This document discusses social networking and personal learning environments (PLNs) for educators. It defines a PLN as a self-directed learning network that allows educators to connect and collaborate with other educators globally. The document outlines how educators can evolve their PLN by starting simply, making connections through blogs, RSS feeds, social media and video conferencing. This allows educators to grow their PLN, expand their professional development opportunities and increase interconnectedness with other educators around the world.

1. Social Networking and
Personal Learning
Environments:
Embracing Web 2.0 in Your Professional Practice
Patrick Higgins
Adapted from a Presentation by Kim Cofino at the Teach IT!
Conference, Singapore,
November 2007

2. Crucial Concepts
• Understanding PLNs
• Evolution of an
Educator
• Collegial
Connections 2.0
• Grow Your Own PLN
• Resources
Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/kt/485862217/

3. Looking for Learning in the 21st Century
Image from: http://www.weblogcartoons.com/cartoons/o-window.gif

4. Understanding PLNs:
Personal Learning Networks
• 24/7 PD
• Learning Together
• Global Connections
• Learning anytime,
anywhere
• Collaborating
internationally
Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/edwardaggie98/441779394/

5. Understanding PLNs:
Who’s in Your Network?
What do you think?
Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/k2d2vaca/826609448/

6. Evolution of an Educator:
Pre-PLN
Fish image from: http://flickr.com/photos/colodio/114891127/
Cell image from: http://flickr.com/photos/25135663@N00/6787341/

7. Evolution of an Educator:
Simple Beginnings

8. Evolution of an Educator:
Personal Contributions

9. Evolution of an Educator:
Personal Contributions

10. Evolution of an Educator:
Sampling the Spectrum

11. Evolution of an Educator:
Making Connections

12. Evolution of an Educator:
Joining Communities

13. Evolution of an Educator:
Constantly Connecting

14. Evolution of an Educator:
Where are you?
What do you think?
Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/rdaassoc/513882871/

15. Collegial Connections 2.0

16. Collegial Connections 2.0

17. Grow Your Own PLN
From here: To here:
Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/hamed/327939900/
Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/stuckincustoms/310074290/

18. Grow Your Own PLN: RSS
Image from: http://www.lifehack.org/wp-content/files/2007/07/rss-icon-collection.png

19. Grow Your Own PLN: RSS
• Seeking input
• Learning by lurking
• Finding your niche
• Starting conversations

20. Grow Your Own PLN:
Social Networking

21. Grow Your Own PLN:
Social Networking
• Get involved
• Community dialogue and discussion
• Easy entrance to expanding your network
• Wider audience
• Structured format
• Like-minded educators
• Similar skill level

22. Grow Your Own PLN: Blogs

23. Grow Your Own PLN: Blogs
• Contribute
• Develop a “home base”
• Individual reflection
• Share your understandings
• Push your thinking
• Consolidate your learning

24. Grow Your Own PLN:
Develop Your Online Identity
Image from: http://www.socialsignal.com/system/files/2007-06-24-cyberdog.gif

25. Grow Your Own PLN: VoIP
Image from: http://21talks.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/skypeMac.jpg

26. Grow Your Own PLN: VoIP
• Get personal
• Individual connections
• Virtual colleagues
• Quick connections for learning

27. Grow Your Own PLN:
Virtually There

28. Grow Your Own PLN:
Virtually There
• Attend, attend, attend
• Structured PD
• Course Credit
• Free
• In your PJ’s

29. Grow Your Own PLN:
Twitter

30. Grow Your Own PLN:
Twitter
• Build personal relationships
• Connect on an individual level
• Expand your network
• Constantly connected

31. Grow Your Own PLN:
Future Trends
SL image from: http://advancedmedialab.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/barcamp_second_life.jpg
FlashMeeting image from:
http://kmi.open.ac.uk/people/marc/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/flashmeeting1.jpg

32. Grow Your Own PLN:
Become Interconnected
Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/chibijosh/38269880/

33. Grow Your Own PLN:
Possibilities for Your Professional Practice?
What do you think?
Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/100050220/

34. Grow Your Own PLN:
Start Small
Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/areay89/276704743/
Image from: http://flickr.com/photos/28481088@N00/816383628/

35. Resources
All resources for this presentation can be
found at:
http://21stcenturyeducator.wikispaces.com/