Activity 11: Creating a Personal Learning Network

Purpose

This activity is a long term activity because the purpose of the activity is to have you experience a professional learning network by creating one for yourself. You will have the choice of how you do this, but we will give you some ideas. The following read is not all mandatory - you can read it selectively. Read with a view to the activity that follows - you will be required to set up a Personal Learning Network.

Click here for a brief introductory video on Personal Learning Networks. (online)

Building a Personal Learning Network (PLN) Using Social Media

Have a look at EdTechSandyK's blog. Note the following:

• Click on her Prezi presentation and learn about building a PLN using social media.
• Notice the ways to connect to Sandy.
• Click on her profile and see how many blogs she is following.

SchoolNet SA blog

Notice the following:

• How this blog links to Twitter, SchoolNet's YouTube page, Slideshare, Diigo.
• Explore the Diigo link.
• Find "Highlights from the Teachmeet" (in the December 2011 archive) and consider the value of TeachMeets as an offline social network.

Beginners Guide to Twitter

Twitter Guide Book – How To, Tips and Instructions

This blog is about how you can use Twitter, but especially how you can use it to invite more people to your blog.

So now you are wondering about Twitter. Here are two related articles from Edutopia.

Twittering, Not Frittering: Professional Development in 140 Characters

How to Use Twitter to Grow Your PLN (more recent, practical guide)

Read more relevant details about twitter in Twitter for Educators. Remember that with twitter you will only be heard if people know about you and decide to follow you. If you follow others and tweet regularly you will build your own network in time.

In case social networking community sites interest you here are two articles on Facebook and Google Plus:

HOW TO: Use Facebook for Professional Networking

Self / networking activity 11

1. Having explored the above reading, decide on your strategy for improving your Personal Learning Network (PLN).
2. Set up whatever you need to in order to "kick off" your Personal Learning Network.
3. Write a message to your group and other colleagues and share what you have done, providing the relevant information that would enable your friends and colleages to join your PLN.
4. Write concluding and reflective comments in your blog.