A personal learning network (PLN) allows learners to take control of and manage their own learning. A PLN connects educators to content specialists, resources, lesson ideas, new technologies, and collaborative solutions. Educators can use various tools and platforms to build their PLN, including social networks, blogs, podcasts, videos, and groups focused on specific subject areas. Growing a PLN involves following education feeds, blogs, and groups; attending conferences; and using aggregators, social media, and other online spaces where educators connect and share resources.

1. PART I: PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORKS
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2. PLN: WHAT IS A PLN?
• PLN is either a
personal/professional learning
network
• Function of a PLN Connect Collaborate
o Allows learners to take control of and
manage their own learning
o Set your own learning goals Contribute
o Manage learning
o Manage both content and the process
o Communicate with others in the process of
learning
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3. EDUCATOR’S USE OF PLNS
• Learn from content-area specialists
• Locate free resources for your classroom
• Websites | software | grants
• Lesson plan ideas from master teachers
• Learn about new technology and how to integrate it
into your teaching
• Find collaborative solutions
• Find interesting links to education news
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4. INSTANCES OF PLNS
• Professional/Personal Learning Network
• Casts (Podcasts, Screencasts, Vidcasts)
• Social Networks
• Blogs, Microblogging, and Aggregator
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5. REGIONAL PLN FOR EDUCATOR
EXAMPLE NY
• In March of 2010, TEDxNYED was held in NY to examine the
role of new media and technology in shaping the future of
education.
• In addition to viewing the archived TEDxNYED talks,
educators are now connecting through media such as:
• TEDx's YouTube Channel.
• TEDxNYED Reflections wiki
• Facebook fan page
• Follow TEDxNYED on Twitter
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6. INSTANCES OF PLN: VIDCASTS
• K12 online conference
• SchoolTube
• Various Webinars
o Elluminate
o PBS Teachers Online
o Classroom 2.0
o ISTE Webinars
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7. INSTANCES OF PLN: NING RESOURCES
• Art Education • Science Ed
o http://arted20.ning.com/ o http://inspire-teachers.ning.com/
• World Language • Social Studies
o http://edupln.ning.com/group/lan o http://iteachsocialstudies.ning.co
guagelearners m/
• Math Education • Elementary
o http://edupln.ning.com/group/mat o http://edupln.ning.com/group/ele
hteachers mentaryeducators
• Special Ed o http://elementaryteachersnetwork
.ning.com/
o http://tech-in-sped.ning.com/
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8. INSTANCES OF PLN: MORE RESOURCES
o http://community.discoveryeducation.com/
o http://www.google.com/educators/index.html
o http://us.partnersinlearningnetwork.com/Pages/default.aspx
o http://www.pbs.org/teachers/
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9. HOW TO GROW YOUR LEARNING NETWORKS
• View education feeds • Blogs
o http://education.alltop.com/ – Find a teacher who blogs in your
subject area and follow him/her
• Education related groups – School Related Blogs
o Global Education • Claudia Ceraso’s Network
o Classroom 2.0 – With over 400 fellow educators
o Library 2.0 Ceraso’s Delicious is a one-stop for an
educator in any grade level in any
• Attend K-12 conference subject area
o K-12 Online Conference • Diigo
• Set-up an aggregator • Cool tools from educators
o iGoogle • Podcasts
o Google Reader • iTunes K-12
o Netvibes • Webinars
o Feedly U-Stream Weblogg-ed TV
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10. HOW TO GROW YOUR LEARNING NETWORKS –
EDUCATION COMMUNITY
• TeacherShare
o Connect with other teachers as you share lesson plans online
• Teachers Connecting
o This allows you to collaborate with other educators around the globe
for project-based activities
• PBS Teachers
o Includes discussion boards, resource sharing, professional development
and communication with other teachers
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11. A PLN IS NOT JUST LIMITED TO THIS
• You can also use:
o iGoogle (and RSS – more on that next)
o Facebook, Grouply, etc (social networking)
o Twitter (microblogging)
• Any place people meet and ideas or resources are
shared has the potential to become a PLN
• It is not about the tool – it is about the purpose
EDUC W200 Week 11