Skip to main content

Home/ EDTECH at Boise State University/ Group items tagged resources

Rss Feed Group items tagged

Shobhana G

Resources for edtech 541 - 39 views

My two resources for this final week of EDTECH 541 are Internet Evaluation Forms: WWW CyberGuide Ratings for Content Evaluation : A guide for rating the curriculum content on web sites. http://...

quiz nutrition teaching tools

camille_rrt

What is a PLN? Why Do I Need One? | TeachHUB - 26 views

  • own personalized “network” of fellow educators and resources who are designed to make them a better teacher.
  • these traditional areas of professional development are often set up and operated by someone
  • An educator is not merely absorbing information from others: they are sharing.
  •  
    Not only does this resource provide a solid description of what a PLN is, it also answers the important "why do I need one" question. It was particularly helpful to get an idea of how social media is essential to a strong PLN.
  • ...23 more comments...
  •  
    This article listed many social media sources to start your PLN. The biggest takes away that I got from this article are the two benefits of a PLN over a traditional personal development. The first one is that a PLN allows an educator to completely personalize their training. They can pick what to focus on. The second is that they can adapt the learning environment to meed the educator's needs. Once they have enough information, they can start learning and sharing about a new topic that they wish.
  •  
    Describes a PLN, why we have PLN's, and the benefits of being a member of a PLN. This article talks about how PLN's allow educators to develop their skills beyond the more traditional methods and allows them to develop their abilities as an educator.
  •  
    With more and more opportunities to develop one's skills beyond what traditional routes have provided, establishing your own PLN is an essential step toward deepening your abilities as an educator.
  •  
    Very straightforward resource. From a teacher's standpoint, this resource is very beneficial. It demonstrates how teachers can enhance their skills away from old school (traditional) teaching pedagody and move into connectivist strategies to truly become educators in the 21st Century.
  •  
    A PLN can be online or face to face connections but the virtual opportunities do not require your physical presence like attending a conference, a live master's degree program, etc. There are 2 distinct advantages to being online: 1. it's completely personalized to what each person is seeking 2. It can easily be modified based on changes in needs. Social media sources like Facebook, Twitter, and Wordpress blogs can be customized so that teachers can follow one-other and share the latest tools and information.
  •  
    This discusses what a PLN is and how it can help you grow professionally. It also talks about the benefits of a PLN and how you can personalize things.
  •  
    This is a great resource on the explanation of PLNs, why they are important, and how they can improve your work and learning environments. It has a solid definition and is key to understanding PLNs in a short read.
  •  
    This article describes what a PLN is and how it relates to one's real world and social networking communities. It discusses why having a PLN is important to an educator today. In the past you need to be physically present to get your desired information and at times that was not even possible. Today a teacher can determine what training is necessary and find this information through their PLN network. The article explains how a PLN not only allows you to learn but also encourages you to share your knowledge with others.
  •  
    Nice, simple article that explains what a PLN is. Thanks for sharing it. It can certainly help fill in any knowledge gaps for someone new to PLNs.
  •  
    I liked the resource for the question "Why do I need one?" and the answers that followed. Teachers can connect themselves to resources from many different aspects of the world and teachers and sites they may not have otherwise found. It is no longer just "absorbing information" but sharing and creating new connections and ways to use the information. Honestly, after all this research, the new question is "Why don't I already have a PLN?"
  •  
    This article defines what a PLN is and the necessity for educators to develop one. It describes the difference between developing a PLN and being "connected." It argues that PLNs allow educators to individualize professional development. With the emergence of technology in education, I see this as a necessary tool for the 21st century educator.
  •  
    This article describes the need for teachers to be a part of PLNs. The author talks about the importance of making connections to other teachers and countless resources to make yourself a better teacher.
  •  
    This article describes the benefits of developing your own personal learning network. The author touches on the traditional learning networks of the past and their limitations and examines the benefits of the tech driven network.
  •  
    In the education world, PLN stands for Personal Learning Network. What it means is that an individual has developed their own personalized "network" of fellow educators and resources who are designed to make them a better teacher. This network exists both in their real-life relationships and online through their social media connections.
  •  
    This article describes a PNL but also discusses the benefits of developing a PNL. By sharing within your PNL members will not only gain new knowledge, resources, and ideas, but will also develop relationships with people across the globe!
  •  
    A PLN is not PD. A PLN has (at least) 2 additional benefits: you study and research topics applicable to you, decided by you; you can form a symbiotic relationship where everyone is sharing information
  •  
    Catapano explains what a PLN is and why people should have one. A PLN stands for Personal Learning Network. Basically, it is a group of individuals who are fellow educators who work together both real-life and online to make themselves a better teacher. PLN are mainly through social media sources like Twitter, Facebook, or blogs. Teachers can share their resources across the world with their latest research, experiences, or discoveries. Teachers get to take control of their own professional development.
  •  
    I always like to find resources that cut right to the chase and explain exactly what the topic is. This article does that with professional learning networks. This article can be presented to anyone who asks "what IS a PLN anyway". The article relates the evolution of PLNs to include social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, ect. Themes of connectivism and communities of practice are found throughout the article as the writer explains that the true benefits is that PLNs are based off teacher's interests and passions rather than the usual top down professional development experience so many teacher experience. It drives home the point that successful PLNs revolve around the sharing of experiences and resources rather just viewing and consuming.
  •  
    @teachingjake503, PLNs have become so valuable to me, especially when I was a first year teacher. Having support from people outside of the establishment was extremely helpful. I think people often buy into them more because of the choice they have. They can choose to include only those they feel provide value, are positive, and can offer support.
  •  
    What is a PLN? Why Do I Need One? This article provides a simple and easy to understand definition of a Personal Learning Network and how it can be used by teachers to help them become a better teachers and can be used to help educations personalize their training. The article focuses on the use of social media as the primary resource for PLNs. http://www.teachhub.com/what-pln-why-do-i-need-one
  •  
    The following article discusses why educators need a PLN. These networks are design to make you a better teacher. The personal learning networks are exactly that "personalized." Most professional development is designed by others, but your PLN is created and designed by YOU.
  •  
    Written by Jordan Catapano who simplifies what a PLN is and explains why one might need it. He explains that a PLN is usually designed by educators networking with fellow educators to make them better teachers. This article goes through the theories and benefits of a PLN and what they intel or include.
  •  
    "Why do I need one". This article discusses why a teacher should use PLN's and more importantly, create their own PLN. This was a nice read for me to put PLN's in perspective.
  •  
    A great article that offers many valid and important reasons that an instructor should join PLNs.
  •  
    This article supports why we all need to join PLN! Great read!
camille_rrt

