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This webpage from the US Department of Education describes how Communities of Practice can improve education.

SUMMARY: The DOE gets behind CoPs as potential answer for achievement gap and underperforming teachers and leaders. Money, time, and resources were thrown at this initiative to see if online CoPs could become the missing link in the instructional shortcomings. Citing examples of success, one is drawn and intrigued to look further at the project as we are now 2 years later.

Finding and researching CoP sites I came across the Department of Education's answer on the Communities of Practice within education. The Department of Education has added the communities of practice within an initiative called the Investing in Innovation along with a series of other initiatives.

This article from the University of Illinois describes in depth a PLN and discusses why teachers need to have one online. It also discuses getting your students to build their own.

I think that this is a great idea. Teachers need to model the behavior so that students can see appropriate behavior. Teachers will also be prepared to recognize when students are delving into places that might be dangerous for them and can even teach best practices to students from a wealth of experience.

Great set of slides. Gives a good overview of the benefits of Personal Learning Networks and simple ways to create one. It seems that the intended audience was teachers, but I think this would be especially useful for instructors to share with their students. The link to the Will Richardson youtube interview was very interesting and thoughtful. I had never heard of him before, but his remarks were quite insightful.

Modeling and helping students learn about Internet safety is the responsibility of every adult in our students' lives, including teachers in all subject areas and parents at home. As adults learn more about wise online behavior and build awareness of our own digital footprints, we must continue to share and openly discuss these issues with the young people in our classrooms and homes.

This is a chapter from a book. It discusses how technology is just a vehicle to help deliver their knowledge. The authors state that a learner can learn from their technologies if they use those technologies to their greatest ability.

Edudemic is more than just an educational technology website. For students and teachers it's a one-stop-shop for forums, articles, ideas, and resources on everything technology. Edudemic is explorable by topics such as How-To, Tools, or Online Learning. Or browse through the videos collection for amazing examples of teaching and learning. Have a great idea or story to tell? Try submitting a post to Edudemic for a global audience. Grades 6-12. Tip: The All Topics word-cloud allows users to quickly see what's trending in educational technology. Click through and explore!

Guy Merchant looks at learning through participation in online communities that might be able to be described as communities of practices or affinity spaces.

There is an introduction you could possibly skip, though I learned some new things about Downes I did not previously know. If you are skipping, go to the 5:10 minute mark and start when Downes comes online. He addresses the Symantic Condition (where meaning comes from networks) and being a highly connected learner in context of Connectivism and for me seeing that correlation made an impact. He uses the group to whom he is presenting to get answers to questions he poses. He poses that a successful network is one that is dynamic and an unsuccessful network is a static, non-moving network.

World's largest and most advanced online repository of math and science simulations for grades 3-12. Research-proven, inquiry-based learning tools for teachers and students. Web-based for anytime, anywhere learning.

A short, engaging YouTube video on defining Personal Learning Networks.

I really enjoy the simplicity of this video while at the same time the depth of understanding it gives in such a brief period of time. For me this video really drives home the effectiveness technology can have in presenting potentially overwhelming information in a very easy to understand manner.

In my opinion, the key words of this video are "what", because you choose what to share, "where" and "when" to do it. It is brief but powerful. Thanks Melodie for sharing it!

An amusement park of math and more... Lessons and games designed for fun! Bored with math? Confused by math? Hate math? Yeah, Coolmath can fix that. Totally dig math? Want to learn more math? Want to get ahead in math? Want to play some cool math games?

Learn about creating classroom rules for diverse groups. This two-week online course helps participants learn how Thinkfinity's social network can benefit educators. (one graduate credit) Iron Worker's Hard Hat, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Experience the events of September 11, 2001.

A comprehensive resource to visually explore the systems of the human body in highly vivid detail. vAnatomy is your comprehensive resource to study the entire human body. With over 3000 highly detailed diagrams and descriptions- vAnatomy has the most comprehensive human anatomical study information available!

DreamBox is PreK-8 math solution driven by a technology that's as unique as the students and educators who need it, love it, and use it to go to the next level. For district, school, classroom, and home use.

Skype offers some unique opportunities for tech-savvy teachers to get their students learning in exciting new ways.

High quality educational online games, categorized according to educational standard, grade level, and academic content. Free to play games cover math, science, problem solving, and cognitive skills.