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Stache makes it quick and easy to collect and re-discover pages you find useful, interesting or inspiring, in a beautiful, visual and fully searchable library.

Talks about what a PLN is and why it's important to grow the connections that used to only exist between coworkers, friends, and family. Also has a table to show the variety of tools that one can use to expand their PLN.

"PLN's have immense value" was supported in-depth in this great resource. What a great find Jasmine! The chart discussing all the tools we can use to develop our own PLN's can be so crucial to educators who may be unsure about where to begin. The networking world can be overwhelming!

This blog entry streamlines the process for getting started with a PLN. It provides a directory of web 2.0 to help build a dynamic PLN. Links are provided. The video "The Networked Student" by Design Inspired by commoncraft is embedded; it highlights the benefits of being a networked student.

This is a more technical site that better describes CoPs.  It talks about what a CoP is and what the requirements are.  I particularly like that the it states that the learning is not necessarily the primary reason for the existence of a CoP.  It also gives some sources for further study.

This article is an outline of Communities of Practice with description of relevant terminology outlined and defined. Identifies the three components of CoPs - domain, community and practice. This article says that the central component of this learning theory is to draw participants deeper into the community through the attractiveness of developing skills relative to the domain.

This one I didn't summarize, only because I really had a hard time grasping the three elements of the CoP, and I thought this site encapsulated it nicely. Incidentally, my creative assignment for this week was inspired by the reference to Star Trek fans in this post. Here are the three elements make up CoP, and again, this information below is taken straight from the source (long quotes), because the definition is so good: 1. There needs to be a domain. A CoP has an identity defined by a shared domain of interest (e.g. radiologists, Star Trek fans, middle school history teachers, Seahawks football fans, etc.); it's not just a network of people or club of friends. Membership implies a commitment to the domain. 2. There needs to be a community. A necessary component is that members of a specific domain interact and engage in shared activities, help each other, and share information with each other. They build relationships that enable them to learn from each other. In this way, merely sharing the same job does not necessitate a CoP. A static website on hunting in itself is not a community of practice. There needs to be people who interact and learn together in order for a CoP to be formed. Note that members do not necessarily work together daily, however. Wenger points to the example of Impressionist painters who sometimes met in cafes to discuss their painting styles. He indicates that even though these men normally painted alone, these kinds of interactions were essential to making them a CoP. 3. There needs to be a practice: A CoP is not just people who have an interest in something (e.g. sports or agriculture practices). The third requirement for a CoP is that the members are practitioners. They develop a shared repertoire of resources which can include stories, helpful tools, experiences, stories, ways of handling typical problems, etc. This kind of interaction needs to be developed over time. A conversation with a random stranger who happens to be an exp

DocsTeach is a product of the National Archives education division. Our mission is to engage, educate, and inspire all learners to discover and explore the records of the American people preserved by the National Archives. The National Archives and Records Administration is the nation's record keeper.

These user-friendly tools will keep you and your class inspired, inventive, and organized.

Connectivism vimeo that seems to sum up connectivism into it's major points and areas of application as they pertain to education. Seems to be an excellent culmination... putting a cherry on top if you will of my Connectivism materials search.

Inspiring and awesome. I have been in a classroom for 16 years and feel such new energy in this connected world. Bringing it to my day to day teaching is challenging, but I am trying. With learning becoming 'personal' as it says, where do things that are deemed universally needed (language use, basic math skills) fit into the puzzle? Bigger question- is there any need for a Biology teacher (that's me)? I suppose there is, just not for every student. Exciting to think of how a class of passionate Biology learners would run.

This tool works with iOS devices and allows the user to track activity, food and sleep.

I thought some of you might find this blog post interesting as it explores how Hatfield has "disrupted" education as we know it ... all because of his approach to learning. In her view he has taught the author seven important concepts, such as the authentic use of social media, the importance of self-directed learning, and the need for curiosity to advance learning. He inspired her because she made him part of her PLN.

This is a very interesting article! Thanks for sharing! I didn't see this one in my own search, as it seems I found the same ones as most everyone else! :)

This software allows students another opportunity, beyond Excel, to investigate, analyze, and represent data and information in dynamic graphs and charts. It fosters critical thinking, analytic skills, and data literacy.

In Dominique Chargois's Spanish III classes, students interact with native Spanish speakers on Livemocha, a social network for learners of foreign languages. Chargois has used Livemocha Active Spanish as a supplemental learning tool in all of her Spanish III sections in order to engage students and inspire them to learn ad so they could work at their own pace. It also helps expand students' horizons by 'chatting' with individuals who live outside the U.S.

Since I'm taking portfolio this fall, I thought I'd share my portfolio site.

This is great Angela! Wonderful set-up and site organization. You are inspiring me for my portfolio this spring! Thanks for sharing.

Explain Everything is a unique interactive screencasting whiteboard app being used by over 2 million students, teachers, leaders, and learners around the world. Engage and get inspired. Watch other people's explanations, videos, and projects made in Explain Everything.

A combination of PLN and connectivism that shows why we need this more than ever in education.

This is great. I really like the video format and how Johnson brought all of his ideas together and is really talking about connectivism. He never said the word, but he's talking about connectivity and innovation. He's talking about PLNs and CoPs. The video was very helpful

There is an office space in Fayetteville that I feel is built around this premise. The space is set up to facilitate connections and foster innovation. http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2012/01/24/the-iceberg-the-stage-is-set/

This post explains how educators are becoming more sophisticated in their social media use which is leading to more shared information outside of the traditional conference or classroom.

This was an interesting read. I also find that many conferences are hard to attend due to funding. I like how many educational professionals are finding ways to connect using their PLNs through Twitter to participate in edchats. Social media has made the ability to connect with others in your field so much easier and cheaper. It also demonstrates the point how learning and professional development are becoming more self-directed to meet each educator's needs. Thanks for sharing!

At my district professional development day this August, there was a session title Twitter for Teachers. While my district is not prepared to get rid of traditional PD, they can see the value in PLNs that allow for continuous professional growth. I think this article provides a great explanation of the transition from traditional PD and conferences to a digital world. The author also notes, however, that personalized learning could lead to "one-sided" information. I think that is why it may be important for districts to educate their teachers on PLNs to hopefully start them in the right direction.

I might be breaking the mold here, but I love this program. This is a great program that is open sourced and is better then Inspiration. Tufts University has developed this to help educators better organize visual learning. I beleive that visula learning is just one way to teach to the three types of learning.

Great for kids and adults to get inspiration from.