Professional+Learning+Networks

Personal Learning Network: A **personal learning network** is an [|informal learning] network that consists of the people a learner interacts with and derives knowledge from in a [|personal learning environment]. In a PLN, a person makes a connection with another person with the specific intent that some type of learning will occur because of that connection. [|[1]][|[2]] An important part of this concept is the theory of [|connectivism] developed by [|George Siemens] and [|Stephen Downes]. Learners create connections and develop a network that contributes to their professional development and knowledge. [|[3]] The learner does not have to know these people personally or ever meet them in person. [|[2]] @http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_Learning_Network = The increase in technology has had a great affect on Professional Development. One easy way to stay connected with current practice is through Professional Learning Networks (PLNS). Never used PLNs before? No problem! Below are some links to provide information on exactly what PLNs are, why they are useful, and how to effectively use them to continue your professional development! =
 * [|PLN: Your Personal Learning Network Made Easy]
 * ==== Web 2.0 tutotorials on building a PLN ====
 * ==== Personal Learning Networks for Educators: 10 tips ====

Blog post

3 Simple Steps to Do-it-yourself Professional Development
Joyce Valenza's Manifesto "

**//Professional Development and Professionalism//**
● You seek professional development that will help you grow even if it is not offered by your school district. Even if you don’t get PD credit. You can’t “clock” these hours. ● You build your own personal/professional learning network using social networking tool ● You guide your teacher colleagues in setting up their own professional learning networks. ● You read both edtech journals and edtech blogs, not just the print literature of our own profession. ● You follow selected educators,[|experts], authors, etc. with microblogging apps like Twitter ● You use Twitter to mine realtime chat about your professional interests. You use hashtags like #tlchat and #edchat ● You learn by visiting the webcast archives of conferences you cannot attend. (For instance, ISTE ) ● You share your new knowledge with others using social bookmarking tools like Delicious and Diigo. ● You set up feed readers to push the blog of experts and educators you respect to you on a regular basis. ● You join a Ning or other social network for instance: ○ Classroom20NingTeacherLibrarianNing ○ English Companion ○ NCTE Conference Ning ○ ISTE Ning ○ Future of Education

[|What does your PLN look like?] straight-forward suggestions with simple visual (to include some interaction maybe we could ask participants to post an example of their best PD or the most useful tool/person in their PLN?

PLN's explained in detail with many links

The Educator's PLN