Journal #2

Ferguson, H. (2010). Join the flock. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), 12-14. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/June_July_2010_Join_the_Flock.sflb.ashx

McClintock Miller, S. (2010). Enhance Your Twitter Experience. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), 14-17. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/June_July_2010_Join_the_Flock.sflb.ashx 

The articles, “Join the Flock” and “Enhance Your Twitter Experience” discuss the many educational benefits that Twitter acquires through a Professional Learning Network, or “PLN.” They express the importance of networking with fellow educators. Ferguson talks about the processes of building relationship with colleagues and then slowly learning from them at work, whereas Twitter has the capability of quickly turning strangers into a community of learners and educators. Miller says that without Twitter, she would have never been able to connect with teachers around the world who have helped her with lesson plans. The articles also go in further in depth discussing the steps in creating a Twitter and how to link up with others.

Q: How can I find other educators to follow?
A: One way to find people to follow is by checking out lists that people create and then discover even more Tweeters from there. This will slowly build your PLN. You can also search for key words that will hook you up with many users with similar interests. It can be beneficial to search through more followers of those you are following and read through their short bios.

Q. What is a PLN?
A. I PLN (Professional Learning Network) is an online community of individuals trading information and learning together. It can be for one specific purpose, or it can be more of a broad subject. For instance, you may become a part of an educational PLN, or you can be more specific and become part of a historical educational PLN.