Wendy Drexler PhD discusses personal learning environments (PLEs) and their potential role in K-12 education. She describes issues with integrating PLEs, including concerns around access, control and beliefs about learning. However, PLEs could offer benefits like increased student autonomy, responsibility for learning, and a foundation for lifelong learning. Drexler conducted a study with 100 7th grade science students using self-directed PLEs to study poisonous/venomous organisms. Analysis of student artifacts, interviews and surveys found that with proper support of skills like digital literacy, PLEs can be successfully integrated into formal classroom learning. More work is needed to help teachers understand their changing role and how to implement P

1. Wendy Drexler PhD
University of Florida

2. Activities Issues
Support thesis
Blogs to share and reflect on
resources
Preview resources for class
discussion
Build a WebQuest to study a topic
Time for learning
Writing and critical thinking skills
Motivation
Added complexity
Organization
Pressure on teachers
“A combination of both personal learning environments
and classroom structure will have to exist, at least in US
schools, for some time to come.” John Griffin

3.  Access
 Internet filtering/lock down
 Teacher beliefs about control
 Student beliefs about learning
 FUD
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bredgur/2504973630/

4. http://www.flickr.com/photos/tofflerann/3263433852/sizes/m/in/photostream/

6.  What is a teacher’s role in PLEs?
 What would a PLE look like in K12?
 Can personal learning environments be
integrated with formal learning?
 What processes and skills are necessary to
support construction of PLEs for K12
students?

7.  Student autonomy
 Student responsibility and control of learning
 Extending learning beyond the classroom
 Building foundation for lifelong learning
http://www.flickr.com/photos/g_kat26/3379202140/

9.  100 grade 7 Science Students
 9-week unit: Poisonous/Venomous Life Forms
 Self-selected life form
 27 hours observation
 Student artifacts (PLEs)
 Interviews
 Constructivist Learning Environment Survey

11.  How vs. What
 MODEL
◦ Digital Responsibility
◦ Digital Literacy
◦ Organizing Content
◦ Collaborating/Socializing
◦ Synthesizing/Creating
 Give students more control

12.  Relinquish control
 Communicate to all stakeholders
◦ Parents (Learning advantages)
◦ Students (Expectations)
◦ School Leaders (You have a plan)
 Make friends with the network administrator
 Expect and embrace technical difficulties
 Enjoy the shared learning experience!!!

13.  Open online course
 K12 Teachers
http://bit.ly/plek12signup

14.  Hole in the Wall
http://www.hole-in-the-wall.com/index.html
 http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_sho
ws_how_kids_teach_themselves.html
 Welcome to My PLE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEls3tq5w
IY
 Networked Student Processes and Tools
http://bit.ly/networkedstudentprocess

15.  Twitter: @wendydrexler
 Email: wdrexler@gmail.com
 Website
http://www.wendydrexler.com
 Teach Web 2.0 Consortium
http://teachweb2.wikispaces.com/
 Blog
http://teachweb2.blogspot.com/