Part of the Cool Sites series
For the past year, I have researched the what, who, when, how, and why of Personal/Professional/Passionate Learning Networks (PLNs). We have seen the benefits of the people we choose to connect, collaborate, and problem solve with through social media. The educators, subject matter experts (SMEs), authors, and mentors we choose to derive knowledge from help us self-reflect on our methodologies and beliefs. They support us, remember our birthdays, celebrate our accomplishments, and stir within us a passion to improve the status quo. Many might argue we are an echo chamber, but I don’t really believe this. I know that within one year of connecting with a PLN I have jump started so many projects at my own institute. A few examples include- my five-year-old students have connected with others from other countries, we use technology with the English language learners regularly at my institute, and we Skype. We also have added many new courses and wikis along with these classes. We give workshops about technology to parents and educators. The students love the technology, are improving their English skills at faster rates, and are motivated by using technology. I am excited, because I know that I am preparing them adequately for their world of globalization and information and communication technologies (ICTs). By preparing them I know I am actively making a difference in the future. As an educator my goal is to send forth my students skilled and armed with knowledge to better, not burden the world.
A community raises a child! Yes, I do believe this, which is why I am passionate about PLNs. My PLN helps me be a better educator and prepare my students daily. They feed me experience, knowledge, and support 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week. Therefore, I hope you take time to bookmark these various resources, share them with other educators through workshops and presentations, and spread the message of PLNs.
Research about PLNs
Below are several resources I have collected about the history of PLNs, how to build a PLN, and the tools needed to build a PLN. Please scroll down and take a look at these resources and see if they can be an addition to a future presentation.
We Connect Wiki– This wiki is full of videos, Wallwishers, Wikipedia articles, and more that help educators find the resources to build a PLN. You will find all the materials listed in this post there as well as at least 50 other links to video tutorials, step-by-step guides, lists of people to follow, and more to help any educator new or old to this concept build a PLN.
Wikipedia article about PLNs– This article explains the history and theory behind PLNs. Do you know where the term developed, the theory behind PLNs, who are the forerunners of the PLN movement?
Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age by George Siemens– Siemens is noted as one of the forerunners behind the PLN movement. In this article, Siemens discusses the theory behind PLNs. This is one of the most important articles behind the PLN movement.
Origins of the Term ‘Personal Learning Network’ by Stephen Downes– Downes is another forerunner of the PLN movement and connectivism. In this post, he delineates the origins of the term.
The Art & Technique of Personal Learning Networks by David Warlick– Warlick defines PLN in easily understood terms, explains how the process works, and provides several articles for more information.
PLN posts on Teacher Reboot Camp– Read several of my posts about PLNs and the type of learning they provide. You will also find posts like, PLNs, Where Do We Begin?, to help you relate the concept to educators who have never experienced this before.
Videos
Why Do We Connect? from Shelly Terrell on Vimeo.
How To Build Your PLN Using Twitter
Personal Learning Networks for Educators by Skip Via
The Network is the Learning by George Siemens
Personal Learning Networks – the what, why and how from darren elliott on Vimeo.
Sketchy Explanation: Starting a PLN
Presentations
Presentation: Constructing a PLN by Richard M. Byrne
Twitter for your PLN Public by Al Rowell
Interactive Multimedia
VoiceThread- Why a PLN? by Steven Anderson
VoiceThread- What Does the Network Mean to You? by Alec Couros
Wallwisher- What My PLN Means to Me by John Evans
Wallwisher- Getting Started with a PLN by Don Lourcey
Challenge:
Use one of these resources to prepare your next PLN presentation.
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What are other PLN resources I should add to this post?
64 responses to “23 Resources about Personal Learning Networks (PLNs)”
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Shelly S Terrell, Henrick Oprea, pmacoun, Jeff Thomas, Carme Matas and others. Carme Matas said: RT @ShellTerrell: 16 Resources about Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) | Teacher Reboot Camp http://bit.ly/aNiq8y […]
Thanks, Shelly, for gathering all these links! It’s a valuable source of information.
I’m proud of having you in my PLN.
Regards,
Marisa
Wow! Thanks Shelley.
Only yesterday I was hunting for exactly these kind of resources.
Claire.
