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The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology published a 2017 update to their 2016 National Education Technology Plan Update (NETP): Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education: 2017 National Education Technology Plan Update. The Director of the Office of Education Technology at the time, Joseph South, noted in the report, " Feedback from our stakeholders indicates that the previous five year update cycle was not frequent enough. In response, with this 2017 update, we commence a pattern of yearly, smaller scale updates to the NETP to better account for the pace of innovation in the field."

Keek is the easiest way to share video updates with friends. You can upload video status updates ("keeks") using your webcam or the Keek app for Android and iPhone. Connect with friends, share funny videos and more.

Research regarding the benefits of being a member of a community of practice. While the information seems a bit forced (the communities of practice used for the study were exclusively face-to-face communities), the benefits of being a member of a community of practice still seem valid. According to the study, they are (1) autonomy and freedom to think beyond, (2) sources to ideas, (3) sounding board, (4) intellectual discussion, (5) like-mindedness, (6) alternative perspective and cross-pollination of ideas, (7) overcoming intellectual isolation, (8) move towards collaborative research, (9) response to research pressure, (10) synergy and leverage, (11) time and energy saving, (12) an informal ground for learning and training, (13) fostering of tangible returns, (14) driving research, (15) opportunities to met, (16) networking, information sharing and updates, (17) support and guidance, (18) sense of belonging, (19) identity, and (20) intrinsic fulfillment. As the article is about higher education, there are certainly some benefits that are more specific to their context, but I think the findings of the article are still valid.

Research regarding the benefits of being a member of a community of practice. While the information seems a bit forced (the communities of practice used for the study were exclusively face-to-face communities), the benefits of being a member of a community of practice still seem valid. According to the study, they are (1) autonomy and freedom to think beyond, (2) sources to ideas, (3) sounding board, (4) intellectual discussion, (5) like-mindedness, (6) alternative perspective and cross-pollination of ideas, (7) overcoming intellectual isolation, (8) move towards collaborative research, (9) response to research pressure, (10) synergy and leverage, (11) time and energy saving, (12) an informal ground for learning and training, (13) fostering of tangible returns, (14) driving research, (15) opportunities to met, (16) networking, information sharing and updates, (17) support and guidance, (18) sense of belonging, (19) identity, and (20) intrinsic fulfillment. As the article is about higher education, there are certainly some benefits that are more specific to their context, but I think the findings of the article are still valid.

Cardiff University in Wales uses Tweprints, a combination of Twitter and scientific papers to allow searching peer-reviewed information.

This is just an idea for integrating social media into the classroom but the homework has been done and there are some great details regarding the project. This project would make it possible for students, parent, educators, and such to be able to keep updated by using social media.

This is an article about using Worlde as a tool in class. It isn't really used in social networking, but I think it could easily be tweeted or posted as an update on Facebook. The power is in the words and analysis of the rhetorical features in the words.

This is another example of a secondary school using Twitter effectively. This feed updates students and parents on all things related to its iPad Revolution and is a brilliant example of using Twitter to offer tech support on integrated technology.

This high school uses Twitter to tweet updates, links, resources, and announcements to students about the library media center. With over 600 followers, this is an excellent example of using social media can reach and inform students.

Updated examples on this document

This SlideShare explains networks and nodes,their patterns and relationships, and how they relate to Connectivism and the Connectivism learning model.

This is an interesting approach to explaining connectivism. I like that it's in a SlideShare format, and gives a different viewpoint of how the connections happen within different groups. I did find myself a little lost, and wouldn't be able to explain it using this diagram, however I can appreciate it's uniqueness.

I very much appreciated this slideshow for its explanation of a network. "Every entity is composted of addition entities." Downes 2007. This quote sums up this process beautifully. Also, the image regarding updating student's concepts regularly makes a lot of sense. If I were to try and explain all of this content in several months without update and review, it would most certainly lack important dynamic quality.

This updated PEW Research report provides more up to date stats regarding teen usage in social networks.

This website has apps that support Bloom's Digital (Updated) Taxonomy. If you are looking for a particular app to represent a higher order level of thinking, this would be a great place to start.

This website is a presentation with an updated version of Bloom's Taxonomy for the 21st Century. It includes suggestions for web 2.0 tools for each department of the taxonomy.

Lots of resources for teaching and the price is right. It won best blog and resource sharing site in 2009 from Edublog.

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!

George Siemens presents fundamental tenets of the theory of connectivism in context of and as a substitute or followup to behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism. He discusses the principles of the theory as well as the implications of the theory and why it is superior in a digital age of abundant information sharing.

George Siemens introduces Connectivism as a learning theory for the digital age. In this article, Siemens outlines the main principles and expresses the need for a new learning theory given today's technological advancements. Siemens begins by analyzing the three key learning theories (behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism) in order to describe how these three theories have become outdated and no longer work for today's learner. With Connectivism, Siemens and Downes believe that learning no longer exists solely in one learner; instead, they assert that learning happens best when networks of people come together to create and pursue knowledge. Siemens and Downes explain that because the Internet has so much information, and because that information is constantly changing/updating, learning is not about the knowledge itself but the pursuit of knowledge as it emerges through connection, conversation, and inquiry.

SUMMARY: Connectivism teaches students skills that are not attached to time or space. Rather they are necessary in the fast-paced, ever-changing whirlwind we live in. The chart near the end clearly compares major educational theories and helped me see the connections and disconnects between them.

Great article. Chaos theory is so interesting. The study of pattern shifts is so real to this day and age. For example, I think the role of memes play a big part in our culture and this absolutely propels the chaos theory. Nice share Natalie!

Summary: The most useful part of this resource comes after the definition of Connectivism cited from Siemens. The author includes a graphic that compares Connectivism to other learning theories. In addition, a section is devoted to critics of Connectivism as learning theory who instead see it as a pedagogical view.

The author creates a great case in favor of digital PLNs. She explains why they are so important and relevant today. The emphasis of the article is on the need to work together, not on best practices, but rather on emerging practices. The author takes the stance that best practices require training with known knowledge for known outcomes. While we should be collaborating and innovating together to tackle the emerging practices.

In this article, the author explains why you should build a PLN, why PLNs are important, how to build a PLN, characteristics of a PLN, and skills needed to build a PLN. We need to stay relevant and connected with our personal development and can do that through PLNs. In the 21st Century, it is essential and key to success to stay informed, updated, and connected. PLNs make it easy to learn at the pace of change.

This article discusses why building personal learning networks is important when information changes constantly. The key to survival is learning how to learn continuously through building Personal Learning Networks. Creating networks where people can collaborate and learn from each other in order to remain on the cutting edge. PLNs allow for continuous learning, exchange of thoughts and ideas, and validate and challenge one's thoughts among a diverse group of individuals. PLNs have to be a sharing process of ideas.