What is a PLN?

During my Connected Educator class, we have been learning about a number of wonderful tools we as teachers can use everyday.  One of those tools is a Professional Learning Network (PLN).  A PLN is your own network of friends, colleagues, and complete strangers from who you can get information.

The following is a brief video explaining what PLNs are and how they work:

All of us are a member of some sort of PLN, whether it be Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pintrest...The list is endless.  One of the better PLNs I was introduced to in my Connected Educator class was edWeb.net.  It has "communities" for all areas ranging from Administration and Leadership to World Languages.  Not only has edWeb.net been a wonderful resource to explore, but it is FREE.  How great is that?

One of the things I am dipping my toe into in the huge ocean of technology is Twitter.  You can follow @TauersTidbits to see what I am doing in my little piece of the world.  I have started to follow @SmartClassrooms to get ideas for the SMART Board that was installed in my classroom right before summer started.  I have also started to follow @ASCD in order to help me stay up on some of the latest trends in education.  As I get more brave, I will continue to add to my list of people/groups I follow on Twitter, because I know it is a quick way to gather a multitude of information.

Best of luck in your networking!

Tauer