Education-2020 - Connectivism - 19 views

  •  
    SUMMARY: This page found on the Education 2020 Wiki details Connectivism theory and provides resources that help clarify the unique components of this theory compared to others. I found myself exploring the site more deeply and I appreciated the vast amounts of resources and clarifications available on this wiki. Feel free to get lost in it too!
  • ...27 more comments...
  •  
    Nice resource in that it includes an overview of the concept along with videos and slideshares.
  •  
    I love how this website breaks down connectivism with so many sources, examples, and videos.
  •  
    This wiki entry describes connectivism "a learning theory for a digital age" and links to resources created by George Siemens and Stephen Downes, promoters of this theory. It summarizes Siemen's Principles of Connectivism. Siemens suggests that learning is no longer individualistic. Rather, knowledge is distributed across networks and in a digital society the connections and connectiveness within these networks lead to learning.
  •  
    This is a great resource because it helps learners visually "witness" Connectivism in action with the "Networked Student" video.
  •  
    This Wiki Space from by Education 2020 is a great resource for all things education and learning, but includes some valuable resources regarding connectivism. The site is maintained by EduCitizenship 2020, which is an international consulting group that focuses on Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and how they are changing traditional physical communities and creating more global and social networks.
  •  
    This article has several videos explaining what connectivism is and the relationship to personal learning. The author also includes a reminder that learning isn't done by an individual in isolation but through networked connections.
  •  
    This aritcle explains connectivism as learning within a network. Today, much if not most of our learning takes place on the internet, it states that learners recognize patterns, changes, chaos on the internet and a lot of that is out of their control. The article talks about how people are continually striving to learn more and do not focus on what they currently know.
  •  
    This site discusses Connectivism and the work of Stephen Downes and George Siemens. Connectivism is described as a "learning theory for a digital age" and looks at learning as a process that occurs through connections within networks. The site also provides a couple YouTube videos and presentations from Downes and Siemens.
  •  
    The page about connectivism on the Education 202 site thoroughly and plainly explains connectivism through text. It also includes videos (one with George Siemens in the flesh!) and presentations that help to further explain the theory and how it can be applicable to teaching and learning. This site beyond the connectivism page explains other learning theories, such as constructivism and project based learning. There are even lesson examples as well as many other excellent resources to help both learners and teachers.
  •  
    This article gives an overview of Connectivism. In our digital society, the connections and connectiveness within networks lead to learning. The article lists Siemem's principles of connectivism. This resource also includes a fifteen minute video of Siemen on Coonectivism: Socializing Open Learning, a five minute video on the Networked Student, a Slideshare on the elements of Connectivism, and a Slideshare on Connectivism and Personal Learning.
  •  
    Explains Connectivism and Siemen's Principles of Connectivism. Includes a great video of George Siemens discussing Connectivism and Socializing Open Learning. Also a very helpful video depicting a student and teacher's role in a Connectivist environment and a Slideshare describing the elements of Connectivism.
  •  
    This was a really clear article. One of the things that I became aware of is how all of these learning theories we're studying are interconnected. Connectivism has much in common with social learning, which is a constructivist concept. It seems that like a lot of things, the best approach is the "cafeteria approach;" a little constructivism, a little connectivism, a little behavioralism, etc.
  •  
    Downes & Siemens are the primary promoters of connectivism and say learning rests in the diversity of options, is a process of connecting specialized nodes, and may reside in non-human appliances. They believe that the capacity to know is more important than what is currently known and that nurturing relationships is needed to facilitate continuing education. They say the ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts is a core skill. Up to date knowledge is the goal of all learning activities in this model and decision making is in itself a learning process.
  •  
    This wikispace provides a definition of what connectivism is and lists Siemen's Principles of connectivism. Sieman explains that connectivism is no longer an individual action but instead is dispersed among networks. Included in this site is various presentations to help you understand the networked student and connectivism.
  •  
    The break down on the networked students was a an eye opener. It simplifies what the students needs to do and how the teacher is important to facilitate the learning. Also the Youtube video by George Siemens- Connectivism: Socializing Open Learning was full of great points on why social network learning is important and how students can benefit more from socializing their learning rather regular structured learning.
  •  
    This wiki is a great summary of Connectivism and its principles. It explains the core ideas of Connectivism and its emphasis on network learning and continual learning. In particular, this wiki includes several informative videos from George Siemens, one of the founders of Connectivism, as well as links to Siemens and Downes's blogs. The straightforward explanations simplify Connectivism's principles and explain the importance of connection and connectedness given the current (and growing) impact of technology on learning.
  •  
    This is a wikispace dedicated the theory of Connectivism. A lengthy description followed by video and links are included. In this wikispace, connectivism is described as a group activity that is in a constant state of change. As new information is acquired by the group, old information may be altered or abandoned. It is connecting and educating in the digital age. "Whereas in the past learning was competitive, coercive and paternalistic, the new ethic of learning is collaborative, global and universal."
  •  
    This is a great resource Joanna! I really like the video of the "Networked Student" showing a great example of what connectivism could look like. I also like the list of bullets of what Siemen's Principles of Connectivism are.
  •  
    This page discusses the foundations of connectivitism and gives us a video and two slideshows of information. The principles of connectivism are outlined, and we understand how learning must be connected instead of an individual activity.
  •  
    The authors of this article explain what connectivism is and why it is so unique. Connectivism is "a learning theory promoted by Stephen Downes and George Siemens." Learning takes place through connections within networks. The information found is new, updated, and rapidly altering. The author shares Siemen's principles of connectivism, including that learning is a process of connections. Connections between fields, ideas, and concepts. Connections to facilitate learning, connections with decision-making, and maintaining and nurturing connections. Learning is the connections and connectiveness within networks.
  •  
    I found this site to be especially valuable with a wealth of information. Links to the slides and videos were an added plus.
  •  
    This article provides a detailed explanation of what Connectivism is and why it's currently relevant to learning. The article provides Siemen's Principles of Connectivism and provides supporting videos to further explain Connectivism.
  •  
    This wiki gives a short introduction to connectivism, including George Siemens 8 principles. There are 2 videos on the page concerning socializing open learning and networked students. In addition, there are 2 Stephen Downes slide presentations on the elements of connectivism and personal learning. There are also many links to other related websites. Socializing open learning, presented by George Siemens, shows that in this model, teachers are "arbiters of connection." Though he acknowledges that in stable bodies of knowledge, courses can be a part of education, he questions the validity of a "course" as the best way to foster connections. He calls grading tests, "sorting," rather than true evaluation. We've been having many conversations in my school setting about grades, so this interested me. He wants fluid, variable and contextual learning for students.
  •  
    This is a wikispace which discusses connectivism, a learning theory developed by Downes and Siemens. The author provides 7 principles of connectivism that help direct us to the idea that learning is no longer an individualistic activity. This site also provides two videos to further explain the theory of connectivism.
  •  
    General information about the theory of Connectivism, such as what it is and why it is so unique. Promoted by Stephen Downes and George Siemens, Connectivism allows learners to distribute knowledge across networks. Siemens theorizes that learning is now longer an individualistic activity and with the advent of digital resources, learners need to explore the informational chaos, network, and and self-organize. Siemens and Downes have experimented with Open Courses and both stress the importance of more open education. http://education-2020.wikispaces.com/Connectivism
  •  
    Learning takes place over networks, our learning stems from being connected. A good resource on Connectivism Theory. Has videos, slideshows, links, and other content on Connectivism.
  •  
    This was my starting point for research on Connectivism. This is a short read introducing the topic and its creator. Learning takes place when connections are made.
  •  
    This is a neat little article on connectivism. The best part is that it has a video contained within it by George Siemens that really helps you understand what this idea is getting at.
  •  
    Connectivism is learning for the digital age. This article does a great job at explaining the principles of connectivism."Learning is a process that occurs within nebulous environments of shifting core elements - not entirely under the control of the individual."
Heather Berlin

