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The author does a great job of explaining the important role social media has had on education for all genders. Personal learning networks are key for educators to use so they are continuously learning strategies, methods, and techniques that will prepare students for future learning.

This video shows George Siemens describing connectivism in a conference setting. He describes the difference between the traditional systems of learning our students participate in where they hear and repeat content and what he terms a "meaningful" learning experience.

This is a YouTube video of George Siemens discussing his ideas about networks, connections, and social learning. Siemens suggests we should, "Emphasize connections... and not networks." If we wish to understand learning we need to understand how connections form, and why.

John Seely Brown is an amazing thinker! There is so much to read and watch on his website - he writes about 21st century education, including participatory learning and networks. His book "A New Culture of Learning" is superb.

Check out this dissertation study that analyzed Apple Distinguished Educators as a social media platform for personal learning and networking. Chapter 2 displays an excellent overview of literature related to social media and communities of practice. Eller, L. S. (2012). Social media as avenue for personal learning for educators: Personal learning networks encourage application of knowledge and skills (Order No. 3498101). Available from ProQuest Central. (925788703). Retrieved from http://libproxy.boisestate.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.libproxy.boisestate.edu/docview/925788703?accountid=9649

This website cleared up a few things about PLNs for me. It discusses how in vogue calling every meeting under the sun a "Professional Learning Community" can be for administrators, but it may just not be so. Also defined are Professional Learning Environments, "a PLE is a system that allows learners to create and manage their own online learning." This site is challenging those involved in education to build those close relationships and form true, genuine (not mandated) PLNs in order to better their practice.

Here is another blog that explains PLNs quite nicely. What I noticed about this one is that they actually discussed how it is based in the connectivism theory and got its roots from it.

I like how this article brings up that PLNs can be a form of professional development. In my time as a teacher, "professional development" has always meant meetings at school with special speakers or district leaders or other teachers giving a formal presentation. However, after reading this and other articles, I am realizing that there are so many ways I can work on my professional development outside of these formal settings.

This article discusses the four principles of learning: autonomy, connectedness, diversity, and openness. It also investigates how these principles and the theory of connectivism have been tested through MOOCs - massive open online courses.

@Ahallteacher Great share! Interesting to read how autonomy, diversity, connectedness, and openness appear in MOOCs.

Great article Allison! I like how it discusses MOOCs! I haven't seen many articles that have brought those up specifically and how those types of technology have been considered "testing ground".

This article reviews three PLN platforms: Edmodo, Classroom 2.0, and The Educator's PLN. They describe how teachers use the PLNs for learning, sharing, and communicating.

This article was written to compare the new-age learning theory Connectivism to the long-standing ideas of behaviorism, constructivism and others. Whether new or old, technology influences all theoretical viewpoints. Similar to communities of practices and networks, these theories are linked in many ways.

In this article Nicole Cooke, a Reference and Instruction Librarian encourages fellow librarians to keep abreast of the latest technology and the most current ways of seeking information so that they are prepared to help satisfy the needs of today's library patrons. She suggests that librarians prepare themselves for the evolving library patron by participating in professional development activities. In particular, Cooke advocates that librarians seek out the current educational opportunities that are available through various Web 2.0 applications. Cooke then moves on to describe how librarians can incorporate new learning opportunities into their day to day functions through the use of social media platforms such as blogs and wikis. Cooke ends the article by talking about personal learning networks and how librarians should take advantage of social media platforms to form connections with others in the field for professional growth.

I think this is a great article. I agree that anyone who is in education has to stay "savvy." I especially liked the comment "Maintaining competence and learning new skills must be at the top of every professional's "To Do" list. It is an ethical responsibility, to be sure, but also one that is pragmatic and critical for career success. [...] Continuing professional education is no longer an option, it is a requirement of professional practice. "

I am glad to see you posted a link to a PLN for librarians. I think understanding PLNs purpose and framework comes easier when it is viewed from a particular perspective (i.e. Librarians). I do think PLNs are particularly useful in the digital age with some much information and professional development resources readily available.

This article gives an overview of what Connectivism is and how learning happens in the digital age. Siemans describes the basic principles of how learning is a network of information sources referred to as "nodes." It doesn't describe how learning occurs within but how learners connect with the networked world of people and information.

Professional Learning Network (PLN) e-Course for Teachers

This article by Amy Chu on the Education in America website discusses how professional development has evolved from face to face interactions to online discussions. It lists some of the many websites used by teachers now to create these PLNs.

In this article, the author does some 'digging' in order to unearth the origins of PLNs

I like the use of the word "digging". It reminds me of onion metaphors where you peal back the layers to "reveal" the story. That is what I liked on this site, the different uses and definitions reveal what PLN's have been.

This paper looks at the patterns that emerge in the use of Personal Learning Networks. It tries to define language that is useful in considering these patterns.

This is an explanation of what a personal Learning Network is and how it can be effective.

While it is short, and doesn't offer much in the analysis or theory market, this article offers 4 additional resources for finding PLNs to join. Three of the four resources mentioned were new to me, but the information included about Twitter does help explain why the platform is great for PLNs (just in case anyone is knew to Twitter). One thing to note about these sources is that each is free and may also include a paid option for additional resources.

Although this article focuses largely on tips for setting up and using a PLN, I appreciated the brief introduction about PLNs, their basis in connectivism and how it really can improve us as professionals. The first tip also focuses on the need for engaging in the collaborative process which is central to the success of PLNs.

This article is awesome and I love the thoughtful advice that it provides for creating a professional learning network. It describes the fact that technology has taken over the world, making it much easier to connect with anyone around you. Communicating and interacting with others can be crucial for gaining information. Asking questions, participating often, and being polite are just a few suggestions provided for utilizing PLNs.

This Edutopia article explains what a PLN is, how they develop through thought, that PLNs are collaborative, what PLNs can do for you, and how to build a PLN. The article brings up three deterrents of PLNs for educators: PLN is a mindset, there is an overwhelming amount of techno-babble, and requires more digital literacy than a Google search. A good quote from this article is, "We must remember that lifelong learning requires effort." The article ends with a list of resources on PLNs.

Edutopia's article defines PLN and provides concrete ways for educators to establish one. While it addresses the barriers for mass adoption of PLN, the focus is to highlight the collaborative nature of PLN. It is this collaboration that allows for personal and professional growth.

This is yet another great and practical article. I especially like how the author outlined how we can each develop a PLN in 20 min/ day and gave some great suggestions for what we should do with those 20 minutes. 20 min/day feels very doable, even to someone new to PLNs or social media.

I thought that this personal learning network resource was a great fit for our class. This article discusses how schools are using social media to engage students and real-world relevance, for professional development, and school, district, and teacher collaboration. They used Twitter to document and share a paper tower challenge with schools and teachers from all over the world. Twitter was used to connect with experts and students got to see that not all scientists agree on certain topics. They also connected with the community.

I like that this article looks at how Twitter can be used for students and for educators. The idea of Twitter for educators as professional development fits very well with the ideas of COP's and PLN's. While I haven't been a true part yet of a structured Twitter session for PD, I have lurked in many formal PD discussions with hashtags for our public school system and benefitted from what I gleaned.

What an awesome video. It makes me excited to go back in August and really challenge myself to use Twitter or Facebook to showcase my students. Our school district uses a hashtag #bsdpride for teachers to showcase things going on around the district and it's starting to take off. It's awesome that teachers are encouraging each other to use Twitter and begin challenges that involve students. You can tell from this video how important these students feel when their work or projects re used on social media, and are getting attention from other schools.