Journal 7: My Personal Learning Network

A  PLN is a "personal learning network", it is a network of people interacting and sharing ideas that contribute to each others professional development and knowledge.  Using technology and internet  communication is done through social networking sites like Diigo, Facebook, blogs, and Twitter. 

Twitter is a social networking tool that allows users to send and read messages called "tweets". On Twitter I follow Teacherswithoutborders, edutopia, Betty Ray, and Lonna Baldree.  These groups and individuals have the same interests and focuses I do regarding education.  On March 27th I followed an educational chat, #edchat.  The topic of the chat was; What are the possibilities that open to us if we change observation model for teachers to a coaching model?  The chat was a bit overwhelming, hard to keep up with and follow the topic, some peoples posts were nothing to do with the topic so it seemed like many conversations were being followed.  A main point of the conversation seemed to focus on teacher observation and coaching.  The group went back and forth as to who is responsible for increasing effectiveness and how to go about giving feedback to a teacher.  Is the teacher responsible for seeking their own help, or is someone responsible for coaching the teacher even when the teacher doesn't want to improve.

Diigo is a social bokmarking site that allows users to bookmark and tag webpages as well as follow what other people bookmark and tag.  On Diigo I follow Graham Wegner and other educators like Kathy Schrock and Dan gibson who provide resources, tips, and information that I can use to build my PLN.  I can use diigo to follow groups like EduPln and Discovery Educator network which also provide me with resources like lesson plans and tutorials,and allow me to connect with people who can support my PLN.

I started following "The Educator's PLN" which is a ning site that supports educators and their personal learning networks.  On the site I watched a video by Thomas Whitby titled "Rip it Out-Dead Poets Society"  which focused on the idea that words are powerful and can change the world.  I agree with the video, there is no formula for poetry but rather a way to think creatively.