This document discusses how to build a personal learning network (PLN) using various Web 2.0 tools. It introduces PLNs and explains that they allow individuals to learn from and with others through collaboration. It then provides information on social bookmarking sites like Delicious and Diigo, blogging, RSS feeds, microblogging on Twitter, online communities on Ning and Facebook, photo sharing on Flickr, and emphasizes the importance of both online and offline networking.

1. Using Web 2.0 Tools to Build and Maintain a Personal Learning Network E. Gregory November 27, 2009 Gold Trail School District Non-Instructional Day

2. Do you… Use email? Use del.icio.us/diigo? Use Twitter? Blog? Have a Flickr Account? Use RSS feedburners? Have a facebook account? Taking the temperature…

3. Tim Berners- Lee invented the world wide web in the early 90s Web 1.0 vs Web 2.0 Web 2.0 is interactive, collaborative, and user centered. What is Web 2.0?

4. Not a new concept Learning together with others ‘PLN’ = Professional development + Web 2.0 tools My favourite PLN tools: What is a ‘Personal Learning Network’?

5. My PLN in the last year:From local to global The ClustrMap on my blog shows where my readers are:

6. The Networked Teacher - Update October 2008 (Alec Couros)

8. Questions? Comments?

9. Here comes the fun part…  Del.icio.us/diigo Edublogs/Blogger Aggregators/RSS Twitter Nings/CEET/Wikis Flickr Time for the Web 2.0 Tools!

10. Purpose: A way to organize and share favourite sites Much more than saving a website to your ‘favourites’ Access your bookmarks from any computer All sites in this presentation tagged “Nov2009NID” on http://delicious.com/emisle Social Bookmarking in Plain English Social Bookmarking

11. Del.icio.us Install the buttons to your toolbar Use tags when you save your bookmarks Start creating a network to learn from/with others diigo – takes this further More organization and search features iPhone app Sticky notes Collaborative features (groups) Two Main Social Bookmarking Sites:

12. Much, much more than an online journal ‘blog’ is short for ‘weblog’ 900,000 – average # of blog posts in a 24 hr period Many free hosting sites (Edublogs, Blogger) Multiple purposes: To read and write To think, plan and reflect To gather/organize/share information To explore new ideas To collaborate and start/continue dialogue To connect To learn Blogging

13. The Top 200 Education Blogs Blogs I Read from Just a Thought (my blog) Do a Google Blog search Whatever interests you! Blogs to read:

14. Purpose: Helps to efficiently gather information Have the content you want come to you! RSS in Plain English Aggregates syndicated web content (blogs, podcasts, etc.) on one site for easy viewing Google Reader Like checking your email – check mine Collaborative – you can share with others Netvibes – good example Art 2.0 Blogroll Pageflakes Aggregators

15. Twitter – 6 million users in April 2009 Original purpose: To answer a simple question - What are you doing right now? “has blown my professional mindset wind open” Limited to 140 characters Very current, THE way to be connected You ‘follow’ people, people ‘follow’ you You can block people – check your followers Can become dialogue Can retweet Can share links, resources, photos, etc. Use an application like Tweetdeck or Twhirl Microblogging

16. Purpose: “to create and join social networks for your interests and passions” (www.ning.com) Nings – so many! Easy to create Used by teachers for pro-d and with students Flat Classroom Project Classroom 2.0 – over 34 000 members! The Educator’s PLN Art Education 2.0 Online Learning Communities

17. CEET - Community of Expertise in Educational Technology B.C. based Started in the spring of 2009 Wikis – collaborative website with editable pages Social Networking Sites Facebook – 200 000 000 active users More Online Communities

18. Online photo management/sharing site Online community – groups/collaborative Every group you can think of! Popular with bloggers as a photo repository Creative commons licences Use www.behold.cc to search based on copyright Over 4 billion images as of October 2009 Flickr

19. Questions? Comments?

20. PLN Yourself by Sue Waters NovNID2009 tag on http://delicious.com/emisle Observe, lurk… Try, comment! Read, ask for help… Share, question, reflect! Create, encourage! Where to start?

21. Just remember… Face to Face (f2f) is important too! Think about who you want in your PLN. My requirements… Netiquette Grandma Rule: If you wouldn’t say it to the nicest of grannies, don’t say it on the internet Read up on these sites before you start – lots of ‘beginner tips’ or ‘newbies advice’ information out there Privacy Anonymous email address (gmail is great) Decide on your comfort level Never put any personal information online Watch indirect references to locations, etc. Get creative with your photo!

22. Networked teacher image by Alec Couros accessed on November 26, 2009 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/courosa/2922421696/in/set-72157615129270288/ http://thefuturebuzz.com/2009/01/12/social-media-web-20-internet-numbers-stats/ – accessed November 26, 2009 Wikipedia – accessed November 26, 2009 www.ning.com – accessed November 26, 2009 References: