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This article helped to explain why PLNs and Connectivist theory go hand in hand. It explained that theory and knowledge are linked in a PLN because they are accessible in the context they are applied. The nature of the learning in a PLN is all about applying knowledge and coming up with new ideas about its relevance to concepts. PLNs are all about creating as well as sharing as well as autonomy for its users. Connectivism is about working cooperatively, meaning independently but in a shared environment. This article really helped me to bridge a connection between the Connectivist theory and PLNs.

This article discusses the foundational theory of how PLNs and PLEs influence learning. It discusses the new definition of what the PLE is for each student and how it is evolving with the web tools available to the student.

I like the fact that the authors discuss that educators need to embrace emerging technologies. In addition, they point out that social networking turns the consumer into the producer-what an interesting concept; I think I will use this as I argue for a bit more technological freedom in my classroom.

This article draws a link between personal learning networks and connectivism. The author states that "PWTs allow learners to expand their capacity for knowledge by connecting to external resources", which is one of the principles of connectivism. A variety of personal learning networks are also described.

This tool helps me find some other social learning tools and helps define what a PLN is. It's a concept that I've always worked with and used, but never had a definite term for.

I like the idea of how a PLN's component parts can include (what the authors call) personal web technologies (PWTs). The authors feel that PWTs are especially unique because they create "a continuous, dynamic learning environment for individuals as they move from one role to the next." It is this special property of PWTs that gives individuals the power to "manage their own learning resources." The authors also briefly draw an interesting connection between PWTs and connectivism, but it isn't explored in depth. They do offer an in depth discussion of PWTs shortcomings and potential disadvantages. I especially like their warning that "learners who use PWTs must learn to question sources, verify information, compare and contrast various perspectives and become more independent."

Stevens, V. (2008). Trial by Twitter: The rise and slide of the year's most viral microblogging platform. TESL-EJ: Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language, 12(1). This article did not focus just on Connectivism or just on communities of practice but provided a clear example of both after my previous readings. If you think about the basic fundamental of twitter it would be easy to discount at first whether or not it would be successful. I'm sure along the way some may have even felt that it was a fad destined to fail or fade. Who would want to be limited to only one hundred and fifty characters to get out a complete thought and why would anyone be interested. Well right now according to this article twitter is the most popular microblogging tool that has existed. I found it interesting if you have read my previous articles especially about linguistics in communities of practice that twitter type has made its way into our everyday vernacular, such as saying hash tag in actual dictation. Interesting that a change in our speech and actions are indicators of belonging to a certain community of practice, much like how some groups say 'lol' instead of actually laughing out loud. This article draws these dots that are easily linked together to show Connectivism. The author spends time explaining when he "got" twitter, or when it dawned on him this is an excellent tool. From there he uses some great analogies to describe the connected world twitter produces for millions of users a day. My favorite quote from his article "To 'get' twitter, you have to have your finger on the pulse of what is pumping lifeblood through the Internet, and that is the people on it and how they come together (Connectivism), connect, and relate to one another (communities of practice) in virtual learning networks". (Stevens,2008)

I didn't realize Twitter had been around as long as it has - I also didn't know it's origins. Lost most of the social media sites it's changed a lot since the beginning!

Great post and I was cracking up at "The Twitter Curve" image. It gave a good explanation to me about what makes Twitter so powerful and its benefits but am also glad it touched on things to be leery of.

I chose to share this link for two reasons: 1) It describes communities of practice, ways to support CoPs through networking, social learning, and online identities. 2) It's presented via a wiki, which is a platform that embodies the spirit of SNL, CoPs and PLNs.

I found this site to be very informative in a brief way! I find sites such as this a nice way to get started on something...find out enough so you know where to go next!

I appreciate the comment in this wiki about communities of practice developing a common store of knowledge. When I first heard the term, communities of practice, a few years ago, I thought they were simply referring to a group of people with something in common, not necessarily a group with a common purpose or goal toward which they are actively working.

May try this for video blog post. I like that I can incorporate video and slides.

The iPad is the king of the mountain when it comes to school officials' current use of mobile technology, according to a new survey of district officials, who also offered their preferences for the kinds of apps they want to see in classrooms. More than 80 percent of district technology officials said districts use or plan to use iPads over the next year or two, according to the results released by Interactive Educational Systems Design, Inc.

David Weinberger ("Cluetrain Manifesto") was one of the recommended authors for further reading on Communities of Practice. The central premise of this book is that the digital era fundamentally changed how we store and reference information. In a physical storage based world, an book or article can only be filed in a single way. Digital materials can be filed in unlimited ways and thus enable a greater degree of connections to be made. The next generation of web search technology "semantic search" will tap into this.

Stephen Downes defends the ability of Connectivism to provide for instruction against some of the common critiques. He argues that many of the critics cite the lack of changes in educational institutions as proof that Connectivism is impractical. However, Downes believes we should not look at if the changes have happened, but what the outcomes would be if they did change. While he agrees the model can be chaotic, he asserts that it does not mean it can not be effective.