Personal Learning Networks - 8 views

  •  
    This is a link to a Pinterest Board regarding Personal Learning Networks by Eric Sheninger, I found the information very helpful and fun. I love looking at pictures to understand concepts! EDTECH543 Personal Learning Network
  • ...5 more comments...
  •  
    Hi Jennifer, I never thought to look at Pinterest for anything like this but after seeing this resource I'll definitely keep it in mind! Great find, Pinterest is such as easy way to compile and share information and resources and this one has a lot of good links!
  •  
    Nice find Jennifer! I'm so much more into browsing a Pinterest page for resources. This delivery method is giving me ideas for my next Teaching Online course I will facilitate at Pierce. It's funny how first impressions of a newer app makes some thing that it wouldn't be useful in a learning environment. But Pinterest is just an easy way to curate any kind of information.
  •  
    So many resources, so little time... Its great to have so many of these resources in one place. The images definitely help determine which resource to investigate first.
  •  
    This is a nice resource! Never would have guessed 5 years ago that I would be looking at Pinterest as a resource for a class. As you mentioned, it's nice to view pictures to help process and understand a concept, much like the project we completed to tie all of these topics together. Thanks for the post!
  •  
    I signed up for Pinterest last year but rarely touched it once the school year started. This was a great reminder of it's usefulness and incredible depth of resources that are out there. Thanks for the reminder.
  •  
    This is a Pinterest source used for PLNs that offers numerous resources for educators and personal learning networks.
  •  
    I have yet to get into Pinterest, feel it might be a black hole for me. These are some great PLN pins. The images alone give you a good idea of ways you can build your PLE.
Ross Craycraft

