semester was Professional Learning Networks. I figured that the world of Personal
Learning Networks couldn’t be too far off, and for lack of better terms, there is
definitely a “connection” between the two.
I am pleasantly surprised with the “Personal Learning Network” book at this point.
Throughout the introduction and the first few chapters I found myself laughing, nodding
and agreeing with what was being said. The two scenarios with the newspaper and
Blockbuster made total sense, and I love how they started the book off with a scenario
about a non-educator, so readers are able to see that Personal Learning Networks are
not just something that teachers would benefit from.
Throughout the introduction and the first few chapters I found myself laughing, nodding
and agreeing with what was being said. The two scenarios with the newspaper and
Blockbuster made total sense, and I love how they started the book off with a scenario
about a non-educator, so readers are able to see that Personal Learning Networks are
not just something that teachers would benefit from.
One of the lines in the book that spoke to me was when the authors said, “Overcoming
the traditional view of education is the hardest part.” That seems so silly, but so very true
at the same time. I’m just thinking of people that I work with that are set in their ways, doing
what they have always done and the comments I have seen online about “this is the way we
were taught and we turned out fine.” Yes, they are fine. However, the world is very different
now, and it continues to change. It makes total sense to adjust what we are doing. It does
seem daunting and it would have to be a total transformation for sure. The author’s mentioned
the seven common traits of schools using networks:
- Students are better prepared for life and work in the 21st century
- Classrooms are more engaging
- Students are responsible for their own learning
- Instruction is more individualized
- Adults become better at their jobs and build problem-solving capacity
- Students are safer
- Schools save time and money
the traditional view of education is the hardest part.” That seems so silly, but so very true
at the same time. I’m just thinking of people that I work with that are set in their ways, doing
what they have always done and the comments I have seen online about “this is the way we
were taught and we turned out fine.” Yes, they are fine. However, the world is very different
now, and it continues to change. It makes total sense to adjust what we are doing. It does
seem daunting and it would have to be a total transformation for sure. The author’s mentioned
the seven common traits of schools using networks:
- Students are better prepared for life and work in the 21st century
- Classrooms are more engaging
- Students are responsible for their own learning
- Instruction is more individualized
- Adults become better at their jobs and build problem-solving capacity
- Students are safer
- Schools save time and money
Everything on this list is exactly what teachers, administrators, parents, students and
community members would want. There doesn’t seem to be a downside to switching our
thinking, but if it was that easy, we would have made the changes years ago.
community members would want. There doesn’t seem to be a downside to switching our
thinking, but if it was that easy, we would have made the changes years ago.
The idea that students belong to their own Personal Learning Networks and they are
essentially in the driver’s seat of their education is both exciting and scary. As I was reading,
I thought to myself, “I’m not sure how some of my students would handle this.” We all know
that kids are naturally curious creatures, but I have some serious concerns with students
choosing what they learn so to speak and staying on task. They said that this process
can work in any school with technology and an internet connection, but I would like
some more information on how this works exactly. In theory, it all sounds great, but
I want to know how it would work in MY classroom. I think I have to be patient because
the next chapter is about implementing personal learning networks in the classroom.
essentially in the driver’s seat of their education is both exciting and scary. As I was reading,
I thought to myself, “I’m not sure how some of my students would handle this.” We all know
that kids are naturally curious creatures, but I have some serious concerns with students
choosing what they learn so to speak and staying on task. They said that this process
can work in any school with technology and an internet connection, but I would like
some more information on how this works exactly. In theory, it all sounds great, but
I want to know how it would work in MY classroom. I think I have to be patient because
the next chapter is about implementing personal learning networks in the classroom.
In the second chapter about becoming a networked learner it was nice to see some
“familiar faces” in the form of Twitter, Facebook, Diigo, Blogger and Google Reader
(now Feedly.) Although I’m not super familiar with Twitter and Feedly, I am starting to
dabble in Blogger, I’ve been on Facebook for over a decade ,and I created my own Diigo
account last semester and never looked back. I have a lot to learn and experiment with,
but it is nice to know that I already utilize great resources that make me a network learner.
I found it very helpful that the author’s had some instruction and pointers about how to jump
in and get started with each resource. After looking at the course syllabus and upcoming
assignments, I know that I will gain more familiarity with Twitter and Feedly, and I will
continue to grow as a learner. At the end of the chapter, I found comfort in this
reminder: “And remember, it’s not a race; no one is grading you, and everyone will travel
a different path.”
“familiar faces” in the form of Twitter, Facebook, Diigo, Blogger and Google Reader
(now Feedly.) Although I’m not super familiar with Twitter and Feedly, I am starting to
dabble in Blogger, I’ve been on Facebook for over a decade ,and I created my own Diigo
account last semester and never looked back. I have a lot to learn and experiment with,
but it is nice to know that I already utilize great resources that make me a network learner.
I found it very helpful that the author’s had some instruction and pointers about how to jump
in and get started with each resource. After looking at the course syllabus and upcoming
assignments, I know that I will gain more familiarity with Twitter and Feedly, and I will
continue to grow as a learner. At the end of the chapter, I found comfort in this
reminder: “And remember, it’s not a race; no one is grading you, and everyone will travel
a different path.”
After I finished the reading, I did a little looking around the web and found a few resources
that might be helpful to others starting the journey to create a personal learning network.
that might be helpful to others starting the journey to create a personal learning network.
I was really excited with all the resources that were mentioned in chapter 2 as well as ideas on how to incorporate them into your own PLN. I said earlier that I consider myself a novice when it comes to social networking but one thing about me is that I am very eager to learn new things that I believe have value. I can be very critical when I feel like my time is being wasted and beyond enthusiastic when I feel like what I am learning has value. I have entered into a few classes so far that I believed (in the beginning) were essentially hoops to jump through and had serious doubts about their value to me and I can happily say that not a single class up to this point has let me down. I am probably most excited about feedly and twitter and have started using them both daily. I will probably have to figure out how to manage my time with social media so that it doesn't interfere with other obligations and limit myself to a few tools.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your review of the chapters. I found myself agreeing as well with a lot of what they mentioned. I am in the same boat as you with hearing "we were taught this way and we are fine" as well as the fact that times are changing. I have decided to move my ELA work to OneNote for my students to complete on the iPads and have already seen improvement in scores and work completion. Even though it is the same thing as what they would be doing if I printed the material out, working on the iPads is much more engaging for my students. As educators, we are constantly having to change our ways which is difficult but beneficial. I think if districts gave more support and training, maybe teachers would be more inclined. As I write this, I am actually training another teacher on OneNote because she has seen the benefits in my classroom!
ReplyDeleteThe networking sites that were mentioned are beneficial to use, especially as educators. There are so many great resources out there to help with whatever it may be you are looking for. From blogs to discussion forums, networking sites are another tool to add to our belt. The ones mentioned in chapter two are great to use with finding groups, specific people, and blogs on what people know works and doesn’t work. I really like the link to the blog Edutopia. That blog is one of my personal favorites because they write about a wide variety of trends and ideas in education and how it works in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeleteRE: "I’m just thinking of people that I work with that are set in their ways, doing what they have always done and the comments I have seen online about “this is the way we were taught and we turned out fine.” Yes, they are fine. However, the world is very different
now, and it continues to change."
I encounter a few of these laggard teachers in every school across the country where I train. I have even been told, while attempting to engage a non-participating teacher, "I'm waiting for retirement so I don't need to learn any of this." I cringe when I encounter these teachers. As educators, we are masters of the learning process. We should know how to teach/learn anything! They are doing such a disservice to their students. They have no place in education.
Dr. Dell