Personal Learning Networks: Why and How? - Christine Jones - 16 April (RAK)

[James Buckingham]

The following is a thread designed to support Christine Jone's face to face presentation on 16th April in RAK.

Topic:     Personal Learning Networks: Why and How?

• pre-presentation
• post-presentation

We regularly hear about Personal Learning Networks or PLNs.  The 16 April presentation will outline the reason's PLNs are a growing approach in the region, what value they hold for students of all ages, and how teachers of any level can move towards building and implementing a PLN with their students. From ages 5 to 25 students can and will find the collaborative and problem solving aspects of a PLN of value to their knowledge acquisition. Participants will be introduced to what PLNs are, the research behind the use of PLNs (the why) and several approaches to educators preparing PLNs for their own setting.

 

Christine Jones

[e-mail]

[Cindy Gunn]

I am looking forward to this presentation. Do you have any suggested readings on this topic?

[Christine Jones]

Actually,  I would like to recommend that you start by watching these two youtube videos.

The first is an inspiration to anyone who is planning to start their own PLE platform, which is the basis for your PLN - Personal Learning Network.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEls3tq5wIY

 

The second is a brief introduction to the PLN and part of the reason I decided to do this presentation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqSH5TMYlz4

 

And here is an excellent paper on the subject to start you off.  http://scr.bi/9d4qWg

  From Personal Learning Environment Building To Professional Learnin...

[Vance Stevens]

There is a section on PLN's in the Multiliteracies course that has been running for years as part of the TESOL Principles and Practices of Online Teaching program and also in the EVO sessions before the annual TESOL conferences, at http://goodbyegutenberg.pbworks.com/Week1EVO2011. There's a link there to "PLN Yourself" (Sue Waters) http://suewaters.wikispaces.com/ and also Scott Leslie's nice collection of PLE diagrams: http://edtechpost.wikispaces.com/PLE+Diagrams.Click around in there and you'll be amazed at the thought that's gone into this concept, and hopefully there are some names there you will recognize.

 

And also, Kim Cofino on Personal Learning Networks:

 

From her asynchronous keynote at the K-12 Online Conference 2009

Going Global: Culture Shock, Convergence and the Future of Education,

http://k12onlineconference.org/?p=424

 

Download here:

KimCofino2009FiresidechatPLE.mp3

• Here Kim talks about the importance of nurturing networks, how those already in such networks can model their cultivation for others, and six ways to start one. This segment is taken from the K12 Online Conference - Fireside Chat with Kim Cofino, http://www.edtechtalk.com/node/4613
• My blog post on hearing this podcast: http://advanceducation.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-havent-posted-here-fo... (might surprise you, but this post illustrates how PLN's work, in this yet another attempt to 'ellucidate the ineffable').

[Cindy Gunn]

Thanks!

Christine Jones said:

Actually,  I would like to recommend that you start by watching these two youtube videos.

The first is an inspiration to anyone who is planning to start their own PLE platform, which is the basis for your PLN - Personal Learning Network.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEls3tq5wIY

 

The second is a brief introduction to the PLN and part of the reason I decided to do this presentation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqSH5TMYlz4

 

And here is an excellent paper on the subject to start you off.  http://scr.bi/9d4qWg

 

[Cindy Gunn]

Thanks Vance. I am always impressed by your knowledge of this area! :)

[Christine Jones]

I have been reading so much on PLEs and PLNs but I am trying to boil it all down to what teachers really need to know. Primarily how to put it into action. 

 

I am trying to make it as easy as possible for every level, from Primary through Tertiary. It can be done with some ease as long as the teachers are comfortable and willing.  I am really looking forward to Saturday's event.  See you there.