23 Resources about Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) - 3 views

  •  
    Discusses rethinking the way we teach and refers to PLN's as "Passionate Learning Networks". Provides several links to research about PLN's as well as videos and presentations on explanations of PLN's along with steps on how to create successful PLN's
  • ...3 more comments...
  •  
    This is a wonderful list of videos and links assembled by Shelly Terrel that provide a broad spectrum of perspectives on PLNs. Thank you for bringing this list to our attention because it is a nice, somewhat concise, conglomeration of PLN informative resources.
  •  
    I appreciate the author's comment about PLNs making her a better educator is especially important because education is ultimately about the children (or all learners). I will certainly be studied the resources more closely as we continue to learn about PLNs. #EdTechSN
  •  
    Great resources for yet another concept/term that is new to me - PLNs
  •  
    Agreed, great resource and a humorous title to "boot".
  •  
    This is a resource link to many more resources. In this blog entry by Shelly Terrell on Teacher Reboot Camp, she provides links to 23 resources on personal learning networks. This site provides a wealth of knowledge and resources for those wanting learn more about PLN.
klauritsen

7 Things You Should Know about Personal Learning Environments - 1 views

  •  
    What an excellent resource! 7 important things to know about PLE's? Why yes! This resource breaks down what they are, who started them/researched them, why they are significant, what is their future, their downfalls and their importance in education. This resource concisely explains PLE's and what educators need to know about them. The takeaway from this resource is that PLE's cause more reflection and deeper understanding, as well as develops student's information fluency to analyze the information presented on the internet.
Cate Tolnai

Professional Development and Communities of Practice - 4 views

  •  
    SUMMARY: This resource is geared towards school and district leaders to better understand the necessity of CoPs for not only their teachers but also themselves. It provides simple strategies to infuse educational environments with rich resources that lead to growing PLCs and CoPs.
  • ...2 more comments...
  •  
    What a great resource for district leaders! The bullet points under "districts can" are clear and non-intimidating, the kind of statements superintendents should be able to make to their technology departments to make it happen. The action steps are very helpful, and provide concrete guidance on how to bring in technology to support professional learning in the district.
  •  
    I like how this resource states"WHY" we need to support Professional Devlopment and CoP's and provides action steps for superintendents. A very valuable resource for school boards and upper management.
  •  
    Thanks for sharing this Cate. I follow CoSN and am usually up on their stuff, but I had not seen this resource. I love the fact that it includes action steps for superintendents. Too often that level of leadership is left out, then people wonder why change is not really taking place.
  •  
    This provides district administrators with concrete steps for building communities of practice that can help educators develop technical abilities. Suggestions include finding pockets of excellence and working with and benchmarking from other school districts.
Cassie Davenport

The End of Isolation - 11 views

  •  
    The study in the paper was interesting as it looked at K-12 educators and their use of Twitter to research, relate and form PLNs. Twitter and other social medias have allowed teachers to form networks that are specific to their needs and wants in terms of their own professional growth. In the "End of Isolation" the researchers findings touched on the fact that "over 82% of the time, the educators in this study chose to follow other educators or content experts related to their field of teaching so they were able to create a personal learning network meaningful to their professional needs." Now I just need to work with teachers at my school site to help them realize the individualized professional potential!
  • ...5 more comments...
  •  
    Cassie- This is a really neat resource in which actual data has been accumulated and presented for teachers and their use of a social networking website. It was interesting to look at the numbers behind the ten educators that they chose and see them present some other general findings. I think the "Benefits" section towards the end of the article hits the goals of any social network precisely: 1) Access to Resources, 2)Supportive Relationships, 3)Increased Leadership Capacity, and 4)Development of a Professional Vision. IF you get into these tools to become a better educator, then I feel those are four visions that you set out to fill by utilizing the networking/technology.
  •  
    This is a great resource to use to support the research behind using Twitter as an educator. I think the title of the article says it all. As the only social studies on my campus, I have learned to reach out to other teachers using social media. The end of the article brings up some interesting points regarding professional development and Twitter. Research says that teachers need more than just a "one stop shop" when it comes to any professional development, and that they need time to reflect, question, and practice. I would argue that Twitter allows for exactly that. Having a community of teachers to come back to in order to reflect on a teaching experience and/or ask for support provides a safe place to do just that.
  •  
    Cassie, this was a very interesting research article that presented actual statistics and information on how teachers utilize social media, specifically Twitter. It was very informative and discussed the uses of twitter beyond just being a social outlet.
  •  
    This was indeed an interesting research project. It was nice to see that there were so many collaborations that were spawned through Twitter connections. Most of the teachers said they were able to exchange information or resources at a professional level, but I was surprised by how many continued the conversation at a social level also.
  •  
    I feel like this resource has a lot of valuable information. I am very interested in learning to use Twitter as a form of PLN using Twitter and this resource seems to show the value in that. In addition, I liked the research study approach to this article.
  •  
    This study underscored the benefits of Twitter for the educational community. The article shared the advantages to new teachers in particular, where one participant stated it changed her vision and practice in the classroom. Very powerful!
  •  
    Of all the resources I have read thus far on PLNs, this particular article forced me to think deeper and reconsider my interpretation of this concept. First of all, I found that the article provided a picture of the quality of interaction that can occur within Twitter. The data collected by researchers provides an in depth look at Twitter as a PLN - a feat that few other resources I have read have accomplished. By detailing the amount, quality, and type of interactions and connections, a tangible conception of a PLN emerges, even for someone who has little to no experience with Twitter. Of the 10 surveyed, a majority of their connections and tweets were professionally related. According to Nussbaum-Beach (video I posted), the difference between a PLN and a CoP is the familiarity of the people and the connection to an idea or problem. However, this study provides a different perception of a PLN that is largely professionally based with strong two-way connections. These conclusions made me wonder if it is possible for facets of a PLN on Twitter to transform into a CoP. Further, at what point can one argue that a PLN has successfully transform into a virtual CoP? Thanks for sharing. This was an excellent read!
Jessica Gake

