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This is the government's take on Communities of Practice, and I included it because like it or not, it impacts many of us on so many levels. The National Education Technology Plan asserts that we need PLC's, and if you have never read this document, it is worth the read. It definitely furthered my knowledge when I read it in EDTECH 501. The bottom line is that because so many students have access to mobile technology, they are able to be a part of social networks. The goal is to harness this power and cultivate collaboration and engaging learning experiences. Its premise is student-centered learning where students are able to make decisions and choices that form their own pathway to learning.

Thanks for including this document. I was impressed to see the progressive views outlined with many strong and important points for changing our education culture. One of the main areas included the need to leverage technology to empower students and shift learning responsibility from teacher to learners. In essence we want to strive to create master learners, where students understand how to evaluate and gain the information they need as life-long learners. The section "Measure what Matters" I especially applauded, as I feel our extreme emphasis on testing is misplaced if we don't make sure the tests and measures are appropriate for what students need to know to be life-long learners. Do standardized tests even have a section about locating information and assessing its validity? This report started out with a short list of recommendations that included, "Be clear in outcomes we seek". I think this is an important point as we strive to embrace and utilize the growing potential of connectivness.

Tutorials and simulations

Ideas of well-maintained present-day Revolutionary War sites to view on Google Earth

Teacher Training | News Most Professional Development 'Sporadic, Short Term, and Divorced from Teaching and Student Achievement' Professional development should provide teachers with continuous feedback and opportunities to collaborate and coach each other, according to a new report from the Center for American Progress.

A collection of fantastic Art-focused websites, sponsored by the ASSOCIATION FOR LIBRARY SERVICE TO CHILDREN a division of the American Library Association

This is a simple resource that explains personal learning networks for those being introduced to it.

The first section of this resource is great for someone new to PLNs. It expresses how PLNs provide the tools and resources that allow for an educators continuous growth. I also like that this resource explains that teachers may still have face-to-face PLNs within their district or subject area. However, it is beneficial to have the digital PLN as well to allow for growth that can expand further and can be accessed at all times. In addition, this article emphasizes how it is important to remember the "personal" part of PLNs, you can adapt your PLN to your changing needs.

This is the U.S. Department of Education's 2004 National Education Technology Plan. It is based on input from thousands of students, educators, administrators, technology experts and education organizations. It also builds on the previous reports issued in 1996 and 2000

This Masters program in Educational Technology has course descriptions that rarely include references to their students learning how to use technology.

Learn about creating classroom rules for diverse groups. This two-week online course helps participants learn how Thinkfinity's social network can benefit educators. (one graduate credit) Iron Worker's Hard Hat, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Experience the events of September 11, 2001.

American Association of School Librarians annual list of best websites for teaching and learning. Many Web 2.0 Tools on a list divided by types of tools and aligned to Standards for the 21st-Century Learner

iCivics allows students to explore and learn about American and local government by taking on different civic roles in games.

The rise of smartphones has brought real-time location data into many aspects of Americans' lives. Some mobile services use the smartphone's location to offer directions, targeted recommendations, or other location-specific information to the user. Other services incorporate a location "layer" into other types of functions, while still others exist specifically to share the user's location with friends or the general public.