After doing this map, I realized that a lot of what I do is intuitive. I don't realize everything I use.
Years ago, I taught for the Navy onboard deployed naval vessels. Until that time, I never gave thought to my network and PLN was not a concept used! Once I started teaching solo, away from colleagues, I learned how important PLNs are. At the time, I had email as the way to connect to colleagues. Today, I use a variety of tools to connect within my network.
My network has changed the way I learn. I am more apt to try new technologies especially since I know that many in my network are working with technologies. I have also started to use PLN recommendations for trying new technologies. My knowledge base on overall, non-technical topics, however, has grown the most. Because of the networks I have created, I have found relevant and time worthy professional development opportunities. I find that with these opportunities, I am stepping outside my comfort zone more.
I tinker. That means I use a lot of different tools until I find what works best for me. I am easily agitated when someone goofs a technology they are using to teach something. I think for any technology to be effective and useful, the presenter/teacher needs to be comfortable with the technology. If they aren’t, the whole experience is painful. Power Point and narrated PPTs are hideous in my opinion. I learn nothing from these. Seeing the same information published in a video from Voice Thread or similar is superior in my opinion. I learn more even though it is the same information. Videos, podcasts, and vodcasts are the top technologies in what I find useful. Blogging is a low-tech tool that I also find useful when I am learning new information. I find these super helpful, especially when they link out.
When I have questions or need resources, I have two starters. The first is Google. The second is my PLN. I really can’t say why I choose Google as my search engine. I just do because it rarely disappoints. I can also switch to Google Scholar with one click. This saves time because I am not stopping and then starting a new search. In the last couple of years, I have spent time cultivating my PLN. This is also a philosophy I preach to my students. The more people you know, the more you know.
Because I tinker and explore, I think that I have found real gems both virtually and in real life. I think the key is to be open to exploring and playing around with new technologies. More important, I think it’s important to network and make connections with people we may never know.
I am a huge fan of Clay Shirky and his thoughts on networks:
This is a new find from Steven Johnson on how connections are what really make those AH HA! moments.
This is a cool TED link on collaboration:
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