Great Resource: Free Technology for Teachers - 7 views

  •  
    Lots of resources for teaching and the price is right. It won best blog and resource sharing site in 2009 from Edublog.
  • ...3 more comments...
  •  
    This is one of my favorite resources. I find that it usually has a great deal of information that can be used in the classroom.
  •  
    This blog is a GAME CHANGER! Rickard Byrne sends you to the best, most relevant resources and does a lot of the searching for me. I'm so grateful for his work! I follow him on FB too so his updates find me.
  •  
    This website is one of my favorite go to places to learn about new technology tools. It is run by Richard Byrne, a former high school social studies teacher. There are resources for teachers in every content area and for any purpose. There is even a Facebook page you can like which features the same posts as the blog. Personally, I chose to like the Facebook page so the updates pop up in my feed. This allows me to see the posts throughout the year as they become available without any extra effort.
  •  
    Blog with tons of great tech information for teachers.
  •  
    I have a lot of technology blogs that I read through my Digg reader in order to stay up to date with emerging technologies and trends. One of the main blogs that I find great tips and resources from is Free Technology for Teachers. I have found that they are not as applicable for me now that I am working solely in higher ed, but I still enjoy reading the majority of the posts. Not sure why my post is timestamped 01 Feb 10, sorry!
susanbird

Purdue Online Writing Lab - 2 views

  •  
    The Purdue University Online Writing Lab serves writers from around the world and the Purdue University Writing Lab helps writers on Purdue's campus.
  •  
    This is an excellent resource when you have to cite resources. I know that I struggle to cite the resources correctly, so I wanted to share the resource with others.
  •  
    Purdue OWL has been a life-saver through out the MET program
melpalmer4

