https://education-2020.wikispaces.com/Connectivism
"Connectivism is a learning theory promoted by Stephen Downes and George Siemens." Learning occurs with connections in networks. This article believes that with connectivism we can move to a new age of learning. Learning can be more collaborative and global. With connectivism we see the use of networks with nodes and connections to elaborate on our learning.

http://p2pfoundation.net/Connectivist_Learning_Theory_-_Siemens
Connectivist learning theory, by George Siemens
This is the process of knowledge as well as learning. Connectivism focuses on the inclusion of technology. We must focus on our interactions with one another with connectivism.

http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/523/1103
Connectivism: is a framework for understanding learning. Siemens (2004) states, "A community is the clustering of similar areas of interest that allows for interaction, sharing, dialoguing, and thinking together." Knowledge is always distributed and shared across learning networks. Information is gathered from everyone and then relating information back to everybody as well as receiving feedback from others.

http://www.ncddr.org/cop/whatiscop.html
by Etienne Wenger CoPs are formed by people who are engaged and interested in common domains. These can be done in many domains as long as there is an underlying interest. CoPs provide a new way to learn from one another in a safe environment. All members take responsibility with their members to access knowledge while sharing new ideas.

http://janetclarey.com/2011/02/22/social-learning-vs-communities-of-practice/
CoPs are becoming much more popular with the use of technology. Etienne Wenger and Jean Lave are two of the most respected names when it comes to communities of practice. CoPs are groups that are focused on collaboration of common interests while having a purpose and motivation.

http://www.learning-theories.com/communities-of-practice-lave-and-wenger.html
Summary: Communities of Practice occur when people have a common interest in something. This becomes a collaboration with peers to engage in discussions as well as sharing ideas, strategies and solutions.

http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/3559/3131
What is great about PLNs is that you can learning into your own hand. You are learning from others while making connections with other educators. A lot of PLNs are based on community. Just like what we are doing my joining one with our peers to engage in common interests. One key thing that I took away from this was we need to build our PLN, maintain our PLN as well as activate our PLN.

http://eet.sdsu.edu/eetwiki/index.php/Personal_learning_networks
A PLN is a group where educators can learn information on their own. It is a way to collaborate with peers on topics that they are all interested in. With technology, PLNs are becoming much more popular since everyone is able to access them from all over the world.
The 4 main aspects of PLN from this article are:
tools, delivery and opportunity.

This is my school website that I visit every day. http://www,hpsk12.net. This is the homepage for my school district. I teach at both of the middle schools which are 5-6 buildings.