The ABC’s of PLN’sPresented By: Marti Sides, M.Ed., M.T.T.

What is a PLN?

• The P stands for 1 of many things:– Personal– Professional– Passionate!

• Learning• Network• A PLN is customized to the learner.• Learn what you want to, when you want

to.

Why Should You Have a PLN?

• To learn• To share your ideas• To gather ideas when needed• Just in time learning• To collaborate with others from around

the world• To become a better teacher• To become a better person• Your students deserve it

Why Should You Have a PLN?

• Because you don’t want to be the teacher with the laminated lesson plans!

Twitter Question #1

• Why do you use twitter? #esc17pln

Twitter

• Twitter – Microblogging service– “Tweets” limited to 140 characters– Educators share resources through

shortened links– Instantaneous help when needed– Encouragement and support– Join conversations such as

#edchat

Twitter

• Twitter – Education leaders to follow:– @ShellTerrell– @tomwhitby– @NMHS_Principal– @web20classroom– @cybraryman1– @principalspage– @SimpleK12– @EdTechSandyK– @techmunoz– @Krista_Scott– @kunami10

Twitter Question #2

• What is your favorite educational blog? #esc17pln

Blogs

• Web + Log = Blog• Online Diary or Journal Entries

– Share reflections– Share resources– Share video

• Others can leave comments– Share other viewpoints– Share other resources

• Blog Services– Edublogs– Blogger– WordPress

Blogs – Google Reader

• You will need a Google account• RSS feed (Really Simple Syndication)• Automatically keeps track of blog updates

for you when you subscribe to a blog.• When you log in to Google Reader, you will

see all of the new blog posts that you have subscribed to.

• Starred Items• Categories• iGoogle or GReaderApp for iPhone

Blogs to Read

• Teacher Reboot Camp by Shelly Terrell• The Pursuit of Technology Integration Happiness

by Michael Zimmer• Moving at the Speed of Creativity by Wesley Fryer• Web 2.0 Connected Classroom by Steven

Anderson• The Whiteboard Blog • Langwitches Blog• Teach Paperless • Krista’s Tech Tidbits by Krista Scott• From the Sides-Lines by Marti Sides

Twitter Question #3

• What are the benefits of Nings? #esc17pln

Nings

• Groups of people gathered for a common purpose.

• Create an account• Gives you access to your own “page.” • Can join groups within the Ning that

share common interests or goals.• Can access blogs, videos, and other

resources. • Can make “friends.”

Nings to Join

• The Educator’s PLN – www.edupln.ning.com

• ISTE Community – www.iste-community.org

• EdTech Book Club – www.edtechbookclub.ning.com(has corresponding wiki at www.edtechbookclub.wikispaces.org)

Twitter Question #4

• Do you prefer Delicious or Diigo? #esc17pln

Delicious and Diigo

• Social bookmarking services• Bookmark specific URL’s • Add personal notes about the URL• Categorize the links you bookmark• Join networks of “friends” with the same

interests so you can view their bookmarks.

Twitter Question #5

• What advice do you have for those new to PLNs? #esc17pln

Wikis

• Means “quick” in Hawaiian• “What I know is…”• Some wikis are free, some are paid services.• Wikis allow anyone to make changes to

pages. • Great for collaborative work/learning.• Wiki Sites:

– Wikispaces– PB Wiki– WetPaint

Google News

• Add customized categories from Google News to your iGoogle page.

• Allows you collect news from your areas of interest.

• No more sorting through news stories!

Got Questions?

• Contact Me:

Marti Sides– Email: msides@frenship.us– Twitter: @kunami10– Blog: www.marsid.edublogs.org