What is a PLN????

8/26/2012

A professional learning network (PLN) is simply a network of people that are in your profession that you learn something from. The nice thing about technology is that you can very easily have people in your PLN from all over the country. There is no outline for what a PLN must look like. My PLN consists of Facebook, Twitter, blogs, message boards, Youtube, podcasts, social bookmarking, Pinterest, and even email. I use each form of technology in a different way as well. Facebook tends to be for the people I am friends with in real life that also happen to teach or be involved in music or technology. Twitter and blogs are almost totally people I have ever met face to face but do a fantastic job of sharing information that is useful to me in my classroom or other aspects of my professional life. Hashtags come in very handy on Twitter as a way to find information that you might find useful. Youtube is a wonderful place to find all kinds of videos for teachers doing something you would like to try in your room or even to learn more about the SMART Board. Social bookmarking is still part of my PLN I am trying to develop. I use Diigo for my social bookmarking and we have a Diigo group just for this class. I post information in the group that will be useful to you as member of this class but is not the assigned material. Just this summer Pinterest became a part of my music PLN. At this point it pin things from people I know and I have not branched out more then that. I have used one of the things I pined in class and I l Below are some other blog posts on PLN. Please read at least four of them and then post about how you are already using a PLN and how you can extend your PLN.

PLNs Aren't Limited to Twitter - Free Technology For Teachers The Best Guides For Helping

Teachers Develop Personal Learning Networks - Larry Ferlazzo (This link has lots of different post)

Hooked on Social Bookmarking with Delicious - Cindy Danner-Kuhn

Pinterest: A Beginner’s Guide to the Hot New Social Network - Cindy Danner-Kuhn

The Best Guides To Figuring Out Pinterest - Cindy Danner-Kuhn

Tweet Deck - Hilary Myers

Building a PLN

48 Comments

Michelle Unnerstall

8/27/2012 10:45:56 am

I am alreadying using a PLN by using Facebook to talk with other teachers. I also use pinterest to gather resources for teaching. I am addictied to the website and have used some of the things in my classroom already. I have also started to bookmark websites that I find benefical. I am interested in trying out blogging and the twitter that we set up to interact with other educators. I may also start watching webinars on Whole Brain Teaching. My school had a conference with them and I would love to learn more through their webinars. I also thought Teacher Tube would be fun and interesting to upload videos from your students and see other videos from other students! I never knew there was these wonderful things available until looking over this information! It's interesting!

Angie Richardson

8/28/2012 04:33:03 am

I am also obsessed with Pinterest. It is great for classroom lesson planning and organization. I use it for ideas at home too. I have never heard of Teacher Tube but definately plan to check that out.

Angel Massie

8/31/2012 02:06:26 am

Angie,

I have said this several times on this blog post, but I am a pinterest addict! I love finding all of the resources and getting new ideas from fellow teachers!

Twitter, however is a new endeavor for me. I am actually really nervous about it because I haven't "wrapped my brain around" how it all works and what people actually see....it is my underestanding that anything you tweet is for the world of twitter to see... not sure about that in a personal realm, but professionally it could be useful to get information and ideas from other professionals.

Daniel Simmons

8/29/2012 10:25:59 am

Teacher Tube is a great resource for teachers. While pursuing my undergrad, I discovered many interesting and fun lessons for students. I think that these are a great way for teachers to bring new ideas to a classroom and to observe their students. Teacher Tube also allows one to upload his or her own lessons, as I did for one of my classes. Another great source, similar to Teacher Tube is http://www.youtube.com/education. There are many great ideas for Science and Math teachers on this website that can enhance lessons in the classroom. It is similar to a teacher’s convention, but it is more convenient as you can access the webpage online. A cool idea that I saw for the middle school science classroom was making Elephant Toothpaste. If anyone has an interest in that experiment please follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N0m95PExHY. For people interested in other fields of education, there are many more lessons that you can apply to your own classroom.

Michelle Unnerstall

8/29/2012 03:07:49 pm

Daniel--I will tottally have to check out the youtube.com/education. I had no idea that was available. I would love some help on math lessons that I have a hard time explaining.

Kristi Harms

8/30/2012 04:45:44 am

Teacher Tube sounds like a great resource. I am definitely going to look into it as well. Since I am pursuing teaching as a second occupation, this would be a great source of information and help with lesson ideas and planning. The collaboration of resources and ideas is just amazing and are neverending it seems.

