Developing your PLN in 2009

It's that day when people make their New Year's resolutions.

For many teachers, one achievable target is to extend their PLN, or PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORK.
That is easier than ever now thanks to the rise of the "social web", and websites such as TWITTER.

I have just been putting together a presentation for PGCE colleagues at Sheffield University (and later on UEA - and possibly some others...) and one section provides some suggestions for these new teachers to extend their PLN as they complete their course.

Here's a sneak preview (well, the title slide) - more to come later....

Here is a definition of PLNs, from 

Throughout history, humans have always created our own learning networks. When we needed to know how to do something, we sought out the expert in that field and they shared their knowledge. For example, hunters knew who to talk to about the latest in hunting techniques. Farmers knew who to talk to regarding the latest in agricultural technology practices. (And students could talk to their brilliant teachers!) Now we have the Internet to access more information about whatever we need to know. However, now there is not necessarily a need anymore to find “the” expert in a field of study. Instead, we need to create our own network of experts, our own Personal Learning Network.

What is a Personal Learning Network? 

It is a collection of resources that you can go to when you want to learn something. This includes family and friends, teachers, and people in the local community. It can also include non-human resources, such as books, journals and other forms of media. In the twenty first century, there’s also an extensive electronic network of resources that you can – and should – include in your network. 

What is in your PLN ?

Comments

Simon said…
Hi Alan,

Have you seen this?

http://suewaters.wikispaces.com/

Sue is well worth following, she's great!

Just been appointed PGCE / ITT co coordinator at our school. Saw this the other day via twitter and is going to come in very handy!
Alan Parkinson said…
Thanks Simon - that is a useful link indeed...
When I first read the comment I read it as SUE being appointed PGCE co ordinator (which would have been quite a change from working in Australia...) but realise now that YOU have been appointed to the job, which is great news...
Best of luck for 2009 !