Super list of resources, lots of these will be instantly bookmarked! Thanks.
Karenne
Thank you so much dear Shelly for this fantastic post with so many useful links re PLN. I am adding this to my bookmarks list immediately!
Regards
Janet
Shelly, thank you for posting my video, thank you for all these great resources.
Elena
[…] possible. It’s a great way to start building your digital PLN (Personal Learning Network)[Shelley Terrell provided some great resources on PLNs here]. I facilitated a Twitter for Teachers Workshop last month at TeachMeet Nashville. The handout might […]
[…] 16 Resources about Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) | Teacher Reboot Camp […]
Great set of resources to help those new to Social Media…thanks!
Great stuff Shelly, I like the Wikipedia page that is getting started.
Well done!
[…] Recently, I added this VoiceThread to the post, 17 Resources about Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) […]
Thanks for the resources Shelly. I’m giving a presentation on PLN’s next week so these will come in handy! 🙂
[…] This video has been added to the post, 19 Resources About Personal Learning Networks (PLNs). […]
[…] viens de lire un billet de blog intitulé « 19 Resources about Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) » qui est très intéressant. Je mets en vidéo un extrait de ce […]
wow- great collection of videos. Thanks for putting it all in one place for the rest of us. My PLN rocks!!
[…] about education reform! We need you to contribute and develop PLNs. When we begin to develop our Personal/Passionate Learning Networks we become inspired to write our manifestos and we do […]
[…] believe we have educator leaders in our Personal Learning Networks (PLN) who get buy-in. Here are things I have seen them […]
[…] not advocating that educators in our Personal Learning Networks (PLN) should tell teachers their instructional practices are crap. Instead, I like Kelly […]
[…] the year virtually and physically and love meeting friends from our educator community, our PLN. If you are at any of these conferences, please feel to say hi, give me a hug, and let’s […]
[…] order to be cutting edge and stay relevant in any career field, we need a Personal Learning Network (PLN)! A PLN consists of individuals who we choose to take part in our professional development. These […]
[…] that the public should be listening to or hearing. Instead, I would love for us, our educator Passionate Learning Network (PLN) to be the voices that are […]
[…] development is important for educators. I love the sharing spirit of our Passionate/ Personal Learning Network (PLN) who continuously provides free presentations and resources online through webinars, blogs, wikis, […]
[…] Yesterday, I aged another year! Yes, it was my birthday and what made it really special was my personal learning network (PLN)! […]
[…] in education through social media networks. I believe that educators are being inspired by their Personal Learning Networks (PLN) to cause ripples in their schools and local communities. Steve Moore’s post, Is Twitter Just […]
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Here is another resource for PLN’s:
http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/p/create-personal-learning-network.html
[…] http://teacherbootcamp.edublogs.org/2010/05/09/16-resources-about-personal-learning-networks-plns/ […]
[…] Kelly recently joined me to speak about her progress on building a collective dream of many in our PLN (Passionate Learning Network)- the Twitter Academy. In her post, When Hunches Collide, Kelly goes into details of the origins of […]
[…] you so much for being such a supportive Personal Learning Network (PLN)! Your kindness, support, collaboration, and participation have kept me inspired and motivated. In […]
[…] I just have to listen to a song, watch a TED Talk, read a Seth Godin book, or talk with my Passionate Learning Network (PLN), and my thoughts are set back into motion. Here’s one of my favorite passionate speakers […]
[…] sharing in my magical moments. There have been so many more since I became an active member of my Personal Learning Network! Thank you for being there during difficult times and to support academic […]
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[…] Collaborate and Refuel. Find your PLN! If not at your school or even your District, try online. There are so many out there and I am thankful for all those that all me to lurk, participate, or both. See this link for information on Personal Learning Networks. […]
[…] 23 Resources about Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) | Teacher Reboot Camp […]
[…] April 8th I celebrated my two year Twitter birthday. 100s of members of my Personal/ Passionate Learning Network (PLN) joined me in the celebration online and face-to-face as I gave my Keynote, Wings & Webs: […]
[…] at both the classroom and school district level, and they have helped provide numerous resources (like these) in an industry that desperately needs such […]
[…] Edublog and WeConnect posts, both compiled by teacher and blogger Shelly Terrell, present a pretty […]
