PLN+Basics

=//PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORKS - THE BASICS//=

Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano, a teacher and Educational Consultant, defined PLN's in an exceptional way. I asked if I could share her thoughts and she graciously agreed. She states:

A Personal Learning Network (PLN) is a group of people you count on to:
 * guide you in your learning
 * be your source of advice and resources
 * make you aware of learning opportunities
 * share their best practices
 * point you to answers and support

This concept of a PLN has been around for many years. What has changed in recent years though is the reach, the size and the availability of that network.

From to:
 * The look of a PLN has changed.**
 * your colleagues in the building you work in
 * a cherished personal mentor
 * professional development opportunities offered sporadically throughout the year
 * conferences
 * college credit classes taken for re-certification
 * Blogs
 * RSS Readers
 * Twitter
 * Nings
 * Skype
 * Podcasts
 * Wikis

//Will Richardson, on Personal Learning Networks//
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What does the Networked Teacher look like and what are the benefits? Here thoughts from many networked teachers on this Voicethread.

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 * //Articles, Blog Posts, and Resources//** ***[|5 Things You Can Do to Begin Developing Your Personal Learning Network] from The Innovative Educator blog.**


 * Check out [|this fantastic article] by David Warlick about Personal Learning Networks. This should take you to the article from a recent edition of [|Leading and Learning]** - **an ISTE publication. You may need to be an ISTE member to view it.**


 * Sue Waters has put together this PLN wiki. It has a ton of great information! //This is one of the best Personal Learning Network resource sites I've seen//.

Liz Davis, Director of Academic Technology at Belmont Hill School near Boston, has written some excellent blog posts about Personal Learning Networks. Below are some posts I feel are worthy of your attention.**
 * [|Ten Tips for Growing Your Learning Network]**
 * [|8 Stages of PLN (Personal Learning Network) Development]**