Journal 6: "Grow your Personal Learning Network" (NETS 1, 3, and 5)

Warlick, D (March/April 2009). Grow your personal learning network. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36, Retrieved March 10,2009, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200904/

"Grow your Personal Learning Network" is an article discussing how information and communication technologies have become dynamic tools in our social, professional, and personal networking capabilities. There are three types of Personal Learning Networks (PLNs). "Personally maintained synchronous connections" include text messaging, chatting, and teleconferencing. "Personally and socially maintained semi synchronous connections" includes such tools as Facebook or twitter, in which and update or question is sent out to a community and collaboration does not need to occur in real time. "Dynamically maintained asynchronous
connections" connects us with resources and content we have determined as valuable to our own needs. RSS aggregators pull and feed requested information directly to the user as it is updated in real time.

Question 1: What are some tips to not become overwhelmed by social networking as a beginner?

Answer 1: The reading suggests to start small and organize blogs based on topic and frequency of reference. It also mentions that you do not need to read everything. Simply scanning for information most relevant and important will save time and energy. Realize that your network is large and make use of connections available through tools such as delicious.com and RSS feed.

Question 2: As a teacher, what are some good sites to have in your network (of which you have learned about this far)?

Answer 2: Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators, delicious.com, The National Archives, Epals, EdChange, Kids Click, Ning, Web 2.0 Skype, googledocs, Interactive Video Conferencing, Leading and Learning with Technology, ISTE, and many others.