Relection on PLN

I never dreamed that I would be able to connect with so many people when I started this course.  My Personal Learning Network has grown tremendously especially since I participated in Twitter chats.  I am also using Pinterest, Facebook, Blogger, Ning, Feedly, Skype, Diigo, Google +, LinkedIn, and Wiki to continue building my Personal Learning Network. 

Visual Reflection

Twitter Chat

My first Twitter chat I participated in was Web 2.0 Tools…#web20tools.  There were only four participants with three of us being from #MBU543.  We tweeted about the different Web 2.0 tools we have used, how we have used then in our classrooms and which ones are our favorites.  The other participants provided me with different Web 2.0 tools that I hadn’t used before.  I truly enjoyed being a part of this chat.  It was definitely a great experience for my first Twitter chat.   

 

Character Education…#characteredchat…was the other Twitter chat I participated in.  The topic was Common Core State Standards and how are educators implementing CCSS with character education.  Participation was poor; however I was provided with resources on CCSS and character education.  Character Counts has the model standards on their website charactercounts.org.

 

I glad I chose #web20tools and #characteredchat as my first two chats to participate in.  I would have been really overwhelmed to have been a part of a fast pace chat. 

METC14

I attended the METC14 for the first time as a facilitator.  Wow….It was a wonderful learning opportunity.  The keynote speaker, Kevin Honeycutt, was inspiring and motivating.  He captured the audiences’ attention from the start. 

 

During my facilitator role, I experienced some of the presenters were glad to have you and others were rude and made you feel like you were a distraction. 

 

The first session I facilitated was Distance Learning - Bringing the Outside World into the Classroom.  The speakers provided examples on how you can connect with other classrooms, speakers, etc all around the world.  They also discussed how Education Plus can help you find the resources you need and connect you with them.  One presenter explained Google Hangout.  It is a lot like Skype, but better.  You can connect with up to ten people at a time.  I felt sorry for the presenters because no one could get their sound to work.  You are at a technology conference and can’t get the technology to work….crazy!

 

Are You Ready To Have Your Students Blog? was the second session I facilitated.  The presenter walked the audience through how to set up a blog in your classroom.  His recommendation was to use Kidblog.  He provided the audience with what has worked and suggestions on things he might do differently.

 

My final facilitating session was Motivate Your School with a Morning Broadcast.  This session was awesome!  The presenter shared how she wrote a grant to purchase the equipment needed for broadcasting.  The segments are pre-recorded and she uses iMovie.  The cast made up of fourth grade students were present and each shared their role.  Each student writes their script and must share it with the teacher prior to taping.  The presenter shared a broadcast with the audience.  The students did a fantastic job with the morning broadcast.  This is definitely something I would like to bring to my school. 

 

 

 

 

Social Networking

“Social networking refers to the aspect of Web 2.0 that allows users to create links between their online presence such as a webpage or a collection of photos.  These links may be through joining online groups or by assigning direct links to other users through lists of “friends” or contacts” (Solomon & Schrum p 80).

 

Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest are the social networking sites that I have been using for a while.  I can use all three sites for personal and professional.  I LOVE Pinterest! That is so far my favorite social networking site. 

 

Pinterest is an online pinboard, a visual take on the social networking site.  Unlike other social networking sites, such as Diigo, content shared on Pinterest is driven entirely by pictures.  Like every other social networking Pinterest has its own lingo.  Each bookmark is called a pin and when you share someone else’s pin it is called a repin.  You can group pins together by topic onto various boards in your profile.  Pinterest allows you to share images you find online or you can directly upload images onto Pinterest.  Using the Pin It button, you can share directly in your browser from any web page.  You can also share your pins on Twitter and Facebook.

 

I searched “Autism” on Pinterest and found several pins.  Here are a few of the links:

 

http://www.activitieschildren.net/2013/08/SocialSkillsActivitiesForKidsWithAutism.html

http://autism.lovetoknow.com/Free_Lesson_Plans_for_Autistic_Kids

http://autism.lovetoknow.com/Social_Skills_Activities_for_Kids_with_Autism

Below are resource links for diverse learners from Pinterest:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Printable-Lesson-Plan-Template-for-Teachers-Think-Diverse-Learners-1044359

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/MichelleMcFarland-McDaniels/differentiated-acid-rain-lesson-plan-and-reflection

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Design-a-Store-Just-Print-Differentiated-Math-Project-635603

https://www.teachervision.com/learning-disabilities/printable/6727.html

edWeb is another social networking site I joined.  edWeb.net is a professional social and learning network that makes is easy for anyone in the education community to connect with peers, share information and best practices, spread innovative ideas, and provide professional development.

edWeb offers blogs, discussion forms, resource library, photo albums, bloglinks, and weblinks.  I searched “Autism” on edWeb and there are a ton of resources available.  edWeb also has 37 Boards with 316 Pins on Pinterest! How cool is that!

The Educator’s PLN Ning is a social networking site offers several different resources for educators.  The offer tutorials for Web 2.0 Apps such as Insta Grok, Pinterest, Prezi, Evernote, EasyBib SmartBrief, and Dropbox to name a few.  I found this very convenient because all the tutorials are all in one place.  The site also offers student created videos and podcasts.  Under the Resource tap, I can across “The Differentiator.” The Differentiator is based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, Sandra Kaplan’s Flip Book and Flip Book, Too, and David Chung’s product menu.  Below is the link to The Differentiator:

http://byrdseed.com/differentiator/#

I also searched “diverse learners” on The Educator’s PLN Ning and 334 results popped up ranging from students with autism to best math apps to test your students skills with examination online skill testing software. 

iPad in Education Ning is a great social networking site.  The site offers iPad apps for K-6, Educators Essentials iPad Toolkit, and Parents Guide to Educational iPad Games.  Loved all the suggestions!

The site also offers weekly discussions.  This week’s topic is “Your most effective media project.” These discussions will be a great resource to any educator. The site also has blog posts and forums.

You can follow iPads in Education Ning on Twitter - # iPadEd.