Personal Learning Networks have proliferated across the web, and no more so than in the field of education. Everyone has different reasons and strategies for getting involved or starting a PLN, so what might those be? Using stories from the Library's PLN programs combined with group discussion about what PLNs are and what they do, this presentation will shed light on how becoming a networked educator can be a liberating learning experience.
3. Why a PLN?
Web
Digital publishing
Social media services
Rich media streaming
Mobile learning
Cloud services
Game-based learning
Collaborative learning
‘You are what you share.’
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12426416@N00/6042984689
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4. What is our PLN history?
VicPLN
23 Things – Web 2.0
Libraries
Personal learning
Building networks
SLAV partnership
Blogging
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5. What’s in our PLN program?
VicPLN
Unit design
Information & resources
Materials & tools
Questions & Answers
Discussion - webinars
Personal contact
Support
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6. What’s driving PLNs?
Information
Scarcity – Abundance
Inter-linked
Being informed – learning
Clarity and connection
10. Activity 1: My favourite thing
TASK
Each person must share a favourite
resource. The table must then
nominate one resource to share
with the whole group.
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11. How do networks work?
Systems
Absorption
Expulsion
Propulsion
Proximity
Ripples
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44992294@N05/4261304925
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13. What does the web look like?
http://internet-map.net/
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14. What value do PLNs offer?
Communication
Portable
Trusted sources
Speed
Information complexity
Patterns not pieces
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2502/4012030328_e9eecd8a57.jpg
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15. How does search work for a PLN?
Search
Search knowing it exists
AUTHENTICATION
Search knowing if it exists
VERIFICATION
How do you Google?
Communities & conversations
Finding & feeding
Serendipity & discovery
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4945177655_154b274760.jpg
16. How do communities of interest work?
Apophenia
‘Making connections where
none previously existed’
Danah Boyd
Meaningful patterns
Seeing connections
Authorship & authority
DECENTRALISED
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49503165485@N01/5387961900
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18. Activity 2: Is it the right tool for the job?
TASK
Each table has a PLN tool to
evaluate.
What could it be used for?
What networks does it link to?
What problems could arise?
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19. What tools are needed?
Teachers do not need more tools –
you are the carpenters of learning.
Build and create.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37921614@N00/3312115991
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20. How do tools work for a PLN?
Tools
Facebook – Groups & Pages
Twitter – Hashtags & Lists
Google+ - Communities & Hangouts
Webinars: Collaborate, Teacher 2.0
Social bookmarking: Diigo,
Delicious, Evernote, Pinterest
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/97/207102084_79747d8a40.jpg
21. What makes PLNs vibrant?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2507/3773116901_35e2eba130.jpg
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22. Where are the experts?
An expert is
reading
reacting
repeating
reflecting
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45940879@N04/6101914287
23. How might a PLN help education?
Curriculum Capabilities
Literacy & numeracy
Intercultural understanding
Ethical understanding
ICT capability
Personal & social capability
Critical & creative thinking
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10504927@N08/4252355555
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24. What kinds of other PLNs are emerging?
Open-source teaching
MOOCs: Coursera, edX
Khan Academy
Teachers pay teachers
User pays
User wisdom
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25. Activity 3: What ingredients are needed for a PLN?
TASK
Your team is creating a PLN
experience.
What do you add in?
What do you leave out?
How do you sustain it?
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26. What is a New Culture of Learning?
John Seely-Brown
The web is a participatory medium
Constantly changed & shaped by
participation
Vast resources: motivation &
boundaries
Imagination
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23760200@N04/3182820590
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27. What do people in the VicPLN say?
PLN Participant Survey
90% reported the PLN changed their professional practice, 69% said
it changed it somewhat or completely
73% reported a sense of substantial personal progression
93% would recommend the course to colleagues
73% felt excited or passionate about the course
90% reported a sense of having learned
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28. What do people in the VicPLN say?
“I am finding this course to be
of great benefit to both my
knowledge and also my
confidence.”
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29. What do people in the VicPLN say?
“It's very affirming to know that
through the technology, the
machinery and cyberspace, the
human thread can connect,
stimulate and inspire.”
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30. What do people in the VicPLN say?
“I have been introduced to
many new tools; it has been a
really satisfying and
productive experience.”
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31. Where might PLNs take us?
Relationshift
Technology is the weapon of mass
(differentiated) instruction
The creativity (wisdom) of the crowd
New evolving from old
Goyte – Somebodies – YouTube Orchestra
32. What’s next?
Play, explore, engage
Find the platforms or services that suit you
Find the communities that support or inspire you
Have fun!
Any questions?
@SLVLearn on Twitter
Bright Ideas blog: http://slav.global2.vic.edu.au/
Bright Ideas Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/brightideasblog
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