Becky Rose

8/30/2012 11:52:49 am

Hi Daniel,

I've never heard of Teacher Tube. It sounds interesting. I think I'll have to check it out. I'm also not familiar with youtube.com/education; although, I'm not surprised, because youtube is a great source for training and educational info. I just watched the elephant toothpaste video and it was really cool! I can see where kids would really love that experiment.

Scot Davis

9/1/2012 01:33:12 am

I have never heard of Teacher Tube until I read it on this page. I am going to be a Math teacher starting just this spring semester with student teaching. I will be looking into this service for ideas because you have recommended it. I love the fact that it is more video based and not just text based.

Angel Massie

8/31/2012 01:54:37 am

Michelle, I am pinterest addict as well! I have already utilized many ideas that I have found on my friend's boards for this school year! I have to "reward" myself with pinterest time or I will spend too much time sifting through all of the great resources!

Twitter is not something I am very familiar with so I am anxious to delve into the Twitter world! Facebook took me a good two years to get used to, so I am sure Twitter will be a slow go for me at first, as well!

Teacher Tube is something I THINK I have already utilized when looking for things in the area of Common Core. I plan on looking into that area more as I have to present information to my collegues quite often on differnt things for a variety of reasons...

Aaron Schroeder

8/27/2012 11:53:46 am

There are many ways in which I have used professional learning networks (PLN). The truth is, like many of us, I have been using a PLN for years and never realized there was a name for it. I thought it was called being a conscientious teacher.

I have collaborated with colleagues from my district as well as the conference, worked with STAR teachers through professional development, teamed up with our Newspapers in Education representative, used the internet to include media from YouTube and Netflix, read various forums/websites, retrieved worksheets and lesson plans from online clubs and organizations, and even “liked” certain clubs on Facebook.

As I read over the information and links provided by Mrs. Myers, I was introduced to many websites and internet tools. Some I envisioned benefiting my career through developing public relations, but never really viewed them as a tool to improve my effectiveness in the classroom. After reading these links, I will admit, I am still struggling to fully understand the language used in Twitter (even though I think I finally caught on to what a hash tag is).

Pinterest is a network that I can already see how I can utilize it in my class. Every summer, my family and I go on some sort of vacation, and being the type of guy that I am, I always see things that I can use in my classroom to bring History alive. I usually take a few and pictures and the pictures sit in a digital file and rarely get used. If I put those pictures on Pinterest via my IPhone (amazed that it isn’t compatible with Androids), I would be more apt to use them. I could also find others who have similar interests and share pictures with a network of people. Granted, some of these pictures can be found on Google Images, but sometimes it is hard to find exactly what you are looking for using that method.

Another site I came across on a voyage of following link after link was http://www.wordle.net . Though I am not exactly sure how I will incorporate this, I can definitely see my students seeing this as being fun.

The first link I followed for this blog assignment was the one including the “Sketchy Explanation: Starting a PLN” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqSH5TMYlz4&feature=player_embedded . At the tail end of this video, it asks “How do my relationships make me a better teacher” and the first thing that came to mind was how you can fill a room full of teachers and most all of them will instantly feel connected with each other and begin sharing their experiences. Using technology to make sure you are always “in a room full of teachers” makes a lot of sense.

Lauren Robb

8/29/2012 08:53:12 am

Sounds like you know what your talking about on the technology side of things. My mom and sister are both educators and they use pinterest like crazy. I agree and think it gives excellent ideas such as lots of creative crafts, writing prompts, and reading stratagies for teachers. I think once you get the hold of twitter you will find it useful as well. Almost all professional groups have a twitter acount and lots of journals will have accounts you can follow which could lead to other websites and articles that may come in handy.

Lauren Robb

8/28/2012 02:14:02 am

The PLN's I primary use would be twitter, facebook, and pinterest. For the most part I use them socially. On twitter however I do follow several professinal soccer players and other sports teams which I get inspirational quotes from or videos to show to teams I work with. Facebook has changed quite a bit since I first got it and know I think it's very business and fan based. Which is still great I love being able to "like" my favorite restaurants and claim coupons but I don't use it socially as much as I did in the past. I think in the future to increase my PLN usage I like the idea of the delicious website where you could save your URLs and favorite sites. I want to start subscribing to more blogs that have to do with soccer or coaching as well.

