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Exploration of secondary students' creativity by integrating web-based\ntechnology into an innovative science curriculum

A collection of web based resources and an example of a LiveBinder in use.

This article by Stephen Downes provides a great insight into what an effective PLN looks like and how it functions. I enjoyed reading about his second stage of PLNs, which is the "personal learning environment." This idea is presented as the evolution of PLNs due to technology and connectivism in the classroom.

This article by Stephen Downes gives a definition of a community of practice and then discusses PLE's moving into networks and the characteristics of a learning network: diversity, autonomy connectedness and openness.

As I was relatively unfamiliar with learning networks before this course, I wanted to find resources that showed me what they looked like and examples of how they can be used. This article introduces the importance of using digital tools effectively and empower ourselves to gain the knowledge the web offers. The author states that "Learning therefore evolves from being a transfer of content and knowledge to the production of content and knowledge". Working in a network, PLE or communities of practice allow learners to be creative about information and knowledge, instead of just consuming information and knowledge. The article highlights the key benefits of a PLN: diversity, autonomy, connectedness, and openness.

A great resource for project based learning. There are many links to help you and your students learn while using the web.

Another guide with concrete examples and links to internet-based tools you can use in your classroom curriculum.

This book discusses emerging technologies in distance learning. One of the keys points covered in this book is the roll of social networking in distributing knowledge. This covers Moodle, wikis, and web 2.0 tools such as Facebook and twitter. This book is mainly theoretical in nature.

This book would be a great resource for many classrooms. I enjoyed looking at some of the parts to find out more. It is good to have many ideas to use in the classroom in case some of the ideas crash. This has so many to use which gives us many options.

Connections and communication are key with emerging technology, including social media and other teaching tools.

This is my second unusual reference but well worth it. Chapter 3 provides the reader with a research article that considers the value of the PLEF Personal Learning Environment Format when implementing personalized mashups to increase collaborative learning. This peer reviewed article provides a Connectivist theoretically based argument for engaging dynamic virtual and network learning in lifelong, informal and personalized learning environments.

This website is a great tool for any teacher who is specifically looking to spice up their math classroom. It has 100 sites and/or apps to use that are centered on game based learning. These sites all incorporate learning math concepts and is a great engagement tool in any classroom.

A cloud-based music notation program with several forums for collaboration.

Students from around the world use Voicethread to capture their individual voices. Then, they post the Voicethread project to this wiki to broaden the audience base. Awesome elementary resource!!

Elementary students at Council Rock School District participate in an annual Media Festival where they showcase their media-based projects for both a local and global community. This is a great way for teachers to see the creative possibilities of media integration.

I chose this page because it shows how various schools have used Schoology's Learning Management System for organizing their classroom needs including discussions and cloud-based collaborations.

This article takes the provocative position that a PLN is *not* the best learning situation for all learners. The authors qualify this, however, explaining "when the technology used to support learning is designed to support a specific learning model, this can often lead to a compulsory learning process that users must follow to reach the course objectives." I am not entirely sure this is a bad thing, however; in formal learning situations, I think it makes sense to have clear objectives, assessments, and learning activities. In informal settings--such as personalized professional development for practicing educators, for example--this point might hold true. The authors explain that individuals' epistemological beliefs affect their willingness to learn in an informal (PLN-based) learning situation. Further, the authors believe that beliefs about the role of technology for learning will impact the learning that can occur in a PLN. I really agree with these ideas!

World's largest and most advanced online repository of math and science simulations for grades 3-12. Research-proven, inquiry-based learning tools for teachers and students. Web-based for anytime, anywhere learning.

This website has links to many different instructional games for kids. It's broken up into different categories based on content. I tried a few games and kids would like them and, of the ones I tried, there definitely was educational value in them. Though the games are geared toward elementary students, it would be nice if they were also sorted (or sortable) by grade-level.

Game-based lesson plans and tools shared by educators online!

Project Based Learning's time has come. The experience of thousands of teachers across all grade levels and subject areas, backed by research, confirms that PBL is an effective and enjoyable way to learn - and develop deeper learning competencies required for success in college, career, and civic life.

Another great alternative to powerpoint and slideshow presentations that can be a bit uninteresting. This is a free online tool that can be used to create exciting presentations. Instead of being based on slides, the presenter is able to create a concept-map of ideas/images/text/pdf docs/etc in order to visually engage his/her audience.

Presentations with zooming animations.

Engaging presentation tool that allows a close up view as well as animated transitions.