Bring the World to Your Students Through a 21st Century PLN

Bring the World to Your Students Through a 21st Century Professional Learning Network

By: Kitty Tripp Email: kitty.tripp@spart5.info Twitter: MissTrippsClass Blog: http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Upstate Technology Conference, 2012

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

A little bit about myself: 

Elementary teacher for 14 years



National Board Certified

 Masters +30 in Integrating Technology Into the Classroom  Currently teach at 4th grade Math and Science at Wellford Academy of Science and Technology

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Today’s Focus:

The first hour:  Give content and information about building a PLN The second hour:  Those who want to stay and ask questions and receive hands-on help for those wanting to get started in any area we discussed.

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

What is a PLN and how is it different from professional development?

Surveys on blog

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

 An informal learning network that consists of the people learning and interacting together  A person makes a connection with another person with the specific intent that some type of learning will occur because of that connection  Learners create connections and develop a network that contributes to their professional development and knowledge.  The learner does not have to know these people personally or ever meet them in person  Engagement and interaction of information usually occurs online.

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Why is a PLN important and how can it benefit you professionally?  vastness of information and resources capable through such an expansive group of people has far greater influence and impact in your classroom as opposed to groups within your school, district, and state  The beauty of people communicating online is the ease of finding and sharing information and – if you ask for it – the group gives feedback that you get on ideas and projects.  The walls of your classroom come down and you become a part of the global learning community!

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Here are some ways that educators are using their PLNs:

 Professional development – learn from contentarea specialists the most up-to-date information  Locate resources for your classroom, such as free websites and software, etc.  Gain advise, ideas, and lesson plans from master teachers or experts  Learn about new technology and how to integrate it into your teaching  Collaborate and develop diversity in your thinking  Find any information about the latest trends, thinking, and ideas in the world of education!  AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

“When you have a large group of people combining vast amounts of information and collectively identifying the most useful, entertaining, or valuable parts, it only makes sense to tap into this collective knowledge!”

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

How I started developing my online PLN:

1. Curiosity for a PLN developed out of not having other people to work with at my school.

2.

Started researching online. I found  Classroom 2.0  Silvia Tolisano of Langwitches Blog and  Chrissy Hellyer of Teaching Sagittarian blog

3. I studied what these organizations were doing, and I tried several of their strategies.

4.

I then looked at their PLN

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Over the last couple years as I have furthered explored, experimented and found these four strategies the most effective dynamic ways to build my professional learning network:

Twitter Blogging Skype Global projects Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

1.Twitter:  Hashtags  Twitter chats  Lists CybraryMan.com has the most extensive information about hashtags and Twitter chats available, really anything about technology! Look him up!!!

If Twitter and these components do not make sense to you, please stay for the second hour to see it come alive for you.

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

2. Blogging  From your Twitter contacts, start reading their blogs  Look at their favorite blogs listed on their site.  Start commenting on these blogs  Develop ongoing relationships with other classes to possibly tri or quad blog.  Consider Kidblog.org Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

3. Skype  As you build relationships with your Twitter and blogging contacts, skype becomes a natural way for your classes to collaborate  A skype can involve cultural exchanges, sharing curriculum interests, 20 questions to determine a mystery locations or concepts. The possibilities are endless!

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

4. Global Projects  These are easily located through your Twitter, Skype and Blogging contacts.  One Twitter hashtag I follow is @GlobalClassroom. They have a wiki and with a wide variety of global projects to participate in.

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

4.

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com

As you move forward in building your own PLN: 

Start SMALL!

 As you feel comfortable with one avenue of growth, start in another area of outreach.  Most of all, HAVE FUN learning from and collaborating with educators all over the world!

Presentation developed by Kitty Tripp, kitty.tripp@spart5.info, http://gardenoflearningsc.blogspot.com