Angie Richardson

8/28/2012 11:50:56 am

Until reading this blog post I had never heard of the term PLN. Although I suppose I have been a part of a professional learning network for years. First there was facebook. I initially used facebook for connecting with distant family and classmates but the past few years I have became friends with fellow teachers both near and far. I have also subscribed to pages such as Teach Preschool and Own a Daycare on facebook. On these pages other teachers and childcare providers post daily ideas and questions. It is a great way to network and learn new ideas in my field of teaching. Then I found Pinterest and it was love at first site. The wealth of information for teachers is priceless. I am always pinning and then using ideas in my classroom. My husband wishes I wouldn't browse Pinterest quite so often as it has cost him much time and money. I also follow a few education blogs; some by parents and others by educators. Lately I have began using Twitter and hope to network with other educators on there as well. The links provided were very informative and I hope to continue learning more about technology and how it can make me a better informed educator.

Becky Rose

8/28/2012 02:23:00 pm

Hi all,
I'm afraid I have not yet used a PLN very much! After creating my Twitter account last week, I started following two tweeters (is that the correct terminology?) within my profession: MCCA and SFCC. MCCA is the Missouri Community College Association, and SFCC is State Fair Community College, where I work. In addition to Twitter, I've begun using LinkedIn for a professional learning network over the course of the past six months or so. I've linked in with numerous post-secondary professionals as well as groups associated with my job (such as the National Community College Benchmark Project and the American Association of Community Colleges). As a result of these LinkedIn affiliations, I receive email notifications when new content is added that pertains to my profession. These are pretty interesting.

I use Facebook, but only thus far as a personal/social tool. I've also played around on Pinterest, but again, that has only been for fun, not really for my profession.

How could I expand my PLN? I'm really thinking Twitter might help me fill that niche. I noticed one of the upcoming assignments will be to follow at least 4 educators or professionals pertaining to the subject I teach. That will be a start.

I also think LinkedIn has a lot of potential for expanding my PLN. It's really blossomed over the last several months, and it seems promising for this purpose.

Lauren Robb

8/29/2012 08:45:26 am

I'm interested in LinkedIn. I've never heard of it but also I have never really been apart of the education field. I'll have to do some reasearch on it or ask the many educators in my family. I think twitter is a great PLN source just bc there are so many accounts and probably all professional groups have a twitter account.

Brittanee Jacobs

8/29/2012 12:36:04 pm

I absolutely love LinkedIn. It has allowed me to connect to some people that have really helped me professionally. For example, a former staff member at CMU left me a recommendation on the site which led to an interview for another job. Secondly, I have made a connection in the NFL which I hope will benefit me later. He has helped me a lot thus far. The site also helps develop a resume for you (which actually looks pretty good) when you enter in all of your information, so that saves time as well.

Aaron Schroeder

8/31/2012 01:03:03 am

Alright. I am going to give my two cents on all of these community websites. I have played with several of them since my last post, and I have read all of the comments on this blog (thus far). I have several things I would like to say concerning several blogs but instead of making multiple threads, I am going to say it all right here. Hope I remember it all.

1. I have played with twitter, facebook, linkedin and pinterest now and the order in which I would personally rank them for purpose of a "professional learning network" are as follows: 1. Linkedin 2. Twitter 3. Facebook and 4. Pinterest. Based on what I have found so far, Linkedin is greatly superior to all the rest. I have already joined groups that are specifically tailored to my profession and specific interests. I do not have to filter through the fluff and it is readily accessible. I place Pinterest last simply because it requires a lot of filtering from what I can see. To me, a lot of pinterest is a cross between watching Martha Stewart and reading a Seventeen magazine. I saw that there are ways to filter it some but I feel even with these filters, you are bombarded with a lot of nonsensical stuff that fustrates me and I feel is wasting my time. My wife wound up playing with it more than I did and, no offense to anyone, I feel it is a website that will be utilized more by women (my opinion).

2. There is discussion on these blogs concerning personal information or being exposed on the internet. Unfortunately, educators have a profession where they are held to a higher standard where they can not get away with things that the average American is able to. I too have created a facebook account with a fake identity to protect myself. Not that I fear what I might say, but with what might be said by someone with little to no filter.

With that being said, I think it comes down to this. If Facebook is going to be a professional tool, then it needs to be treated as such. Do not mix business with pleasure. If you want facebook to be personal, that is fine, but do not use it as a professioanl learning network if that is what you have chosen to do with it.

Instead, create separate accounts for professional and personal use. Since I have used a fake identity for my initial account, I can go back and create another account using my real name and filter who I am "friends" with. Instead, what I think I am going to do is continue to use facebook as my personal account and use Linkedin as my professional account since it has really impressed me.

