Week+4

= Week 4: September 20th = Personal Learning Community (PLC) Evaluating Web 2.0 Applications

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=Personal Learning Community / Network (PLN)=

Personal Learning Networks are:
 * a concept based on Web 2.0 and social software
 * learner-driven, problem-based, or motivated by interested
 * based on the idea that learning will take place in different contexts, and not come from one place or person

Wordle

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= Here are some ways that educators are using their PLNs: =

- Professional development – learn from content-area specialists

- Locate resources for your classroom, such as free websites and software

- Get lesson plan ideas from master teachers

- Learn about new technology and how to integrate it into your teaching

- Find collaborative solutions

- Find interesting links to education news

Students can also reap the benefits of tapping into their PLNs. Here is a wonderful video called “The Networked Student” that shows how on-line networking can enhance students’ 21st century skills.

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= =

**How to start your own PLN??**
7 Easy Steps for Creating a PLN

Growing Your Personal Learning Network

** __Build Your Own PLN__ **
If you’re interested in expanding your PLN, here’s a directory of some of the best web 2.0 tools: (see this video ‘__ [|RSS in Plain English] __’) ||< __ [|Netvibes] __, (__ [|My Netvibes] __),__ [|PageFlakes] __, __ [|Google Reader] __ || http://edupln.ning.com/ bookmarks ||< __ [|Diigo] __, __ [|Diigo Groups] __,__ [|Delicious] __ || `
 * ~ Category ||~ Value ||~ Examples and Guides ||
 * < Social Networking ||< Keeping up with personal, more social contacts like friends, family, and former students ||< __ [|Facebook] __, __ [|Myspace]] __ ||
 * < Microblogging ||< Populated with educators from around the world who share best practices and resources in short bursts ||< __ [|Twitter] __, __ [|My guide to Twitter] __, __ [|Plurk] __, __ [|Utterli] __ ||
 * < Professional Profiles ||< Find other professionals and experts in your field ||< __ [|LinkedIn] __, __ [|Brightfuse] __ ||
 * < Wikis ||< Community-monitored sites that can function as websites or for group organization and projects ||< __ Wikispaces __, __ [|pbwiki] __,__ [|wetpaint] __ ||
 * < Blogs ||< Great sources of information such as classroom best practices as well as personal opinions; Blogs monitor the heartbeat of new trends in education and the commenting back and forth leads to many great ideas and relationships ||< __ [|WordPress] __, (check out my ‘Blogroll’ to the right – they’re my favorites),__ [|Blogger] __, __ [|Typepad] __, __ [|Alltop] __ – top blog headlines by subject, __ [|Technorati] __ – a blog search engine ||
 * < RSS Reader ||< RSS means “Real Simple Syndication” – an RSS reader is a tool that allows you to keep up with many of your favorite blogs, all in once place
 * < Nings ||< Communities of people interested in similar topics, with forums and messaging ||< __ [|Classroom 2.0] __, __ [|Future of Education] __, __ [|Ning] __ ||
 * < Social Bookmarking ||< Share bookmarks with others, see what others are bookmarking; you can join groups and get email updates on new
 * < Webinars ||< Live, on-line presentations or conferences, with real-time chat, hosted by experts on specific topics; Great way to learn about new things and to meet new people ||< __ [|Classroom 2.0 Live!] __,__ [|EdTechTalk Live] __,__ [|Elluminate] __ – host your own!, __ [|Dim Dim] __ ||
 * < Backchanneling of conferences ||< When there are neat (and expensive) conferences that you can’t attend, follow conversations and links about the highlights ||< __ Twitter search __ – use acronyms like ‘NECC’ or ‘SXSWi’ ||

Resources:

Kathy Schrock - Create your own PLN [|The Educator's PLN - Ning]

= Web 2.0 =

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= Web 2.0 Evaluations: =

Web 2.0 Rubric

Online Tools and Applications Go2Web2.0

[|What Are Web 2.0 Tools and Why They Should be Incorporated into the]

Assessing Web 2.0 Tools: Rubric..

= Assignment: = Evaluate 5 web 2.0 tools that you see valuable in your content area. Use the evaluating Web 2.0 tools rubricto asses these website. Save and post your work on your wiki.