http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/nli0531.pdf

How to design a Community of Practice? The following steps may be the answer: Inquire (identify the audience, purpose, goals, and vision)
Design (define the activities, technologies, group processes and roles)
Prototype (pilot the community to gain commitment/test assumptions/refine the strategy and establish success)
Launch - deliver and expand audience
Grow - engage into meaningful collaboration
Sustain - maintain sharing of knowledge and learning

The paper outlines 4 key principles for connected learning - autonomy, connectedness, diversity, and openness. The authors' point of view is that all four principles can be "expanded to recognize individual and psychological diversity within connective environments." They conclude by saying that it is in the "context and recognition of the engagement" that makes connectivism a "viable framework for learning, offering great potential..."

In 2011, George Siemens and Stephen Downes launched a massive open online course called "Connectivism and Connected Knowledge" (CCK11.) The article defines Connectivism as "network-based pedagogy" and discusses why these authors value "the process" over "the product." Specifically, why the process of taking the course would be in itself much more important than what learners may have learned. Additionally, they offer 4 major components: aggregation, remixing, repurposing, and feeding forward. In the nutshell, the article argues that, as far as connectivism in concerned, knowledge is not something that can be "neatly packaged and passed along as a finished product"; rather, it is "complicated, distributed, mixed with other concepts, looks differently to different people.."

http://plpnetwork.com/research-based-professional-development-that-works/
What does it mean "connected learning in digital age"? The article discusses three components of connected learning communities - professional learning communities, personal learning networks, and communities of practice, and then gives an overview of underlying theories, use of technology, as well as anticipated challenges/growth/decline for each component.

By Thomas Whitby. http://edupln.ning.com/profiles/blogs/educators-will-never-be-100-connected

A thought provoking article discussing the "three pillars" of being an educator (the mastery of the content, the excellence in teaching/pedagogy, and digital literacy.) According to the author, it is the digital literacy that directly affects the "evolution" of content and education. This article raises questions more than it gives the answers, yet, the questions are profound. Makes me appreciate being a part of our EDTECH community more than ever before!

A great collection of blogs, videos, resource (including an alphabetical list of Twitter Hashtags) for education.

http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/view/882/1689

The article discusses challenges that might prevent learners from successful and effective learning: levels of learner "autonomy, presence, and critical literacies." Among the research finding were: 1) the "mindset to deal with complexity within a minimally structured environment" is a key, 2) the majority of participants "were happy" to aggregate, relate, and share resources, but only a minority were engaged into creation of "artifacts." It takes time to process information and start creating! I believe it is exactly that CREATION that this course will encourage us to do!

http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/viewArticle/523/1103%22
This paper highlights current theories of learning and gives a critical analysis of connectivism ""within the context of its predecessors" in a attempt to establish whether this theory is indeed anything new to offer for teaching and learning in the digital era.

This paper highlights current theories of learning and gives a critical analysis of connectivism ""within the context of its predecessors" in a attempt to establish whether this theory is indeed anything new to offer for teaching and learning in the digital era.

By Loertscher, David V. and Koechlin, Carol (2011). Check out the library at BSU for full text! Discusses each component of digital PLEs in greater details and provides a model that divides the PLE intro three distinct stages of development (each phase empowers the learner to manage specific aspects of his/her learning potential.)

The book illustrates how the Internet connects people in unprecedented ways. It also discusses ways in which schools will have to be transformed in order to meet the needs, goals, and abilities of our current and future students. It is a "road map for any educator thinking about using the web for learning. Build your own learning network, and use learning networks in the classroom and schoolwide to improve student outcomes."

These topics very especially interesting as I was looking through the table of contents: Marrying Facebook to Fantastic Learning, Learning networks, Changing skills, network effects, and the Tools (among others.)

Richardson, W., & Mancabelli, R. (2011). Personal learning networks: Using the power of connections to transform education. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.

TED Talks: http://www.ted.com/
Great resource! I keep coming back to this site when searching for another great idea or inspirational speech to share with my students. Sometimes I just listen to different talks while planning lessons. It's brilliant! Check them out if you have not already!