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This article highlights the importance a personal learning network can have on the success of a teacher. Like Mrs.Wendt this article stresses a PLN as a vital tool to help learn from others and become a better teacher to your students, which we all are striving to be in the future. The article gives 5 reasons why educators should network. They are, learn with others, serve your students, access a dynamic resource, extend your learning base and to stay engaged in education.

This is a very great article, I think that networking with other teachers is how you truly become a great teacher. If teachers did not network and talk to each other they would only know what they were taught in college and not have any hands on experience from other teachers who may have been there for a long time. I also believe in staying in touch with others through social media, it is a great resource.

This article is very enlightening and describes how important it is to network with other teachers. Now that you connect virtually connect with anyone in the world at anytime, its makes it much easier to gain insight from other teachers no matter where they are located.

This valuable article by Nicole Krueger explores five tips on how to develop a professional learning network amongst fellow educators from all around the world. Michelle has stressed to us in class how so many teachers have "discovered these vibrant learning communities" through means of networking sites such as Pinterest, Twitter, Edmodo, Diigo, Google Classroom, and much more. This assignment, of bookmarking and sharing information, epitomizes the importance of this article as we are enabling one another to grow from each other's ideas.Thus, I think for our class and other educators alike it is important to "dedicate time for networking, joining networks, attending conferences and edcamps, sharing ideas, and asking connected educators for help." The ability of such vast wealths of knowledge to be shared globally between many teachers can only implicate stronger connections and better points of reference for all educators in the future. 

A justification and practice of teacher blogging for developing a personal learning network. An interesting read for pre-service teachers and teachers who are seeking a rationale for blogging. This blog post also points to best practices in blogging such as the use of grammar and the citation of images or use  of images from wikimedia commons.

A justification and practice of teacher blogging for developing a personal learning network. An interesting read for pre-service teachers and teachers who are seeking a rationale for blogging. This blog post also points to best practices in blogging such as the use of grammar and the citation of images or use  of images from wikimedia commons.

This extension allows users to spell check and grammar check while typing online. Online language can be informal and incorrect. This extension allows for clear purposeful langauge on social media, email, professional networks and more.

Shannon, I really like how this not only checks spelling and grammar, but also suggests word selection mistakes. This can be really helpful!

This extension allows users to spell check and grammar check while typing online. Online language can be informal and incorrect. This extension allows for clear purposeful langauge on social media, email, professional networks and more.

The article talks about the importance in keeping up with technology. They believe that people, such as teachers and programs would be "silly" to not stay update with the new technological systems, because that is the way our future is learning and growing. The talk about teachers teaching teachers, stating The Teacher Leadership Project, a nationally recognized, award-winning professional development model that is used in 18 states by 4,200 teachers, is a prime example of the good work being done in technology-infused teaching. "The whole '21st century' mindset is more than technology itself. It's the confidence teachers have to effectively use it in class."

This article outlines new improvements for teacher professional development, involving newer technology upgrades.  One key point of the article was the passing of the Enhancing Education Through Technology, or (EETT) state grant program, which includes a $650 million stimulus package to upgrade technology in classrooms across the country.  Funding is also provided to train the teachers to properly use the technology to its fullest capacity, this way educators can have confidence using these new tools.

Today students are expected to learn analytical skills for preparation for work and life in the 21st century. Teachers are expected to teach way that develops those skills. President Obama and congressional leaders included 650 million dollars. 25% had to be used to buy the most updated technology for students. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) states "It would be "silly" not to keep up with the changes of the world today" National Staff Development Council says we have failed as a nation to meet highly effective professional learning. Today 18 states (4,200 teachers) were recognized for technology integration in the classrooms. Enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies (eMINTS) is a program that aims to create classrooms where all students are motivated to succeed, build enthusiasm and creativity. eMINTS trained 3,500 teachers and 300 administrators since its formation in 1999. In the 21st century student will have a difficult time succeeding without technology. The article states "Technology integration in the end, is not really about technology, but rather the life skills it instills in students and teachers."

Technology integration is the use of technology resources like computers, mobile devices like and tablets, digital cameras, social media platforms and networks, software applications, the Internet, and so on in daily classroom practices, and in the management of a school. This article discusses the successful ways you can incorporate this into the classrooms for your students.

This article has many different points and examples of technology integration. They start off by defining technology and quoting "Effective integration of technology is achieved when students are able to select technology tools to help them obtain information in a timely manner, analyze and synthesize the information, and present it professionally. The technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions -- as accessible as all other classroom tools." When effectively integrated into the curriculum, technology tools can extend learning in powerful ways. The article also brushes up on types of technology integration, such as online learning, blended classrooms, project based activities incorporating technology, game based learning and assessment, Learning with Mobile and Handheld Devices, Instructional Tools like Interactive Whiteboards and Student Response Systems, Web-Based Projects, Explorations, and Research, Student-Created Media like Podcasts, Videos, or Slideshows, Collaborative Online Tools like Wikis or Google Docs, Using Social Media to Engage Students, and the levels of technology.

I like that this article is very detailed in how to effectively use technology in the classroom. According to the article, technology incorporation should be seamless, second-nature. The way we use pen and paper today should be the way technology is used. We don't stop to think about how to use the pen and paper in a class; ideally, the same thing should be happening in blended classrooms.