Thursday, 18 August 2011

Recommendations for building your PLN...where would you start?

I have had requests lately from educators looking to build their e-learning PLN and asking for recommendations on where to start. Rather than respond individually I have shared as a post.
Connected
This may be a bit of a brave new world for some so I have gone for less is more and what I hope provides a range of options (especially for those who may be starting out) to connect quickly through existing professional learning networks and communities.

Please comment if you have other recommendations that may be curriculum or subject specific.
  1. Twitter: there is a very strong group of New Zealand and international educators using Twitter. #edchatNZ - NZ Educators and OZ Educators on Twitter
    Useful tips for getting started on Twitter:
    Twitteraholics guide to tweets, hashtags and all things twitter
    The Ultimate Twitter Guidebook
    Using Twitter to build your PLN
    2. The Ultimate Guide to using Twitter in Education
  2.  Tweeting for Teachers: A new report published jointly by Pearson and NoTosh recommends that teachers should use Twitter, Facebook and other social media tools to improve their classroom skills.
  3. EduCampNZ Wiki: a series of e-learning un-conferences that provide a valuable opportunity to connect with like minded educators interested in e-learning and education. Explore the wiki to connect with other participating educators at each of the EduCampNZ events. 

  4. EdBlogNZ  has an online directory of blogs written by teachers and other professionals in New Zealand’s education space.  Use blog comments to connect with others who share your interests. 

  5. Online Groups and Communities:
  • Google Educator Group GEGs are independently run communities of educators who inspire and empower each other to meet the needs of our learners through technology, both in the classroom and beyond. 
  • The Virtual Learning Network (VLN):  A range of professional learning groups from early childhood through to tertiary.
  • Google Apps in NZ Schools Group:New Zealand schools keep you up to date with the latest news and technology available for Google Apps for Education
  • MLE Reference Group: Discuss the software and digital content that support learning in New Zealand schools. 
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8 comments:

  1. Anonymous18 August 2011 at 18:47

    Can't recommend Twitter enough! Has done marvels for the expansion of my PLN into the international domain where it had in the past been limited to Aus!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Stephanie18 August 2011 at 18:58

    Twitter FTW! Love twitter, it changed my life.

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  3. teachernz18 August 2011 at 20:09

    twitter... educamps and openmeets ... and don't forget Friday drinks with teachers from other schools around you.



    did I mention Twitter? ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Miss K18 August 2011 at 20:11

    Loving being able to leave an unmoderated comment on this unmoderated blog.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dorothy18 August 2011 at 20:14

    Twitter definitely and @teachernz is so right about the Friday (Thursday) drinks. Must say that Google+ is fast becoming place of preference because of the ability to form circles and share information in a wee bit more than 140 characters.

    However, it is not just the place, it is also the viewing experience. So I must say that Flipboard on my iPad has become my number one place to start. Sit back in a bean bag, in front of a heater/fire, and flip through all the RSS feeds; twitter, blogs, websites, TED talks etc and you don't need to look any further really...

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  6. Tara TJ18 August 2011 at 20:17

    I think that you should change the title of your blog to "My UN-moderated Blog"

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tim18 August 2011 at 21:57

    My comment is not a reflection of your unmoderation, but to say I think it's the personal bit of a PLC/PLN that makes the diff.

    Places like g+ hangout are suitably revealing and occasionally embarrasing, but putting a name to faces is important.

    You can share ideas, thoughts, arguments and all that - but you still need to get a little personal every now and again.

    A good apron is also important. :)

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  8. Fiona Grant18 August 2011 at 22:29

    Thanks for your comments, yes today I removed the moderation from my blog comments after five years. Think it may have been in response to writing this post and thinking about all the amazing, knowledgeable and sharing people I connect and learn with online...

    Dorothy and Tim...I would have to agree with you re G+ I like the flexibility of connecting in different ways for different purposes i.e. hangouts and the way you describe circles Dorothy. I wonder if the G+ experience may be different for someone who is just starting. Does the serendipitous-nous of Twitter provide faster pathways for connecting? I might need to think on that a bit more.

    I am fairly confident that these tools won't replace the fun of the post work catch up at a local watering hole but are they changing how we connect F2F in similar ways they are changing how we learn?

    My first G+ hangout tonight with Miss K and TaraTJ collaborating on our next workshop. Tim joined us and we were able to pitch our plan for peer review...I'm liking that!

    ReplyDelete

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