3. I have used Teachertube. Actually, one semester I was forced to use it because our school decided to block Youtube. We have Youtube back now and I have gone back to using it instead of Teachertube. Teachertube is fine but a lot of it is also available on Youtube and more. If anyone is a history buff or likes Billy Joel, I highly recommend the "we didn't start the fire" video http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=6882&title=We_Didn_t_Start_the_Fire

Aaron Schroeder

8/31/2012 02:46:30 am

I may have come across as too harsh on Pinterest. If I am overlooking something or if someone has some tips on how to use it better, please let me know.

Michelle Unnerstall

8/29/2012 03:10:30 pm

What does LinkedIn actually do? I've heard of the name before, but now I'm curious.

Becky Rose

8/30/2012 11:25:21 am

LinkedIn is just another social networking tool, but primarily for professional networking. People usually list their jobs, current and past, and request to "LinkIn" with other professionals. There are LinkedIn groups that you can join also, where professionals join and post content based on the subject pertaining to the group. Members will post items such as links to news articles or blogs with info about issues or hot topics for their profession.

I haven't used it a lot yet, but I've really enjoyed reading the content from the few groups I've joined.

Kristi Harms

8/30/2012 04:50:14 am

I too am most familiar with Facebook, primarily for the social aspect. But have been becoming more interested/involved with LinkedIn and now Pinterest and Twitter. They each seem to have their own niche and developing and using a PLN will definitely help to organize and follow many different areas of interest both professionally and socially.

Prof. Myers

8/30/2012 11:44:03 am

This is the time for you to figure out what works for you. Feel free to ask questions and there will be more info about Twitter in the coming weeks!

Lauren Noble

8/29/2012 01:45:33 am

A few of the PLN's that I use would be Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. I mostly use Facebook and Twitter for social purposes, but I also follow/like businesses in the area, professional athletes and health and wellness programs. I'm very new to Pinterest, I like to look around on for tips on exercise, beauty and inspirational quotes. I don't pin things very often because I'm still not quite sure how to or where to pin them to. I use YouTube for a lot of workout videos and demonstrations on different lifts and techniques. When I go to the weight room I want to make sure I'm doing the correct form and that I'm teaching the correct form.

Daniel Simmons

8/29/2012 07:53:24 am

I believe PLN's are necessary, because they broaden the lengths of communication. The major PLN's that I use are Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and podcasts. PLN's allow me to stay connected with a world that I may not physically be able to communicate with everyday. By using YouTube, I can keep up with major educational debates and milestone celebrations. YouTube allows me to access a world that isn't posted on the everyday news station, and keep me in-touch wit topics that I am interested in. Facebook allow me to communicate with friends and colleagues, about everyday life or work. As others have mentioned, Twitter allows me to follow people that I may never meet, but many of these are inspirational to me in some way. Finally, podcasts are used in my everyday work environment to go summarize meeting notes, or project plans for the following week.
PLN's or Professional Learning Networks are useful in my everyday life, and help me stay connected with the world around me. It is interesting seeing how people use different PLN's for different aspects of their lives.

Michelle Unnerstall

8/29/2012 03:11:53 pm

What is a podcast?

Daniel Simmons

8/29/2012 09:30:53 pm

A podcast is basically a digital file that can be recorded using a camera, phone, or webcam. Once the file is recorded it can be sent to many computers and downloaded using your computer or portable media player. It is a way to broadcast information to a mass audience. It can be used in a small setting between individuals or be sent out worldwide. It is a great way to use mass communication.

Mike Tzianos

8/29/2012 10:10:37 am

Hey everyone,
I never really gave this topic much thought. About how we use different tools to communicate, learn, and develop a variety of different aspects of our personal/professional lives. I currently use Facebook, YouTube, emails, and now Twitter. Facebook and emails are most commonly used for social aspects of my life. Whether it is staying in touch with people, sharing information, or meeting new people. I use YouTube a lot. I use it to get different ideas for rehabilitation/strengthening techniques, educational videos on relevant important topics, and just good ole fashion entertainment. Then there's Twitter. To be honest, I never even thought about getting a Twitter account before this class. However, as I have browsed around on Twitter these past few days I can see why it is so popular today. Everybody is on it. I don't know, just putting my information online just plain frightens me sometimes (even with Facebook). Hopefully, I can set that aside and begin using these PLN's in a professional manor to communicate with others in my field.

Angie Richardson

8/29/2012 11:20:52 am

I agree with your trepidation about personal information on the web. I felt very leary joining all these various social networking sites. I tried to do a different user name and password for each site but now I am having trouble keeping up with all the information. I think technology has it many positive aspects and I am enjoying exploring it during this course but in many ways I am also scared of it.

