PLN

What is a PLN? Well PLN stand for Personal Learning network, which is making connections and building personal relationships with teachers, school, and other people around the world, that’s where the word Personal came from. Then there’s the learning, which is sharing ideas and resources, collaboration, and learning. Teachers may share their learning, ideas and expertise in different ways to help the other teachers around the world. Lastly is the word network. Network is a global learning network, it allows people to tap into and share diverse, global perspectives on teaching strategies, educational issues, and technologies.

                The step that I thought was interesting and the step that I enjoyed reading about the most is using Twitter to build a PLN. Until I started this class I never imagined using Twitter as a tool in education, but I actually really enjoy it and think that it is very beneficial. To start off, what is twitter, if some may not know; well twitter is a social network that allows people to share “tweets” or what most would call short messages. Now anyone can see these tweets, so it is important to make them appropriate. Since Twitter is used all over the world, it opens up many opportunities for teachers to share and learn new things. In the article I read the guy is using Twitter as a virtual classroom (LIKE WE ARE). From my short experience I must say that I have enjoyed using Twitter because it’s easy and quick, as well as I can do it anywhere (computer, phone, iPad, etc.). I also think that students and even teachers would find using Twitter east because most people now days already have one, but there are always the exceptions.

I have to say I would use all of the steps if I was first starting out with Twitter, but I think that it’s important to look deep into them. I think by following all the steps you are more apt to be successful with Twitter. Now with that said I do think I would use this in my future classroom, but only if I am a teacher for the upper classes, such as 8^th and up. The reason I say that is because the younger students aren’t mature enough to be on a social network and it should be the parent’s choice to when they start social networking. With that said I do know that there are many apps out there that are like Twitter, but are more children friendly, such as, What’s-What, ScuttlePad, Schoology, and many many more. Lastly, I think it’s important and beneficial to use Twitter or apps like Twitter, in the classroom.

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