What is a PLN?
I look at a PLN as a personal roladex of resources. It includes great blogs, great websites, great people who can help me be a better, more effective teacher. The trick to creating an effective PLN is creating one that you will actually use to access the resources that are the most beneficial for you. I am trying to figure out a way to organize my PLN. Right now it consists of a google reader so I can follow good blogs. I have a Delicious account but am not using it effectively - that will be the next thing to add to my PLN. My PLN also includes a AP CHEM listserve to stay current with educators all getting ready to give the AP test in May. I love Google docs but have not yet brought many colleagues on board to use them. I started the Twitter account but I do not often go to the twitter page to see what is being added. Start small and add as comfort level increases. I will take this advice to heart.
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You nailed PLNs when you said "The trick to creating an effective PLN is creating one that you will actually use to access the resources that are the most beneficial for you." That pretty much sums up PLNs...it only works when it works for you...and that can be different for each of us.
ReplyDeleteOne of my greatest additions to my PLN is Twitter, but that doesn't work for everyone. I think it helps that technology is my area of interest and most techies Twitter...but whatever works for you is absolutely what you should do.
When you look at Delicious further, explore the Network feature. Many educators post bookmarks to Delicious and if you find blogs on your Google Reader that you enjoy, see if they have a Delicious account. If so, add them to your network...then you can share your bookmarks with them and learn from the bookmarks they share....it saves all of us time if we share what we find. Same with Twitter...go back to the blogs and see if they have a Twitter name...then they would be someone to follow on Twitter too! And Twitter is faster than reading the blogs...you can scan the "headlines" of their blog posts to see if you want to read them in more detail.
Good luck on continuing to expand your PLN...you are well on your way!
Carol
Sounds like you are right on track with creating a PLN that will work for you. There's no point in learning all this stuff and setting up something that you aren't going to use. Start small is key, but there's so much out there it can be overwhelming to me. Thanks for the reminder!
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