Introduction to communities of practice | Wenger-Trayner - 22 views

  • Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.
    • nstringham
       
      Teacher Instagram is exactly this! We learn and grow from each other as we interact with each other.
  • Membership therefore implies a commitment to the domain,
  • he domain is not necessarily something recognized as “expertise” outside the community.
  • ...5 more annotations...
  • members engage in joint activities and discussions, help each other, and share information.
  • They build relationships that enable them to learn from each other; they care about their standing with each other.
  • ut members of a community of practice do not necessarily work together on a daily basis.
  • hey develop a shared repertoire of resources: experiences, stories, tools, ways of addressing recurring problems
  • they have developed a set of stories and cases that have become a shared repertoire for their practice.
  •  
    This page on the Wenger-Trayner website, there is an in-depth explanation of communities of practice as well as a brief history of its inception. I really appreciated the part of this site that gave examples for how to effectively use communities of practice (CoP). It was interesting to read myths about CoPs as well as to be provided with links to further reading on the topic. I also found it incredibly insightful that the site explained how CoPs are being used in a variety of forums, not only in education.
  • ...24 more comments...
  •  
    This article provides helpful information on the topic of communities of practice. I was also interested in seeing how CoP are used outside of education. I question whether CoP that develop with "cultivation" are as effective as those that are self-organizing.
  •  
    This is a great resource for communities of practice. It breaks down the characteristics of a community of practice between the domain, the community, and the practice. This resource also provides a table of examples of what makes a good CoP. It is very helpful in understanding where CoPs are commonly used and how they can be beneficial. Very helpful resource when first learning about CoPs.
  •  
    This resource is a basic overview of the concept of communities of practice. It discusses the background from which it was created, and gave some specific examples of COPs in the real world. The best portion dealt with how COPs are used in other areas aside from education. There are also some excellent links.
  •  
    This page look at the definition of a community of practice and includes there critera that are essential: the domain, the community, and the practice.
  •  
    As others have also suggested, this article gives a good overview of CoPs applicable to real world integration. For example, I tend to focus on the realm of current day educational CoPs at a school or district level. This article goes beyond that by providing examples of other forms of CoPs. One that struck my interest was the "tribe learning to survive" example. This definitely gives a broader perspective on the reach of CoPs, in that, they can be traced back to the primordial beginnings of human interaction.
  •  
    This article, by Etienne and Beverly Wenger-Trayner in 2015, gives a wonderful introduction of what a community of practice is and why researchers and practitioners find them to be a valuable way of communicating and learning. You get a good perspective of what communities of practice looks like, where the concept comes from, and where the concept is being applied. Myths about communities of practice and suggested readings are also included.
  •  
    What are CoPs? This article breaks down the terminology for Communities of Practice and explains what they are (and aren't). One common theme that appears throughout the article are the ideas of intention and implementation. CoPs are not just interest groups for casual entertainment. They are formed with intent and with the purpose of implementing ideas. Social media has removed the boundaries of who can form/join CoPs, and the sources of information are virtually endless.
  •  
    This overview from 2015 is written by one of the anthropologists who coined this term when studying apprenticeships. It describes the 3 crucial characteristics: domain, community, and practice; its origin; its uses in a variety of settings; and refutes various myths about COP. A pdf is available.
  •  
    This is a great overview of COPs. The author defines COP's and gives the three major characteristics: domain, community, & practice (and goes on to clearly define each of these). He explains the origins of COP's, describes them and gives examples of COP's today, addresses common myths of COP's and provides an influx of resources. A great site with a lot of valuable info!
  •  
    This article outlines what communities of practice are and what they look like. It also describes how these communities are used in a variety of fields.
  •  
    Wenger-Trayner give an overview of what constitutes a community of practice (CoP). It differentiate between a community and a CoP. Three features of CoP are given: domain, community, and practice. It is more than common interest; it involves interaction among practitioner who want to learn from each other. The article is helpful to understanding how to develop a PLN.
  •  
    Often times grasping a new concept is difficult without examples to show what what a particular concept might look like. This article has a sub-head that reads: "What do communities of practice look like?" There are boxes with questions like "requests for information," "seeking experience," and "reusing assets." If you click on the plus/ minus sign on the boxes, you get taken to a short example.
  •  
    In this fairly in-depth article, Etienne and Beverly Wenger- Trainer, focus on many different aspects of Communities of Practice. Some of the key elements they name regarding CoPs are: they are intentional, they can improve performance among members, the members have a shared domain of interest, the members have a commitment to the group, and the members build relationships that enable the to learn from each other. The 3 main element of a CoP are the domain, the community, and the practice.
  •  
    Great share @MrsLieberman356! It's quite in-dept but chalk-ful of excellent information on CoPs and their objectives.
  •  
    Thanks Joanna! When reading about CoPs myself, I love how they say that they're intentional. Through reading this article as well as others, I really see why that's an important piece to it!
  •  
    According to this article, three characteristics are crucial in order for a community to be considered a "community of practice." A community of practice is not merely a club, it has an identity defined by a shared domain of interest. In pursuing their interest in their domain, members engage in joint activities and discussions, help each other, and share information. They build relationships that enable them to learn from each other. A community of practice is not merely a community of interest-people who like certain kinds of movies, for instance. Members of a community of practice are practitioners. They develop a shared collection of resources: experiences, stories, tools, ways of addressing recurring problems -- a shared practice. http://wenger-trayner.com/introduction-to-communities-of-practice/
  •  
    A brief overview and introduction of the concept and uses of communities of practice. This article shares theories and what it should look like instead of the "How" it should be done. They share the background of the concept and how it fits into the teaching environment.
  •  
    This article gives a brief overview of the concept of communities of practice. Communities of Practice are groups that share a passion for what they do and share how they can do it better. The domain is a network of connections between people. The community is the activities and discussions share among the group. The practice is sharing the tips and tricks of how things work.
  •  
    This delivers an overview of CoP's and discusses what a CoP would look like. It discusses the background and how it would fit in the learning environment.
  •  
    This site breaks down what distinguishes Communities of Practice from communities.
  •  
    This resource illustrates a CoP first, and then it uses this example to explain the components of CoPs: domain, community, and practice. It further provides examples fo what CoPs look like.
  •  
    A great introduction into communities of practice. These communities require three things: commitment to the mission/goal, a community, and a shared role (or practice).
  •  
    This website was created to explain CoP by the developers of the practice. The website explains what CoP is and what it looks like. The websites explains where CoP came from and how it can be applied in the workplace in different environments. The authors also diffuse any myths about the CoP so that others can understand what it is.
  •  
    This article goes in depth on the three requirements for a CoP. It also goes through several examples of what a CoP looks like in various activities.
  •  
    This article provides examples of where COP can exist!
  •  
    I like how it emphasizes that the three components of COP are domain, community, and practice. You need each of these to have a successful COP. Thanks for sharing.
naddleman

