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Thanks for sharing this site Terrence. This is a good basic resource for someone learning about CoPs. I like the FAQ's aspect of it.

Bell, F. (2010). Connectivism: Its place in theory-informed research and innovation in technology-enabled learning. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 12(3), 98-118. Unlike the other articles I've discussed regarding Connectivism Frances starts by detailing the world Internet market. Which is an interesting starting point because in order for Connectivism to be a qualifying learning theory for everyone, the actual "connection" part must be prevalent. This is the first article that draws attention to the potential digital divide that could keep some countries and regions from the potential benefits of Connectivism. From his subtle inclusion of what can be read as the digital divide, he details the history of sharing on the Internet, and the general practice of sharing the Internet in itself has created. I also like that Frances describes Connectivism as a learning theory not looking to take over past practices but collaborate with them. This was an important note compared to the other articles I read that were determined to sell Connectivism as the all or nothing approach towards the future of web 2.0 in learning either for or against. Finally Frances discusses Connectivism role in research and those looking for a more fundamental understanding of research done on Connectivism and regarding Connectivism. The author tackles both topics with great research backing up all scenarios and discussions.

Is connectivism a real learning theory? This article explores the theory through different aspects of the digital era and how other learning theories (i.e. behaviorism, constructivism) are observed through various scenarios involving technology.

This is a very interesting article. I like reading more about connectivism because for some reason I find it difficult to understand. It questions whether connectivism should be considered a learning theory.

This article provides some great background on the theory of connectivism: its beginnings, major influencers, and basic principles. The article goes on to question whether connectivism alone is enough to answer all of the questions regarding how best to reach students in the technology-abled classroom. The article provides 5 scenarios to tackle the question, and offers some thought-provoking findings.

Like many other educational articles, this writer questions whether connectivism deserves a place as a learning theory in its own right. Bell discusses the growing use of the internet as a classroom and how connectivism applies. He also discusses connectivism as a phenomenon versus a learning theory.

Connectivism: Frances Bell explores theories in technology-enabled learning. Bell states, in 5 different scenarios, that it is proven that with our global society we should keep researching how to improve connections and learn from the past. Not all countries or people are equal when it comes to technology.

This 2011 journal article discusses how researchers can bring more rigor to research into Connectivism to counter the claims of some analysts that insist the concept lacks true academic support. Their final results indicate that Connectivism alone can not be a theory for education, but instead needs to work in congruence with other theories. A wide variety of reasons from personal preference to funding will influence which theories we use. As technology expands, so does research.

This article examines connectivism and its role as a learning theory in the digital age. It explains the principles of connectivism and provides scenarios that connectivism could help in an educational setting.

There is significant debate as to whether or not connectivism is a stand alone learning theory. While the data does not fully support connectivism as separate and distinct learning theory, there is considerable support for it a a learning phenomenon. The author of the article emphasizes the connected world in which we live has evolved, and therefore, has influenced the manner in which people learn.

From the development of the internet to present day, using technology for informational purposes and learning development continues to grow and become more common. Connectivism supports the theories that learning occurs as a more intrapersonal experience and occurs while the learning creates information and deeper understandings. This resources presents the development of technology as a cause for a new view of learning and education.

This article defines Personal Learning Network and shares how their structures have changed over time through the authors personal experience.

Teaching Village - Great teacher resources for PLN and other teacher information. This has all kinds of good information and teacher resources.

I seem to have picked the same articles as everyone else!

Jessica, very nice resource on PLN's through the Teaching Village site. I like how they define the PLN during the decades. Investigating the nav tabs it seems that it is based for a primary school environment.

Like many others, I had no clue what PLN was until this class! This is a very simple example of a PLN defining a PLN! I also liked how they described PLNs through the last 3 decades.

This article represents the authors attempt to retell her journey of creating a PLN. She begins by describing her PLN in the 80's which consisted of people getting together to discuss books they had read. She then moves on to discuss the 90's and the inclusion of the internet and email into her PLN. Finally it concludes with a discussion of the current century and how PLN's have been affected by social media and the resulting implications.

