Presented by Kay Cantwell Education Officer: Digital Learning

What is a PLN
A PLN is a system of interpersonal connections and resources that support informal learning.

Why would I want a PLN?

Access resources inspirational ideas when and where you want Engage in professional sharing Connect with leaders in your field Model contemporary learning

Are PLNs based on Research?

Flanigan, R. L. (2011, October 26). Professional Learning Networks Taking Off. Education Week.

Siemens, in 2004, outlined his theory of Connectivism, which is a theory of learning that moves from within the individual, where traditional learning theories such as constructivism and behaviourism, and explores the act of making connections between various data sets or sites of knowledge or information. He suggests that learning resides in diversity of opinions, and that it may reside in places other than humans (i.e. within computer networks such as the internet). Connectivism is a learning theory for the digital age, as it suggests that the capacity to know is more critical than what is currently known, and that the ability to make and maintain connections (between people, ideas, concepts etc) is a major purpose of learning. With this in mind, construction of a Professional/Personal Learning Network is essential for anyone who wishes to maintain currency in a rapidly changing information environment. It is a skill we must develop as professionals, and one we must teach to students. The amount of information available now exceeds our physical human capacity to store it therefore we must become experts in knowing how to access and evaluate information, rather than experts who hold the information. Alec Couros neatly sums up this changing approach to the role of the educator in the graphics below:

Then!
cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo by courosa: http://flickr.com/photos/courosa/344832659/

Now!
cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo by courosa: http://flickr.com/photos/courosa/2922421696/

Need more convincing?

Here is the evidence from a real-time experiment using my own PLN:

Okso how do I do it?

Work found at http://www.vecteezy.com/nature/4197vector-abstract-tree / http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/ (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/)

To develop an information aggregation PLN you need an RSS reader. e.g.

www.google.com/reader

There are many tools you can use to develop a social network PLN. The focus of this workshop is to provide you with familiarity with Twitter, one of the most commonly used social media pln tools. Building your network: 1. Start small 2. You dont have to tweet at firstyou can just follow 3. Find a few key tweeps then see who they follow A suggested starting point: 2 experts e.g. @joycevalenza and @gwynethjones 2 colleagues e.g. @daniellecart and @ jennyluca 1 academic e.g. @ lyn_hay

What are hashtags? They are essentially keywords that help define a tweet. You can search via hashtag to find lots of tweets about a similar topic. Most conferences not have hashtags also, so you can follow what is being tweeted at the conference. Great hashtags to follow: #tlchat #titletalk #edtech

Find more here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VelhMDERt4RxrX4rsF8aq8N2tmagDme8fLpYMip4M0/edit?hl=en&pli=1

Attending conferences virtually With professional development funding almost non-existent, attending conferences is sadly out of the reach for many TLs. At least with Twitter you can attend virtually and pick up a smattering of the resources being shared and what is being said. You dont have to sit in front of Twitter all day to gather these posts; use Storify (or similar tools) to gather these tweets automatically, then read them at your leisure. From the recent Australian Computers in Education Conference: http://storify.com/KayC28

1. Its easy to create a story; log in using your Twitter account. 2. Hit create story. 3. Select Twitter from the tab on the right hand side, and search for the conference hash tag. Click add all. 4. Leave the tab open and revisit occasionally, adding all. 5. Hit publish to save your story for later reading.

How to stay on top of it all?

1. Devote a regular time to your PLN 10 minutes each day is all you need to stay up to date and to discover a wealth of resources. Need proof? This is what I discovered in 10 minutes on Twitter: Tweet Resource

http://www.library20.com/forum/topics /transparency-is-the-new-black

http://cdn2-www.ec.commonsensemedia.org/ sites/default/files/backtoschoolguide_all.pdf

http://www.edutopia.org/files/existing /pdfs/guides/edutopia-mobile-learning-guide.pdf

http://edudemic.com/2012/09/9-surprising-waysschools-ipads-world/

It can seem overwhelming, so use a tool like HootSuite to keep an eye on everything that is happening on one screen: http://hootsuite.com/

Dont expect to have a fully-fledged PLN overnightit takes time and just like a garden, regular tending.

Want to read more?

Cantwell. (2011, November). Social media and schools as professional learning communities. Retrieved September 26, 2012, from http://www.curriculum.edu.au/leader/social_media_and_schools_as_professional_learni ng,34164.html?issueID=12502

Maiers, A. (2008, December). 26 Keys to Twitter Success. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://www.angelamaiers.com/2008/12/26-keys-to-twitter-success.html

Siemens, G. (2004, December 12). Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. elearnspace. Retrieved September 28, 2012, from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm

Wagner, D. (2012, January.)Personal Learning Networks for Educators: 10 Tips Getting Smart. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://gettingsmart.com/news/personal-learningnetworks-for-educators-10-tips/

Why Educators Should Spend 15 Minutes a Day on Social Media. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2012, from http://www.centerdigitaled.com/training/Why-EducatorsShould-Spend-Time-Daily-on-Social-Media.html