Journal #6: Growing Your Personal Learning Network (NETS-T 3 & 5)

Warlick, D. (2011, March/April) Growing Your Own Personal Learning Network. Learning and Leading Through Technology, 38(6), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-march-april-2011.aspx

In the article, Warlick introduces 3 different types of Personal Learning Networks (PLNs). The first PLN is the personally maintained connection. This type of connection involves people and places a person uses to answer questions, solve problems, and accomplish goals. Tools associated with this network include teleconferencing software, Twitter, instant and text messaging, and virtual worlds. The second type of PLN is the social and personally maintained connections. This connection allows for people to be in different places, but still lets them to participate at their own pace, one that works best with their own schedule. Tools that enable this type of connection include Twitter and Google Docs. The third type of connection is the dynamically maintained connection. This connection helps people find updates to sites that they find have educational value to them. Updates are able to happen by using an RSS feed. Another useful tool for this type of PLN is social bookmarking sites. These websites allow others to see the websites when you add them to your web pages as well, thus expanding the number of people who are able to use it as a tool.

Question 1: Which type of PLN is most effective?

A: I think the most effective type is the dynamically maintained connection. It seems to be the most widespread. The RSS feed seems really helpful because often sites are bookmarked, but then they're never used again. RSS feeds keep people updated on changes that have been made to the site. Another reason why this is a good PLN is because you're able to see other sites that are similar to ones that you already like.

Question 2: How can PLNs be incorporated into a classroom?

A: PLNs for students can be used the same way it is for teachers and educators. Students can use the PLNs for school projects to help save them time when researching for a project or paper. It can also be used for personal use, such as hobbies and interests.

All About Me Survey

Journal #2: Join the Flock & Enhance Your Twitter Experience (NETS-T 5)

Hadley, F. (2010, June/July) Join the Flock! Learning and Leading Through Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2010.aspx

McClintock-Miller, S. (2010, June/July) Enhance Your Twitter Experience. Learning and Leading Through Technology, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-june-july-2010.aspx


Twitter is a great tool for teachers to improve their PLN (professional learning network). The first article gave steps on how to get the most out of Twitter. The author said that it was okay that a person follows a person, but they won't get as much as someone who also posts and replies to others. A great piece of advice the author gave was to put hash tags on your posts to expand your PLN to people that you do not know.

The second article was about using tools to enhance Twittering. TweetDeck was one of the tools mentioned. TweetDeck is used to organize your posts into more than one column. HootSuite was also mentioned. HootSuite is used to share a website address through a tweet.

Question 1: How is meeting people through Twitter better than in person?
A: It's better because you're able to meet more people. On Twitter, adding a hash tag to your posts multiplies the number of viewers by at least 10. Meeting people in person is harder because you can only meet someone one at a time. Also, because there is a larger variety people on Twitter, the resources are more diverse.

Question 2: Can Twitter continue to be a resourceful tool or will it fade away?
A: I think that Twitter can continue to grow. At the moment, I don't think very many people know the different ways Twitter can be helpful. If word spreads, that it can be used as an effective tool for things besides knowing what celebrities are doing, then I think Twitter will be here to stay.

Journal #4: It's Time to Trust Teachers with the Internet (NETS-T 3, 4, & 5)

Schaffhauser, D. (2010. December 1). It's Time to Trust Teachers with the Internet. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/Articles/2010/12/01/Its-Time-to-Trust-Teachers-with-the-Internet-A-Conversation-with-Meg-Ormiston.aspx

The Internet is a great tool when teachers are able to use it to their advantage. Unfortunately this is not the case. Teachers are expected to include technology in the curriculum, but there is only a small amount of resources available. Schools block many of the educational sites that can be used in a classroom, yet are stumped why they don't use the Internet more often.

It is a long process to have a website included in a lesson. Most teachers have to do the research at home because so many quality sites are blocked at school. Then, teachers have to have the websites approved by the school. This is a ridiculous process that most teachers don't even try to finish because they already feel that the answer will be no.

Question 1: Can Youtube be used effectively in a classroom?
A: I think that YouTube can be effective inside a classroom. Teachers can give their students guidelines of what is expected of them from the assignment. As long as there are rules, most of the time children follow them and do not get into trouble.

Question 2: Why is the administration afraid of letting go of their control over the Internet?
A: The administration is afraid of letting go of their power because they do not want the liabilty of what children can find online. The administration needs to put a little more faith into their teachers in the judgements they make over quality and nonquality websites.

Journal #1: Do Web 2.0 Right (NETS-T 2 & 3)

Light, D. (2011). Do web 2.0 right. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-december-january-2010.aspx

The use of blogs in classrooms is becoming very popular in classrooms today. One way blogs are helpful is they encourage students to participate in class. An online forum allows students the opportunity to be more outgoing than they would normally be in a traditional classroom setting. Also, when children work on their projects online, they are given more time to come up with a meaningful response to questions.

Another way blogs are helpful is they allow for students to prepare for what will happen in class. Teachers are able to post topics or questions for students to research before they begin the lesson. Students are able to get excited about the lesson before instead of later on.

Blogs can be for individual or classroom use. Individual blogs are important because it gives students the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings openly. Although, by working alone on an assignment makes it difficult to build a tight-knit classroom environment. Students will lose the motivation to complete projects if the only reason is to get credit. Classroom blogs can fix this problem. By assigning children into groups, they have to learn how to work together to accomplish a goal.

Question 1: How do teachers create a welcoming environment online?
A: One way teachers do this is by creating assignments that are appropriate for the student and limiting who has access to the answers. Privacy is very important when giving assignments online. Students need to know who is viewing their work or else they will not feel safe.

Question 2: Can I use web 2.0 in my own classroom?
A: Yes, I can see using web 2.0 in the future. There were many great suggestions on how to incorporate technology into the classroom. Technology is a way of life in today's society and teachers need to know how to incorporate it into the curriculum.