723/
•Nesting Dove by AnnCam http://www.flickr.com/photos/90994070@N00/4684084582/
•Snow Geese in Flight by wolfpix http://www.flickr.com/photos/wolfraven/3052321198/
Other images in this presentation are screenshots from Twitter, Google Reader,
Flipboard and Goodreads accounts.
board and Goodreads accounts.