A lengthy article, but it does a good job of explaining the theories behind PLNs while also providing case studies of how PLNs benefited teachers. It connects PLNs with connectivism as well.
First exploring today's dynamic educational environment the author creates a connection between online classroom and the network of connections that are made through connectivist learning opportunities. The what and why are then built upon with a look into the six skills one should incorporate when attempting connectivist pedagogy: technical competence, experimentation, autonomy, creation, play and developing a capacity for complexity. The article is then finalized with with some suggestions of tools to incorporate into one's connectivist classroom.
A quick PLN overview that describes many of the aspects of what we do here in this class. The presenter offers many insights on how to be a member of a PLN, and some of the tools that are available to us. I like that he tells me that I can change levels of participation whenever I want, and should feel free to just lurk if preferred.
I love that this video makes it very clear that you don't actually have to know anyone in your PLN. Now that we are so interconnected, the people that we learn from can be totally dispersed throughout the world. This presenter emphasizes that these networks are OURS.
information distribution structures were closed, isolated, and largely omitted the capacity of individuals to create and to innovate. This is similar to corporate business thinking and the way in which Siemens feels we are narrowing our teaching to streamline towards.
Siemens is known for his theory of Connectivism. In his TedTalk, he opens with his frustration in the solutions for today's problems in education. George shares his limited view and connectedness when growing up in Mexico. He later states "our focus in education should be to collapse tot he point of a connection." George is worried about society's views of raising and teaching to the corporate setting, rather than being vital contributors to society, all in a connected way.
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