This blog discusses what a PLN is, and how it has evolved over the years. It clearly shows that as technology became more accessible across the world, it allowed PLN's to grow as well.

This explains what a PLN is and how it has changed over the years as technology has advanced. It also talks about what a current PLN looks like, and how things like Twitter and other networking tools are used.

This resource is a great one to have access to. It explains what a PLN is in layman's terms down to what is "personal" what is "learning" and what is "network". It also has some helpful media to better solidify the concept. Thank you for posting. #EdTechSN

Another great resource alexisseidl. This resource does a fantastic explaining PLN's in very simple terms and does a great job of incorporating media to enhance the learning experience.

This article begins with a very simple explanation of what a PLN is. It breaks down each letter and describes it in detail. It also provides some great multimedia tools including a pair of videos about being a connected learner and a description of a PLN. There is also a voicethread about why you should have a PLN. It even provides you with a challenge to develop your own PLN.

This source offers a plethora of modalities to explain what exactly a personal learning network is. It can mostly simply be defined by the three parts in the name of a PLN: personal, building relationships to fit the individual; learning, the professional development aspect of collaborating and sharing resources; network, the platform that forms the means for building connections. The source offers a short video, a VoiceThread presentation, examples and personal testimonials to prove the power of PLNs.

This is website breaks down the basic idea of a PLN. It also has a step by step guide to set up a PLN. There is a short video that is very clear and easy to understand that explains a PLN and how it benefits the participants.

I enjoyed reviewing this resource. The details are plainly laid out and easy to follow. Really helps to explain all there is to know about PLNs.

While this is a blog post, it is one by teachers for teachers, and it really does a good job to explain what a personal learning network (PLN) is piece by piece. There are great videos and visuals within the post that also provided insight into a PLN and why it's a valuable part of being a professional, especially in education. I love that we are encompassing that in this course too!

This site contains a professional learning series on building a personal learning network.The what and the why. It is complete with multiple videos and infographics to aid understanding.

I really like the breakdown of PLN on this page. The collection of resources really allows for an easy to understand experience!

Communities of practice are groups of people who share the same job or a common interest in a subject. They come together to form a link to help each other perform in the world around them. This article talks about the value of communities of practice and how and why they work.

Eckert, P. (2006). Communities of practice. ELL, 2, 683-685. In this article, Mrs. Eckert does a great job in simplifying what a community of practice entails and means. She allows you to visualize the communities you belong to as well as other communities of practice you interact with or observe on a daily basis. One important distinction is that the author of this work is written from the sense of sociolinguistics and linguistic anthropology and not from an educator's mind set. Irrespective of this standpoint, you can see direct correlations to where students understand themselves and what communities of practice your own student population may fall under. In order to understand the social development of communities of practice Mrs. Eckert does a good job in breaking down common cores that can emerge from memberships. The linguistic side she writes, "A white working class Italian-American woman does not develop her ways of speaking directly from the larger categorical working class, Italian American, and female, but from her day to day experience as a person who combines those three memberships. Her experience will be articulated by her participation in activities and communities of practice that are particular to her place in the social order."(Eckert, 2006) Building upon that theory, she discusses the importance of social space "Emma Moore's study of teenage girls in Northern England (Moore 2003) traced the gradual split of a group of somewhat rebellious "populars" as some of them emerged as the tougher "townies" in their ninth year. In the process, the vernacular speech patterns of the "townies" intensified in opposition to those of their more Conservative friends". (Eckert, 2006) While the article sheds more light on the development of speech patterns and dialects through the medium of communities, we can also see the definition in practice in which a collection of people gather together over a common interest and then orients to their new surrounding

This is just a basic definition of communities of practice. It is a very easy way to understand it.

Communities of practice (CoP) are created through a community of people who have common interests. In communities of practice, Eckert (2006) explains "a community of practice develops ways of doing things, views, values, power relations, and ways of talking" (p.1). CoP's have a way of providing a personal identity and a way of speaking within a CoP.