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SimCityEDU: Pollution Challenge, an educational version of the popular city-building video game, is a known quantity in a fresh wave of serious learning games that bridge the gap between instruction and assessment. These multimedia tools provide teachers with better assessment tools than written exams.

In this study, the role of a PLN using Twitter in a teacher preparation program. Teachers who were already using Twitter found that the power of Twitter as a PLN came not from the sharing of resources, but from the collaboration and conversations of other educators. Many new teachers were initially hesitant to use Twitter as a PLN, but with virtual mentors and an explanation as to the power of a PLN, new educators were more likely to use it as a powerful tool to develop their teaching practice.

I found this study particularly interesting as recently read a blog post by Etienne and Bev Wenger about whether or not colleges are utilizing the ideas of community of practice in their teacher prep programs. The findings of the study are not particularly surprising, teachers are hesitant to use Twitter but find the collaboration worthwhile. Both control groups were graduate students, I would be interested to find out if this is being implemented in any capacity at the undergrad level.

This study discusses the concept of using PLNs during teacher preparation programs. It discusses how newer teachers are more hesitant to use social media like Twitter and do not understand how valuable the tool can be. The studies findings emphasizes how PLNs promote professional development and allow for instant feedback through conversations and collaboration. The study also discusses how some teachers are hesitant at first, which I think is common thread for new and veteran teachers.

I wanted to know more about the difference between a personal learning network and a personal learning environment. This article does a great job of breaking down the differences even though they obviously work hand in hand.

What I love about this source is the section that discusses why PLEs are significant - I love how it talks about how it is student-driven. It is up to the learner to be in charge of their own learning path and provides authentic learning opportunities. With the creation of 2.0 tools, educators are able to differentiate to different learners with the creations of these tools and pairing students that are in the same skill-set or have similar interests for them to learn information and assist in making connections.

I like this source and how it explains PLEs, why they are important, who they are for, and even the downsides to them. It makes it an easy read and easy to find the information you are looking for. I also like how it includes a case study to align with the information that is given.

Website administered by the USDA to educate all about the food pyramid. Contains tons of great tools for teachers, kids and parents.

Voki is a great tool to engage students and enrich learning. This is a free service.

Since launched as a consumer product, Moviestorm has been used not only in film studies, but also extensively by visionary educators as a cross-curriculum tool that promotes engaging and collaborative teaching and learning. As a result, they now offer a range of affordable licenses designed specifically for the technical requirements of modern day schools and colleges.

Jing allows you to make a short video of what you see on your computer monitor, recording your voice as you click away. Excellent for creating "how to" videos, this tool has a free educational version with quite a bit on online space to store what you create!

A collection of Web 2.0 tools to use for education and learning.

Special Issue - Connectivism: Design and Delivery of Social Networked Learning: This article supports the idea that Web 2.0 tools help teacher connect with wider educational communities to enhance their own professional development.

two free websites that can be used to create jeopardy-style games

Resources to check student work for plagiarism and ensure they are following AUP's.

Lists a variety of apps and websites to enhance presentations

HSTRY is a free digital learning tool which promotes collaboration and engagement in the classroom.

Links to a number of different websites and online tools that can be integrated into arts and music instruction at a number of different levels.

This site contains a solid overview of the tools available in G Suite, one of the best basic suite providers.

This wiki page from Knowledge Sharing takes an in-depth look at the use of CoP in International Development and provides an extensive list of examples to provide greater understanding of CoP and its uses.

This was a great find Natalie! I especially like the idea that the resource presents when it states that it is tempting to mandate these communities but that they can better be nurtured by continuing existence. I connect this to my own classroom and the work I do throughout the beginning of the school year where I'm constantly arranging their groups to help them develop their communication and group skills but then allow them to form their own groups as the year progresses and I find that, for the most part, they gravitate to individuals that they work best with. I really liked the infographic on where to start as well. I think this is a great go to visual for utilizing CoPs.

This online toolkit offers a brief and well-organized overview of communities of practice (CoP). It begins with a short description and follows with the history CoPs. It then offers a bulleted list of when to utilize CoPs and even provides further advice on how-to use. This site was particularly helpful in that it also offers tips and lessons learned from others as well as examples, stories, and other resources. Overall, it is organized and affords users a plethora f information on Communities of Practice.

In this video interview of Professor of Educational Technology, Alec Couros, he speaks to the importance of connections and connected learning. He mentions George Siemens asking the question, "What endures?" He points out that basically what it comes down to is the relationships formed as a result of the tools used. It's not about the number of connections, but the quality and meaningfulness of the connections. He also speaks to the importance of contributing to others' learning and making it visible.

Thanks for sharing this Kim! The discussion of connectionism in relation to identifying, "What endures?" is very interesting. This highlights the importance of growth through the formation and maintenance of connections.

This article discusses how Connectivism, focuses on that people learn through connections of social and cultural interactions. Every single source is a "node" which interacts with another to become a channel of shared information. In higher education, learning is viewed as a process that continually develops. The use of Twitter is a tool which allows students to share knowledge with each other

This was an interesting article about using Twitter though the lens of Connectivism. I thought it was interesting that as first, they thought it failed. But soon they said they created "a place to test our knowledge and facts" and that the class had "formed a learning network, where each one was tweeting a chunk of information." What a great outcome and a lesson that learning is a process, not an event.

The authors state the the use of blogs as aggregators for student Personal Learning Networks (PLN) is an effective tool to help organize the many fascists of unique environments. They point out that in order for students to successfully create and use their own PLNs there must first be a successful example by an instructor for the students to model. They point out that although students may be using several of the tools that will ultimately comprise their PLNs, it is a fallacy to assume that students inherently understand the power and connectedness of these environments.

This article explores connectivism as a learning theory, then discusses how to use personal learning networks in your communities of practice. The author quotes from many experts in communities of practice and connectivism. Much detail was given to blogging.

Although this article is focused specifically on public affairs education, it is relevant to all learners. The author discusses professional learning networks as methods to connect and build communities of practice. Using personal experiences teaching a college course, the author's creation of communities of practice took learning for students to the next level.