Web 2.0 Tools &Personal Learning Networks (PLNs)

Blanca E. DuarteIntel SouthAsia WebinarJuly 14, 2009

Nature, Man & Technology

“Everything is connected to everything else.”

- Barry Commoner, The Closing Circle: Nature, Man & Technology, 1971

DEFINITIONS OF PLN

A Personal Learning Network is a “connected” collection of tools that one can use to build their capacity and knowledge.

- EKB, 2009

The Networked Student

How Do We Learn Today?

Work In Progress – Cycle of Information

How Many of You Belong To…

• FACEBOOK• MY SPACE• LINKED IN• CLASSROOM 2.0 OR NING• TWITTER• DIIGO, DIGG or DELICIOUS• ELGG OR LEARNCENTRAL• FLICKR• ONLINE COMMUNITY

25 Tools : A Toolbox for Learning Professionals by Jane Hart

Building A Personal Learning Network

Use an Aggregator: Netvibes, Pageflakes, Google WaveCreate or Join a Social NetworkUse an RSS Feeder like Google ReaderCheck out iTunes University

PersonalPersonal

NPR NewsNPR News

Mac Rumors

Mac Rumors

Business & Tech News

Business & Tech News

TwitterMicro-

blogging

TwitterMicro-

blogging

Horizon Report 2009 K-12

• Compiled by an International Advisory Board that identifies emerging technologies likely to have a significant impact on education in:– Teaching– Learning– Research– Creative Expression

IN 2009, THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ARE…

2009 EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

• COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTS• ONLINE COMMUNICATION TOOLS

(CHAT,SKYPE)• MOBILES (3RD PARTY APPLICATIONS)• CLOUD COMPUTING (FLICKR, YOUTUBE,

BLOGGER)• SMART OBJECTS (METATAGGING)• THE PERSONAL WEB (ELGG, ZOTERO, PLNs)

2009 EMERGING TECHNOLOGIESTime to Adoption in Teaching/Learning

• COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTS ≤ 1 YEAR• ONLINE COMMUNICATION TOOLS ≤ 1 YEAR• MOBILES 2-3 YEARS• CLOUD COMPUTING 2-3 YEARS• SMART OBJECTS 4-5 YEARS• THE PERSONAL WEB 4-5 YEARS

What DO PLNs Provide?

• A Support Structure• Various Ways to Communicate: Discussion

Forums, Chats, Polls, etc.• Sharing Opportunities• Exploratory Areas for Innovation (groups), Self-

Reflection (blogs), & Learning• Online PLNs are a Vehicle for Creating and

Sharing Professional & Personal Experiences• A 21st Century Learning Environment with

Audiences, Flexibility of Design and Expanded Involvement

Educator Social Network Example

http://www.classroom20.com

Example: PLN

http://schoolleadership.ning.com

CREDITS

HORIZON REPORT 2009 K-12 EDITION

The Networked Student used with permission by Wendy Drexler, 2008. For educational purposes only.

The Networked Teacher: http://www.flickr.com/photos/courosa/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

CommonCraft videos used under the Creative Commons licenseHow Much Info? http://www2.sims.berkeley.edu/research/projects/how-much-info-2003/execsum.htm#summary