Personal Learning Network - Part 2

In this installment of the Personal Learning Network (PLN), I take a look at a blog done on the topic that includes a Youtube video hosted by Will Richardson.
The blog is called The Innovative Educator.

Will Richardson provides knowledgeable information about PLN. He discusses the importance of PLN to the field of education and how it could support those teachers. The most intriguing element to those new to the concept of PLN should consider that our students have been practicing the use of PLN for some time. The drawback is they have no one to scaffold their use of the PLN or the proper uses of it to support their own learning in and out of the classroom. That is, he discusses how those students should properly use their PLN, (ethical use – important term to those in the field of instructional technology) and well as elements of cyber bullying and netiquette. Richardson does offer a solution to this situation by the use of the technique called modeling. Essentially, we do not have to hold our students hands to walk them through proper uses of their PLN but be a model in their development. Therefore, as Richardson says, we (parents, teachers, role-models) create our own PLN to model for our students. When I think about modeling I look no further then my colleagues. They model not only for me and my peers but the students that they teach. They will often incorporate in their lesson new or emerging technologies educational uses for them. For example, one professor will demonstrate the uses of twitter and even show some desktop clients to make it easier for the user. Last, he would demonstrate by asking a question from those in his PLN to gain insight into a topic he wanted to know more about. His hope is to demonstrate the easy access of the program and educational uses as well.

Another nice element to the blog is that it featured a website that could be used for PLN. The website is called Qwestler. Qwestler is shares similarities to other of the social networking websites that you may know about. Take a look at the tour and the info page to gain more information.

After the video the article provides 5 tips to help you create and begin your own PLN. Check out the blog to go through the steps of beginning your PLN. Use this link The Innovative Educator.