Brittanee Jacobs

8/29/2012 12:33:27 pm

Michael, I do understand why you are hesitant to "put all your information" online. I used to be the same way. But with all of these accounts, privacy settings make the difference. I have my Facebook set up to where you can't even search for me. It allows me be in a close-knit circle because that is what Facebook is for me--a personal use. Twitter is kind of the same way; I have a private account so the only folks who can see my tweets are my followers which I have to approve. Knowing my things are private make me less hesitant about what I put on the web.

Igor Misljenovic

8/29/2012 12:47:36 pm

Brittanee, do you ever feel that Facebook and Twitter have lowered the social standard in regards to what is acceptable to be made public?

Prof Myers

8/30/2012 11:50:12 am

We are going to talk more about this latter in class but you bring up a good point.

Michelle Unnerstall

8/29/2012 03:13:45 pm

Sometimes I get scared with personal information also. With being a teacher, everyone is watching what you are doing. You never know what someone might say or post on a site that you have no control over that may be harmful to your profession. Now, you can loose a job over that can of stuff! SCARY!

Prof. Myers

8/30/2012 11:47:47 am

I got on Twitter about a year and a half ago. I kind of come and go with it. Right now I have not been using as much as I should because I rather be on Pinterest. I am a very visual person and it works better for me. I do have some things I need to look up/ask about on Twitter but it seems to take more time then I want it to right now. I have gotten lots of good ideas on Twitter and need to remember to be better about checking it.

Brittanee Jacobs

8/29/2012 12:30:06 pm

My current PLN consists of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn. I think LinkedIn is the most beneficial for me at the moment for coaching. It allows me to stay connected with many of my former professors, employers, and other coaches. Connections are very important for discovering new job opportunities. LinkedIn also allows me to search for jobs as well.

Facebook is another good way to stay connected, but I feel it is for more personal reasons. I mainly use it for my summer camp and being able to stay in contact with counselors and campers because we put camp stuff on there. I did learn about a coaching clinic because of Facebook, so I do feel like Facebook can be of professional use for me as well.

Twitter is another personal account, but I think I can really use it to my benefit for professional use. I started following some English teachers, and one is even the author of the best textbook I've ever used. He tweets a lot about things I could use in my future classroom. The tweets of athletes can also be used to encourage my athletes.

Pinterest is great for my PLN as well. I find a lot of quotes and work-out ideas for my players. It also allows me to find things to organize my office and future classroom.

YouTube contains many videos I use for football. I recently found some new drills for our safeties to do, and now they are a part of our regular warm-ups.

Igor Misljenovic

8/29/2012 12:42:07 pm

I am a bit surprised that nobody mentioned online forums. Forums have been a foundation upon which I spread my PLN to the majority of websites which all of you have mentioned. I guess forums predate YouTube and go back to the days of dial-up, hogging the phone line and counting your data traffic. They might be getting big again since online education is picking up wind these days with websites like Coursera.org. In more recent days my PLN has grown almost exponentially through sites like LinkedIn, Youtube, Goodreads, Twitter and TED.com. Majority of such sites offer mailing lists for things that are related to what you have shown interest in and that makes my life more organized. In the end I always end up sitting down with someone during lunch a talk about what I've seen online in the last few days.

Prof. Myers

8/30/2012 11:49:13 am

I have used some forums but find they don't seem to work well for me. I am happy they are a good tool for you and thanks for bringing them up.

Mike Tzianos

9/2/2012 09:12:25 am

Great point Igor. I guess I sort of forgot about online forums. Online forums were all I used to use when I started using the internet. They can be a great tool for finding useful information.

Scot Davis

8/29/2012 04:06:17 pm

I feel that I am alone in the dark when it comes to PLN's and these different social networks. However, in my defense I have not began teaching yet. All of this is really new to me because I have not began looking into different ways of teaching. However, I have used a website for coaching basketball, Breakthrough Basketball, which is a website that has a lot of drills from different coaches in the same place. It is very useful when I am working with specific positional players. As for right now, I am just learning about what things such as Pinterest and Twitter really are and how to use them effectively in the classroom and, hopefully, the basketball court.