[…] Summer has officially started for many of you! I know that you will probably be relaxing for the first few days, but eventually you may feel the need to be inspired and motivated for the upcoming 2011-2012 school year! Social media provides us with incredible opportunities to choose the way we want to develop professionally. You can choose the topic, the medium, and who you want to learn from. You can choose the way you like to learn, because social media provides us with several multimedia experiences, such as webinars, LMS, live video, and more. The experience is usually dynamic and motivating because you are learning with others around the world! Additionally, you will be developing your Personal/ Passionate Learning Network (PLN). […]
[…] 23 Resources about Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) | Teacher Reboot Camp […]
[…] Twitter. If you already use Twitter consider giving these people a follow and welcoming them to our PLN. @sunmath3 @quilbilly124 @maren_johnson @schmittmath @scienceracquet @debbieberreth […]
[…] Use the hashtag #rscon3 to share your resources and meet other educators to add to your Personal/Passionate Learning Network, PLN! […]
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[…] 23 Resources About PLNs (Personal Learning Networks) […]
[…] want to extend an apology to the members of my Personal/Passionate Learning Network (PLN). I really meant to post my nominations for the Edublog Awards but I didn’t get around […]
[…] different takes on it has spurred me to reflect on my past year blogging and collaborating with my passionate/personal learning network (PLN) who inspire me and support me daily. I am a better person and educator because they share and […]
[…] my journey using social media (Twitter, Facebook, Nings, Second Life, blogs, etc.) to develop my passionate/personal learning network (PLN). I was so inspired by my PLN that I sought out to visit you at various conferences and events […]
[…] surgery, and seeing the end of an important relationship. Collaborating and communicating with my Personal/Passionate Learning Network (PLN) through social media has transformed my life in such positive ways. I feel extremely blessed and […]
[…] much more. With free social media platforms you can begin to develop and harness the power of your Personal/ Passionate Learning Network (PLN) to accomplish goals. Social media provides us with incredible opportunities to choose the way we […]
[…] will definitely become more ‘connected’ by the end of the experience. (Here are some great resources regarding Personal Learning Networks) This is something definitely worth looking into for someone new to social […]
[…] continuously feel motivated, inspired and equipped to make that opportunity an impact. Without my Personal/Passionate Learning Network I wouldn’t have been so aware of the impact I make and I cringe each time I think about the […]
[…] 23 Resources about Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) : Teacher Reboot Camp I know that within one year of connecting with a PLN I have jump started so many projects at my own institute. A few examples include- my five-year-old students have connected with others from other countries, we use technology with the English language learners regularly at my institute, and we Skype. […]
[…] 23 Resources about Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) http://teacherbootcamp.edublogs.org/2010/05/09/16-resources-about-personal-learning-networks-plns/ […]
[…] I am posting a few tips to help you out this year that I found while reading posts from my Personal/Passionate Learning Network (PLN). I hope these tips help inspire you! And one of the best things I can recommend to help you […]
Shelly. These are AWESOME resources. I don’t think I have used the word awesome more in my entire life than I have since I have been developing my own PLN in the past month. I just have to make sure that I set aside time to watch all of the wonderful presentations. Thanks for all you do! Shelly Terrell Rocks!
Thanks so much for you comments! Really made my day and it is always fantastic when someone can use the resources to meet other thought-provoking educators.
[…] / video / visual / podcast- NerdyCast is my new favorite podcast. Nick makes learning about our PLN so much fun! Educational wiki- ICT Magic Wiki full of incredible resources Open PD / unconference / […]
[…] Sherry has provided us with several tutorials ( both in the form of slideshows and videos ) on how teachers and students can create, curate and run their personal learning networks. I have gone throughRead More: http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/11/personal-learning-networks-simplified.html This entry was posted in Technology lInk of the day and tagged 30 Web tools for educators, web tools for teachers by Teachers Tech. Bookmark the permalink. […]
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Thanks for making sense of all this, at least I know where to start now!
I still thank the day I decided to create a Twitter account, made a personal learning network, and connected with you and other great people online! I am always learning something, sharing what I’m learning, and creating great relationships with people I know I can turn to for help in an instant.