Step 1: What is a PLN? - 6 views

  •  
    This webpage breaks down what a PLN is among teachers and also has some great videos. It provides some helpful resources that encourages teachers to join a PLN or create one. The simple break down of a PLN is helpful when someone is just starting out, or conducting research on a PLN.
  • ...12 more comments...
  •  
    This resource discuss what is means to be a connected teacher. It describes a cycle built around Twitters, blogs, webinars and other online resources. It encourages students to build their own PLN and become involved in the process.
  •  
    Truly, a great video on connected teachers. It really is time to say goodbye to traditional education. Being connected is the key to 21st Century Learning, Social Media is the way for teachers and students to learn and be connected with the knowledge we need to move ahead in today's education.
  •  
    This article describes what a PLN is and breaks down personal, learning, and network. There is a short video that uses graphics to describe a PLN and another video that explains the importance of being a connected educator.
  •  
    This article really helped me understand what a PLN is because it first provides a basic definition of PLN. It also links to an article on 'connectivism' which, as I learned in Module 2, is the learning theory at the root of PLN's. The other part of this article that I appreciated, is how the author breaks down the P, L, and N and describes how each aspect contributes to learning and professional growth.
  •  
    This blog begins with a word cloud comprised of reasons to begin a PLN. While the writer mentions its roots in connectivism theory, he does not explain further. The "personal," "learning," and "network" aspects of the term are explained, and a video with an explanation is embedded. The author then goes into reasons we need PLNs and how to create one, which is outside of what we are looking for with this assignment.
  •  
    Introductory explanation of PLNs & reasons why it would benefit educators
  •  
    This website has many articles on how to set up your own PLN and be a good member of one (or fifty). A lot of multimedia resources available to here to help educators get started with this.
  •  
    In this article, the author explains in simple, easy to follow steps what a PLN is and how to effectively set one up. The first explain that PLNs "has its origins in connectivism theory (Siemens, G. & Downes, S., 2005)". The P is about make personal connections and relationships. The L (learning) is about sharing ideas and resources. The N (network), perhaps the most significant part, allows learners and educators to "tap into and share diverse, global perspectives". Included in the article is a short video about PLNs. There is also an excellent argument for why it is so important to be a connected educator in today's 21st century learning environment.
  •  
    Australian teacher and blogger Michael Graffin does a nice job explaining simply what PLNs are. He write to break down individually the personal, learning and network piece. Michael also express how the network you create is all about the tools you choose and the people and communities you choose to be involved in. This is a nice starters guide for teachers and learners of PLN's.
  •  
    This article written by Michael Graffin was a great resource for explaining what a PLN is and connecting it to the connectivism theory. At first glance, it seems to lean towards the "how to" of creating a PLN but he also opens the doors of theory and a few things to think about when creating one for yourself. This includes reflecting on the idea of the tools you will use, who you would possibly connect with, how you will want to learn and when you want to learn it.
  •  
    In reading this article, I really connected with the part relating the author's experience after playing an active role in his PLN for six months as he "realized that developing a PLN is an empowering, transformational process that fundamentally transforms your professional learning and teaching approach. As I have participated in the English department PLN with English 101 and 301 faculties, I can testify how true this realization is. This article is a good basic approach to PLN's.
  •  
    This blog draws the relationship between personal learning networks and connectivism.
  •  
    This blog entry provides a basic definition for a Personal Learning Network(PLN) and links to supporting videos to conceptualize a PLN. This blog is appealing since it addresses PLNs from a teacher perspective. It further addresses how PLNs help educators stay connected.There is a nice visual of ways to create and grow a PLN.
  •  
    This blog explains way more than simply the definition of a PLN, which makes it a great resource. This is a site that I plan to reference in the future in our 543 class as we proceed with our PLNs. I'm really glad I found this one.
meganapgar

Some Very Good Educational Resources for Social Studies Teachers ~ Educational Technolo... - 0 views

  •  
    Provides social studies teachers with a resource where they can quickly access and use digital tools to help them with the teaching of their subject matter. The resources are arranged into categories: websites, iPad apps, Android apps, and Chrome apps.
alannashaw

4 Fantastic and Free Professional Learning Networks for Teachers -- THE Journal - 0 views

  •  
    While it is short, and doesn't offer much in the analysis or theory market, this article offers 4 additional resources for finding PLNs to join. Three of the four resources mentioned were new to me, but the information included about Twitter does help explain why the platform is great for PLNs (just in case anyone is knew to Twitter). One thing to note about these sources is that each is free and may also include a paid option for additional resources.
Jana Warner

HOME - Office of Educational Technology - 1 views

  •  
    Implementing an Open Approach #GoOpen District Launch Packet Across the country, districts are choosing to #GoOpen and transitioning to the use of openly licensed educational resources to improve student learning in their schools. This resource is designed for districts that have decided to implement a systematic approach to incorporating openly licensed educational resources into their curriculum by becoming a #GoOpen District.
  •  
    Implementing an Open Approach #GoOpen District Launch Packet Across the country, districts are choosing to #GoOpen and transitioning to the use of openly licensed educational resources to improve student learning in their schools. This resource is designed for districts that have decided to implement a systematic approach to incorporating openly licensed educational resources into their curriculum by becoming a #GoOpen District. http://tech.ed.gov/
Katie Swanson Sathre

What is a PLN? - 10 views

  •  
    This website is monitored by edublogs and geared towards teachers who are wanting to create professional learning networks. Step 1 provides a detailed examination of what a pln is, which includes videos, images, and other media to convey content. From this page teachers can move forward in creating their own pln.
  • ...9 more comments...
  •  
    This resource is a great one to have access to. It explains what a PLN is in layman's terms down to what is "personal" what is "learning" and what is "network". It also has some helpful media to better solidify the concept. Thank you for posting. #EdTechSN
  •  
    Another great resource alexisseidl. This resource does a fantastic explaining PLN's in very simple terms and does a great job of incorporating media to enhance the learning experience.
  •  
    This article begins with a very simple explanation of what a PLN is. It breaks down each letter and describes it in detail. It also provides some great multimedia tools including a pair of videos about being a connected learner and a description of a PLN. There is also a voicethread about why you should have a PLN. It even provides you with a challenge to develop your own PLN.
  •  
    This source offers a plethora of modalities to explain what exactly a personal learning network is. It can mostly simply be defined by the three parts in the name of a PLN: personal, building relationships to fit the individual; learning, the professional development aspect of collaborating and sharing resources; network, the platform that forms the means for building connections. The source offers a short video, a VoiceThread presentation, examples and personal testimonials to prove the power of PLNs.
  •  
    This is website breaks down the basic idea of a PLN. It also has a step by step guide to set up a PLN. There is a short video that is very clear and easy to understand that explains a PLN and how it benefits the participants.
  •  
    I enjoyed reviewing this resource. The details are plainly laid out and easy to follow. Really helps to explain all there is to know about PLNs.
  •  
    While this is a blog post, it is one by teachers for teachers, and it really does a good job to explain what a personal learning network (PLN) is piece by piece. There are great videos and visuals within the post that also provided insight into a PLN and why it's a valuable part of being a professional, especially in education. I love that we are encompassing that in this course too!
  •  
    This site contains a professional learning series on building a personal learning network.The what and the why. It is complete with multiple videos and infographics to aid understanding.
  •  
    I really like the breakdown of PLN on this page. The collection of resources really allows for an easy to understand experience!
  •  
    Great share Courtney! I love the videos explaining what a PLN is (very simple and to the point). The video about connected educators is one I want to share with my district on my proposal to get social media active. It discusses why educators need a PLN and how beneficial it can be!
  •  
    A PLN is personal because you choose who is in your group and if you want to lurk or comment. A PLN is what you want when you want it- reminds me of the Burger King slogan- "your way right away"
Sarah Baughman