Great resource! Reading Sephen Downes takes me back to my Edtech 504 days! Two great points he makes about connectivism. 1."These arguments, it seems to me, are circular. They defend the current practice by the current practice." 2. "Saying that "can lead to some educational chaos" is therefore not a criticism of connectivism. " Each of these statements from the article are very profound and support well the fact that just because education has its issues doesn't mean the theories are wrong.

Found the google doc in particular very helpful. I made the argument in my blog entry this week that connectivism is in part hard to nail down because you have two ideological who are on similar (but not identical wavelengths). The only thing I am not sure I jive with is the whole "yes, you're going to be overwhelmed, but that's the modern world, deal with it" philosophy. Information filtering and search advances over the next several years are going to mitigate a lot more of this cognitive overload, I believe.

This is a link to a Pinterest Board regarding Personal Learning Networks by Eric Sheninger, I found the information very helpful and fun. I love looking at pictures to understand concepts! EDTECH543 Personal Learning Network

This is a Pinterest source used for PLNs that offers numerous resources for educators and personal learning networks.

I have yet to get into Pinterest, feel it might be a black hole for me. These are some great PLN pins. The images alone give you a good idea of ways you can build your PLE.

Prezi is a next-generation presentation tool that allows you to create animated presentations on a virtual canvas.

What is N-Gen Course Redesign™?

What is N-Gen Course Redesign™?

This resource is an image that shows the comparison between professional development for teachers in the past and currently through the use of profession learning networks.

I love this as I am a very visual learner. A great graphic - focus on the support, learn, engage and measure, and as a teacher who works in an international school the concept of PD is truly global. Excellent. Thanks Alexis -PLN buddy.

Solid graphic and one that actually focuses on teachers. A lot of the resources I found used businesses or government bodies as examples, but this is obviously more pertinent. Nice find.

The earliest recorded use of the concept of personal learning environments is by Goldstein and Miller in 1976. The next mention arises in 1998 when the first version of Future Learning Environment, a web-based learning environment designed to support learner and group centered work that concentrates on creating and developing expressions of knowledge, is mentioned. After that, the PLN begins to take off and becomes a common term.

Interactive infographics are the next level presentation tool. Here's a great example/infographic on inofgraphics. "Enjoy our HTML 5 interactive infographic that explains why infographics are so successful"

In this site, communities of practice are defined as "groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly." This seems very encompassing. It would include a group of friends that play a simple, addicting game on their smartphone. If this group of friends hangs out and discusses tips on how to do well in the game, boom: community of practice. At this point in my research, I'm surprised that there is so much literature produced to discuss something so simple. The value of a community of practice is clear: passionate, committed people doing something and learning from each other. But this has existed throughout human history, and is now labeled. Next, I'm going to search for who coined this term.

This video made by Brandy explains how much easier it is for students to engage with content and others when they have a digital space. Brandy goes on to talk about how easy it is to reach out to experts in a community. It goes beyond just the basic classroom interaction. She connects all of these concepts together nicely, whether she intended to or not. Students are in their own PLNs too, whether they're calling it that or not.

This short video includes visual images to accompany an overview of what connectivism is and what this learning theory looks like both in classrooms and the real-world. This video can provide a foundation to build upon as more research and understanding is conducted to further understand the theory.

I found this video to be very informative and a great resource to explain connectivism.

We are adopting a 1-1 initiative next year and my math team and I are looking for an online data base to help us differentiate. This is the best option that we have found and I like how individualized the learning can be!

This article from Sh!ft Learning explains the differences between Personal Learning Networks, PLCs, CoPs, and PLEs. Anyone unfamiliar to the terms/acronyms would find this article useful in discerning the differences. The article also gives several reasons for why PLNs are needed, and ways they can help educators grows personally and professionally.

Gutierrez defines what a PLN is, what does a PLN do, and what a PLN is not. Lastly, Gutierrez explains why building a PLN is increasingly important. A PLN is where educators can gather, collaborate, communicate, and share information anywhere or anytime. PLNs are formed through social media and across the world. They serve three purposes including connection building, connection maintenance, and connection activation. A PLN is not a CoP or PLE. A Community of Practice is with people that have the same profession, vs PLN connections are more informal. A Personal Learning Environment is much broader than a PLN. A PLN is within the PLE. PLNs help professional development, expanding your thinking, find answers and advice quickly, and stay up to date.

The business blog post defines and contrasts PLNs, CoPs, and PLEs. It discusses the importance of building a PLN. The post points out that connections in a PLN are intentional with the purpose of learning from the other person rather than just meeting by chance. Several good references are provided. Included is a nice illustration showing the relationships between PLNs and PLEs and Personal Web Tools.