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=__//** Professional Development Should Be Personal Development **//__=

Become Involved, Informed and Invested
TICL 2013 Lisa M. Jorgensen, Dane Barner, Gary Scholtens Webster City Middle School

=**__// PLNs //__**=

Our Symbaloo: []

Scroll to bottom of page for the infographic.
1. What is a PLN?
 * A personal learning network is an informal learning network that consists of the people a learner interacts with and derives knowledge from in a personal learning environment. In a PLN, a person makes a connection with another person with the specific intent that some type of learning will occur because of that connection( [])
 * n. – the entire collection of people with whom you engage and exchange information, usually online ( [])
 * A basic definition for a Personal/Professional Learning Network (PLN) is "a network of peers from which we learn." http://sspd.wikispaces.com/Grow+Your+Own+Learning+Network

2. How is a PLN different from regular PD?
 * Usually professional development is a whole group, non personalized affair. The principal or curriculum director or superintendent wants their employees to learn thus. It could be that “thus” is only useful to a handful of people and the rest of the teachers are playing Words with Friends on their iPhones, but professional development was dispensed and therefore teachers were improved. A professional learning network is an individually based, continuously updated and fluid stream of information.
 * Use video - []
 * Twitter is not the only way to build your PLN. You can use Facebook, Pinterest, or blogs. (this leads into the next point)

3. What platforms are available to build a PLN?
 * ** Twitter, Pinterest, Educlipper, blogs, Facebook, Nings, Wikis, Diigo, webinars, feeders **

4. How do I get started?
 * Join Pinterest. Join Twitter. Do a Google search for education blogs. Just take the first step.

5. Who do I follow?

__PINTEREST__
 * Pinterest 101 for teachers
 * []
 * Pinterest - 10 Boards Every Educator must Follow
 * []
 * Edudemic
 * []
 * Edublogger

__TWITTER__
 * Iowa Educators List
 * [] - List One (498)
 * [] - List Two (498)
 * [] - List Three (250+Growing)
 * Ed Chat List - Times and Hashtags
 * []
 * List by Subject
 * []

__BLOGS__

 * Wordpress Platform - most extensive platform with website-like qualities.
 * E xample: [|artclasswithlmj.wordpress.com] (Followers, Stats, etc)
 * Kid Blog Platform - created and maintained by Wordpress, allows student blogs overseen by instructor
 * Example: [|kidblog.org/MrsJohnsonsclass-43/]
 * Edu Blogs - similar and as involved as Kid Blog
 * Example: []
 * Blogger Platform - more original platform, connects directly into your Google life
 * Example: []
 * Top Blog ReelsBest Advice: Google " _______ Education Blog" and see what you come up with.
 * Scholastic: Top 20: []
 * Education World: Top of 2013: []
 * PLP: Top 25: []

//** BIG QUESTIONS **__// 6. Why have a PLN in the first place?

7. How can I help others start a PLN?

8. How do you use your PLN? Who do you follow? What makes it essential in your day-to-day learning?