7 Things You Should Know About Personal Learning Environments - 5 views

  •  
    This is a link to download a PDF that gives goes in depth about what a personal learning environment is, how it compares to a LMS, and even gives some downsides. I really like this document as it increased my knowledge of PLNs.
  • ...1 more comment...
  •  
    Great resource here. I really like the set up of the resource that explains PLNs, explains how they are being utilized now, their importance, and where they are going. Another great resource from Educause.
  •  
    I really liked this resource. I have not done much work with PLN's, and this helped me get a better grasp of the concept. The resource really explains how PLN's should be used and what they can and can't help with. I enjoyed the resource. Thank you for sharing.
  •  
    Sarah - I think you found a gem here. When I began to read the article, I felt that the writer was advocating a narrow focus - solely academic contributors to a PLN/PLE. As I read, the writer added the need to have a variety of contributors in a PLN. The writer addressed the need for members of a PLN to possess information fluency to distinguish a contributor speaking from a position of authority vs someone writing a narrative opinion. I hope (speaking with what little I know) to expand and grow a PLN that has both elements.
wagnerang

Knowledge Sharing Tools and Methods Toolkit - Communities of Practice - 9 views

  •  
    This wiki page from Knowledge Sharing takes an in-depth look at the use of CoP in International Development and provides an extensive list of examples to provide greater understanding of CoP and its uses.
  • ...7 more comments...
  •  
    This site describes communities of practice (CoP) as "groups of people who share a passion for something that they do, and who interact regularly to learn how to do it better." It then goes on to describe the history or CoPs, when and how to use them (providing a flowchart for cultivating communities of practice), and concludes with tips, examples, and related resources.
  •  
    This resource outlines CoPs and provides relevant examples. Explains that the emphasis of these communities is the quality of content shared by individuals. States that the creator to consumer ratio is 0.07%. Where's the YOU?
  •  
    This article provides an overview of, applications for, and tips the use of a community of practice.
  •  
    This article give not only the basic idea of a CoP, but also gives tips and lessons, examples and stories, and more references for those interested in learning more. Some of the resources are in Dutch (?), so be aware.
  •  
    Great summary of CoPs and their usefulness in education. I like how the article explains that they can be short term or long term depending on the purpose and goals of the community. I also really like the graphic and saved it to my desktop!
  •  
    The image in this article is great! The tips section is also helpful when you are thinking about creating a CoP. Overall, great article with great examples.
  •  
    This is a really great resource! Like Ryann, I love the image within this page. It really puts some of the important aspects of communities of practice in the simplest terms possible. I love the emphasis on key questions to ask when thinking about CoP. Consistent attitude is something that needs to be taken to all communities! If the purpose is to teach and learn, then the attitude needs to be there to match.
  •  
    This was a great find Natalie! I especially like the idea that the resource presents when it states that it is tempting to mandate these communities but that they can better be nurtured by continuing existence. I connect this to my own classroom and the work I do throughout the beginning of the school year where I'm constantly arranging their groups to help them develop their communication and group skills but then allow them to form their own groups as the year progresses and I find that, for the most part, they gravitate to individuals that they work best with. I really liked the infographic on where to start as well. I think this is a great go to visual for utilizing CoPs.
  •  
    This online toolkit offers a brief and well-organized overview of communities of practice (CoP). It begins with a short description and follows with the history CoPs. It then offers a bulleted list of when to utilize CoPs and even provides further advice on how-to use. This site was particularly helpful in that it also offers tips and lessons learned from others as well as examples, stories, and other resources. Overall, it is organized and affords users a plethora f information on Communities of Practice.
Scott McKee

10-reasons-every-teacher-needs-professional-learning-network - 2 views

  •  
    10 Reasons Every Teacher Need A PLN This article has a great graphic that provides outlines 10 reasons teachers need personal learning networks. The reasons range from finding great resources, to sharing ideas, to getting support when needed. As one contributor to the site so succinctly stated, "professional development often leaves a lot to be desired. The key is to help teachers teach themselves through sharing and engagement (Todd Kominiak)." http://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/10-reasons-every-teacher-needs-professional-learning-network/
  •  
    Teachthought.com is an excellent resource. This particular resource is titled "10 Reasons why Every Teacher Needs a P.L.N." This page is filled with multiple resources at a glance to help better learn and understand the theories behind PLN.
meganapgar

4 Great Video Resources for Middle and High School Classrooms | Common Sense Education - 0 views

  •  
    This article describes four video resources that can be used in middle or high school related to economics, global issues, and media literacy.
  •  
    This article describes four video resources that can be used in middle or high school related to economics, global issues, and media literacy.
1 - 20 of 1641 Next › Last »
Showing 20 items per page