PROFESSIONAL

LEARNING

NETWORKSJ E N N I F E R L . S C H E F F E R

P I N K E R T O N A C A D E M Y

OUTLINE

1. What is a PLN ?

2. Why PLNs in Education ?

3. Benefits of PLNs in Education

4. How can Teachers Use PLNs ?

5. Ways to Build your PLNs

6. How your PLN can impact your students

7. Ways I Personally Use PLNs

8. Some Platforms to Start your PLNs

9. PLNs Video Tutorialshttp://vimeo.com/10398759

TYPICAL TEACHER NETWORK:

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY:

Collaboration among your peers at PA

THE 21ST CENTURY NETWORKED TEACHER:

Collaboration among your

peers throughout the

World

A network of interrelated connections you make for the purposes of:

What is a PLN?

Professional

Development

Collaboration

Sharing Resources & Ideas

Discussion

Discove

ry

PLN Connecti

ons

Connections are made with like-minded

people from all around the world.

Created based on individual learning

needs; DIY Professional Development

Web technologies and platforms

help build, maintain, and

grow these connections

Why PLN’s in Education?

Especially at PA:• Size of school• Pace of day• Other obligations

BENEFITS OF PLN’S Free and easy to set up Mobile for anytime, anywhere access Instant communication Improve web searching Access to a wide range of resources Enable connections to industry experts Contribute to professional growth &

staying current Inspire, motivate, and give confidence Promote life long learning

YOU set your own agenda!

PLN’S CONTRIBUTE TO ICE3

I

• Imagination• Innovation• Inquiry

C

• Collaboration• Creativity• Curiosity

E

• Exploration• Experimentation• Entrepreneurship

WAYS TO BEGIN BUILDING YOUR PLN

Subscribe

Follow

Register Join

LISTEN Watch

Information comes to you!No more Google!

MY CURRENT PLN:

It all started with a Tweet!

Allows you connect with other educators

who teach the same discipline!

WHERE DO I START?

Do you want to jump right in,

My recommendations:

1. Start with Twitter

2. Start small

3. Start reading educator blogs OR

4. Start viewing educator videos OR

5. Start listening to educator podcasts OR

6. Do all of the above!

What’s YOUR learning style?

ORJust dip your toe in the water…

References & Suggested Reading/Viewing/Listening:

http://educationinnovation.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/06/leveraging-the-networked-teacher-the-professional-networked-learning-collaborative.html

http://www.21stcenturycollaborative.com/the-connected-educator/

http://shellyterrell.com/2010/05/09/16-resources-about-personal-learning-networks-plns/