Great share Kelly! This is a simple explanation of what a community of practice is and the three components that it takes in order to be called a CoP. It also explains where one would find a CoP. It specifically states that CoP's are influencing theory which begins to shape how educators teach.

The PLP (Powerful Learning Practice) model looked at three different learning connected learning communities to discuss what each one is, the effects on teacher professional development, challenges and use of technology to name a few. Personal learning communities, personal learning networks, and communities of practice were the three that were discussed. I like how in this article, Connectivism is tied into PLN's which demonstrates how these concepts of PLN's, CoP's, and Connectivism are interrelated. Within PLN's and CoP's, members are concerned about the content and "what they do" as well as interact amongst the group to achieve a higher purpose.

This wiki site was one of the most simplest definitions displaying the elements of a PLN: tools, connections, delivery, and opportunity. Tools allow the learner to use what is most familiar, connections provide the ability to build relationships with others, delivery includes how information is disseminated, and opportunity is when the learner has the time to practice.

This article talks about the importance of networks and the difference between a group emphasis and a network emphasis. The author discusses the importance of information running through a network of human and non-humans. He additionally outlines Siemen's principles of Connectivism. Further, he discusses the implications for using the principles of Connectivism by educators and within higher education.

In this article by Patricia Deubel, Ph.D., she states how connectivism is a learning process that is continuously changing. What an individual learns is always changing and that certain internet tools have clouded the quality online. However, she discusses Siemen's learning ecology such as a variety of learner types (beginning to advanced) as well as different spaces to work on what the individual is looking to accomplish.

This paper shows how members of communities of practice can increase their learning through social networking tools. They discuss how social networking is the forum for the domain (common ground) where people can discuss their ideas. This helps create personal meaning. This happens with a community which is a group of people who want to learn and interact together. The practice is the knowledge that the group develops. Within the article, he discusses how different social networks enhances communities of practice.

This article provides ways that classrooms become communities of practice, how the teacher typically can be become the facilitative leader. If done effectively, students will learn to collaborate. Learning starts occurring (both formally and informally), and communities of practice help us learn through development of skills as well as establishing identity. The goal of these communities of practice is to prepare individuals for the real world.

In this article, the authors compare constructivism and connectivism and look at how constructivism is moving towards connectivism. One important idea or theory is the use of the web in a more "collaborative framework." For example, individuals will collect, reflect, connect, and publish information from the web.

This article from Dr. Bernard Bull discusses ways that students (including all of us) can develop our personal learning networks. While we may have people that help us learn, there are different outreach possibilities to increase our PLN. He states that if students were to grow over time with their PLNs, the number of connections would be of more quality and quantity. He discusses this through the theory of Connectivism. He encourages including PLNs into the curriculum which then may allow for students over time to create personal teaching networks from the information they have learned.

This article clearly articulates what communities of practice are, examples of each (which I find the most interesting as it makes a very clear connection to what we know), and three main components. The three distinguishable ideas show how communities of practice are different than random groups. I like their ideas of these groups occurring over time around things thst matter to people. #EDTECH543

In this article, Kamakshi Rajagopal,Desirée Joosten-ten Brinke, Dr. Jan Van Bruggen, and Dr. Peter B. Sloep identify nine factors that influence the creation and maintenance of personal learning networks. I found a number of these to be important on how and why people develop PLN's including the ability to learn and collaborate.

This is my classroom webpage for my 3rd grade students. It is a young site, one that is growing and one I use for their learning needs. My hope is that others will have posts, resources, or tidbits they would like to share or collaborate on. It mostly revolves around my blog as a focus to their day. I am still waiting for media permissions to expand from my school district.

Provides information about ADA laws

Destination Imagination, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides project-based educational programs to foster creativity and innovation in students.

Games and teacher guides (includes great interactive math games)

Child-friendly weather report including pictures and temperature. You provide the zip code, and it will generate a weather report.

An online metronome ideal for quick and easy use while practicing music, this music tool helps with your rhythm as well as tempo selections and it is always available for free to all students of music at metronomeonline.com

Lessons and videos that can be used in Physical Education!

CAST UDL Book Builder has been made possible in part by generous support from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, NEC Foundation of America, The John W. Alden Trust, and The Pinkerton Foundation

Are you using these tools? If not, here are some ways that one school cleverly integrated them into the classroom.