Kristi Harms

8/29/2012 09:48:56 pm

I really like the idea of a PLN to keep social media and resources organized and more readily available for use. I am most familiar with facebook, linkedIn, youtube and in general using search engines to search for information explanations or examples. I have recently become interested in Pinterst and am looking forward to learning more about it. I really liked the links that were posted in regard to Pinterst, they really help break it down and show how useful it can and will be to use as a resource. Twitter is my other new technology and I am getting more familiar with it and again liked the links that explain and describe the opportunities that it can be used for. As mentioned in several of last week's posts, technology can be a double edged sword but by using the concept of a PLN it definitely can become a well organized and very beneficial resource. The availiabilty of endless resources is something that has not been available to prior generations and opens up such a wide variety of ideas and collaborative opportunities. I am looking forward to getting organized and creating my PLN!

Prof. Myers

8/30/2012 11:42:31 am

WOW! You all are doing such a good job with your post. I almost feel I don't need to be here to teach the class. You all have a good open mind and that helps a lot.

I realized that here I am asking you to take new steps into technology and I have been using the same things for years and I don't think I have added anything new in about a year. Well one of you asked me to join Linkedin so I am going to take the plunge. I don't know much about it so it will be learning too. Sounds like something to tackle on maternity leave.

Prof. Myers

8/30/2012 11:54:16 am

I use blogs a lot too. Here is a post about a page called Learnist that I just read....never new about it until now. Sorry for the long link but I am short and time and did not want to run it through a URL shorter.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2012/08/learnist-launches-ipad-and-iphone-apps.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

Aaron Schroeder

8/31/2012 01:09:31 am

I understand the concept of a URL shorter, but have never even attempted it. I would like to know how to do this. Maybe I just need to do a simple google search? I have tried to post 3 links now, without success. Is it possible on these blogs or am I not doing something right?

Angel Massie

8/31/2012 01:42:51 am

I guess I use PLNs without really realizing they were called a PLNs. I am addicted to pinterest. My "teacher" board is overflowing with great ideas that I have started utilizing this school year!

My facebook page is also a great way to keep in touch with previous collegues from other districts, college classmates that work in other districts, etc. I love seeing what they are doing in their classroom and also share in similar frustrations we may/may not have. Many times these friends/collegues can offer solutions to problems!

This is a great time in our world when sharing resources is so readily available because of the use of the internet! Generations before us have not had this luxury to have access to so many forms of media and ideas. Our students can truly benefit if these sources are utilized!

Scot Davis

9/1/2012 01:26:24 am

Most people here have commented on how useful Pinterest is and how they frequently go to it. I will definitely have to check it out before I begin my student teaching this next semester in order to be better prepared and more effective in teaching methods.

Mike Tzianos

9/2/2012 09:17:31 am

I agree with you Scot. Almost everyone has mentioned Pinterest, and I have never even checked the website out. I feel that I am lacking in this department. I will have to check Pinterest out as well. I feel that by at least visiting the website I can see if Pinterest can offer anything to allied healthcare professionals.

Prof. Myers

9/4/2012 09:55:43 am

Here are some thoughts on Pinterest and other forms of social book marking.

As with most forms of social media the people you are friends with/follow are a big part of what you get out of them. As far as Penterest goes I am friends with lots of music teachers and other educators so I get lots of ideas from them to use with my students at school and for supplemental activities to do with my kids at home. (My kids attend daycare and public school but we do a fair amount of "home school" activities as well) I also pin things that I think other educators I am friends with might use and "tag" them so I know they get it. I have a board for daycare that my daycare provider checks and my friend has a board for me where she pins ideas for my kids. You also can pin the things that you find on other web pages. I have a "pin it" extension on Google Chrome that makes it simple to pin things that I will be using with my students.
Being a visual person it helps me a lot to bookmark things this way.

There are also bookmarking pages where it is just the url more like the bookmarks you would think of on your web browser. The Diggo page that shared the link with you at the start of this class is one of them. I have lots of blog post and web pages there that are helpful for this class and will teach you more about the items we cover in this class. There is also http://delicious.com/ that works in the same way. I like Diggo better so I use that one.

I guess over all you get out of it what you put into it.

Prof. Myers

9/4/2012 11:29:42 am

One more thing on Pinterest that I thought about as I was using it. You can follow just one board from another person. I know I can not stand the boards that people have with cute animal on it so I unfollow just that board. There are people I don't know but pin good music stuff so I just follow that one board. Helps cut down on some of the filtering and you don't have to feel like you are reading 17. I unfollow a lot about fashion but I do like all of the food....we you have to feed 4 (soon to be 5) people it helps to keep things fresh!

Issue Tracker link

12/13/2013 05:37:57 pm

Wow,,,,,,,You really give your valuable information and link. Thank you for sharing........

What is a PLN????

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