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| image credit: larc.sdsu.edu |
1. Do class quick check.
2. Do your takeaways from class this week on your google doc.
3. Read the "What is RSS?" post and complete the activity explained there.
4. There are dozens of videos on the web with people talking about what a PLN is and how it has transformed their learning and teaching. I watched dozens of them trying to find one that captured what I wanted to convey without a bunch of academic jargon or theoretical rhetoric...the one I settled on is very simplistic (it's actually a slideshow turned into video) but articulates thoughts from dozens of actual teachers that took a survey about their own PLNs last year. You can either watch the slideshow here at Youtube (4 min.) OR read the same information on this blog. Then take a minute and scan through the actual results of the PLN survey here paying particular attention to the last column "why is your PLN important to you?"
Respond to this question in the comment section of this post:
What did you find interesting or notable about these teachers' comments? Share your thoughts.
6 comments:
There is a wealth of information available using RSS. It connects teachers in subject areas globally. As I read about it a few questions came to mind that I have always wondered about. The foreign exchage students we have had at Bedford do not use the graphing calculator in the math classroom why? In the last year I asked 4 recent High School Graduates if they were allowed to use the graphing calculator in Calculus, 3 out of 4 said no, why. I could use PLN to find out why. Lastly, I am always looking for projects for my students that apply what we have learned and connect it to the "real world" I think PLN's may be what I need to get some ideas.
I agree with dostas that you can use PLN to discover ways of applying what we learn in class with real world applications. Having this unlimited information makes things that I am teaching more exciting. For example, I have always done a lab where students find the %of sugar in bubblegum however I was able to find online an article about a 12 year old that stuck gum to a 1.5 million dollar painting at the Detroit Institude of Art. Not only did students get to see the painting but it opened a plethera of topics that resulted in more projects and labs that the students wanted to do and were excited about doing.
The thing that impresses me is that you can talk to a wide variety of experts on the fields that you are interested in. Not are you only talking to experts, you are also talking to them on your time and pace.
Another thing that I like is that from an educational standpoint is that you can find different people who communicate in a style that fits you as an individual.
The idea of having a "fire hose of information" from professionals who share similar interests at my finger tips is definitely appealing. With a "learning community" as such, the possibilities for both personal and professional growth is astounding. Furthermore, the implications of how this can (and will) affect student learning is staggering.
PLN teachers find them supportive a great resource and a good place to share and receive information. using PLN'S increases learning potential helps keep teacher current and saves time. A great spot for support from other teachers and easy to give and receive assistance. It would be great to have all the departments in a school sharing on PLN its easy to access can be done at home or work and keeps everyone talking and working together. A place to share and learn together.
As noted in earlier posts, PLN's offer a supportive environment where teachers from all over can share ideas and keep up-to-date. Even though we have teachers right next door to us in school, being a classroom teacher can sometimes be an isolationg experience. We just don't have time to roam around and chat with each other. A PLN offers us that opportunity on our own time. Some people on the survey also discussed how much they learned using these sources. They find them more valuable than formal university instruction. With a student teacher right now, I can attest to that. I'm amazed at all the busy-work these kids are assigned, when they could be learning/creating real life activities that they will actually be able to use once they land a job.
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