Before this class I didn't really have an internet presence. Without an internet presence I didn't really have a personal learning network. If I needed to know something I just Google searched it but once I was done with it changes are I lost it or bookmarked it with the browsers bookmark which got filled up easily with many different sites, blogs, wikis and more and eventually I would have to start deleting items off my bookmark. What has changed because of this course?
I have an Internet presence. We used many new tools in the class some I have come to enjoy. I now use social bookmarking sites like Diigo. I even created a second account to keep track of many different things that interest me and help me learn. It took a while to get use to using it because I was more accustomed to the old school way of bookmarking. One things I can say about Diigo is that joining groups is a good way to find articles, blogs and sources in general. I'm still learning how to use it, I can't figure out how to add things to list yet so there is still some things to learn.
I know it wasn't a requirement for the class but I created a Twitter. Granted I have no clue how to use it at all, and aside from following my friends I don't use it for anything yet. I want to learn how to use it in a classroom so I have been reading up on how others use it in a classroom, again bookmarked with Diigo. The point I am trying to make is that I'm trying new tools on my own and trying to apply them to my field of study.
I still don't like blogging, but I have started another blog. I use it mostly just to re-blog items I find interesting because I haven't really found a real reason to blog yet. It fills up some free time to just explore other blogs and you learn some fun little facts every so often. I believe blogging however will become very useful for me as a computer science educator. I like the idea of using it for homework and student peer communication. Its also a wonderful place for feedback and reflection.
I don't think its a matter of "have" or "have not" when thinking about if I have built a PLN. I can honestly say that I am building one. I'm trying new things to see what I like and what works best with my way of thinking. In regard to my PLN I can say it is still a work in progress because you can never really stop learning when you are interested in something.
First, your Animoto video and lesson plan are really great. My boys give both of them good marks! It's impressive you have tried out other tools to use especially creating another blog when blogging isn't your favorite. I don't know if I can say I have developed any kind of computer skills (!) but I have learned the benefits of Web tools, not to be afraid of technology and to explore and play on sites to learn more about them.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm where you are at in creating a PLN. Although I applaud your sign up for a Twitter account. I'm holding out on that social tool thus far. I'd be interested in the resources you found for using Twitter in the classroom. Can you share your Diigo bookmarks with our group?
ReplyDeleteI have to say I really love how you are trying new things and exploring on your own. You have come such a long way from the start of this class and you are much more open in your writing and thinking process. That is so exciting to me and I know it will benefit you in your future work. Just being open and connected when you pursue your field of interest in computer programming is going to be wonderful. I just came across a great article that discusses programming and how even marketing students should be exposed to some of it in order to understand how the business works. Sorry, College Grads, I Probably Won't Hire You
ReplyDeleteTwitter is a curious thing! If you look for me on it, you could see who I follow. Twitter is a place I could spend all day and just collect resources from. I hardly tweet, but possibly retweet if I like something someone has posted. Right now twitter seems super social for my teen agers but it is also a great place to find information or actually find out in real time what is happening all over the world.
When the Boston bombings happened, my daughter texted me that a bomb went off. She was .2 miles away around the corner from the second explosion. We immediately went to CNN who did not even have the story. Nothing... only on twitter did we see what was happening in real time. This also goes for the earthquake in Japan and other natural disasters, etc. It is news in the making and now we are all reporters.
Happy to see how you are creating your own PLN that works for you. That is great.