What is a PLN?

Begin an answer to this questions by watching the video at: http://vimeo.com/21728132

Google Alerts is a must tool for educators

If you don't have time to spend researching a topic, but you know that you need to learn more about a topic for your classroom or for your school, I present to you Google Alerts. This new Google tool puts the powerful search engine to work each and every day without the user having to perform a single keystroke.

The way it works is that you set up the searches you want Google to perform automatically at times you specify. I ask Google Alerts to ping me once a day. I set up the search parameters and I'm suddenly a genius about the topic I'm researching. The searches contain only the latest, up-to-the second information.

I guarantee that you will find Google Alerts a nice addition to your Personal Learning Network, which, by the way, is one of the topics I'm learning more about each and every day through...Google Alerts.

http://www.google.com/alerts

Are you drinking Web 2.0 from a firehose?

Web 2.0 - Like Drinking Water from a Fire Hose By Frank Pileiro

In this article, Frank Pileiro makes an excellent observation:
 

"It seems that every time I turn around I see another new, or new and improved, tool out there that catches my attention and sends my mind into the, “I gotta sign up for that,” mode. I have to admit it is very enticing when you see all of these innovative new tools coming at you fast and furious."

His advice?

The best advice that I can give is to take a deep breath and do your homework while developing your own Web 2.0 “Tool Kit.” By doing this you can develop skills and lessons based around your tool kit and then grow them from there. It’s very tempting to want to try all of the new things that you come across, but you need to explore them and make a decision as to whether that will work for you or not. Don’t try to “drink” them all in, take small “sips.”

Read the full article at: http://www.techlearning.com/article/Blogs/Blogs/37780

Storybird Revisited: Better than I thought!

Last week, I told you about Storybird (see previous post.) Before I posted, I created a story called "The Day The Letter Came," a piece that is definitely not a masterpiece I assure you. No matter--the positive responses began flowing from kids across the net. I really did get a kick from reading them. Here are some of the comments about the story:

• that was the most adorable, realistic story i've read on storybird!!!! GREAT JOB!!!! 
• nice story it made me smile :)  
• it is wonderful 
• This Story is really good!! <3 :) 

Now who wouldn't get a little pumped from such high praise! I encourage you to get your kids into Storybird; they can create, publish, and critique all in one sight. Go for it!!

Check out my wonderful story by clicking below.

The Day The Letter Came

How do students learn?

Watch this student-created video to see how kids learn and how we better!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwM4ieFOotA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Author, Publish & Share with Storybird

Storybird is a great site for...well, I was about to say for elementary kids, but really, it's a great site for anyone who has a love of storytelling. Younger kids especially will enjoy reading the growing public library of well-illustrated stories as well as adding their own creations. Older students could use this site as a service learning project, authoring and illustrating stories of their own. Teachers will find this a multi-purpose tool, with the ability to assign reading, writing, and discussions all about the excellent tales in...Storybird.

Check it out here: Storybird

You Must Visit this Site

International educator John Larkin has created a fantastic site for anyone who love the utilization of technology for learning. He has workshops, news items, an awesome connections tab with all the current top educators in the field of educational technology, and on, and on, and on...  Did I mention that you must visit this site? No kidding, you simply must check this out. One of the best I've seen. I'm going to spend hours making this part of my PLN (Personal Learning Network).

John Larkin Website

Twitter Saves Time

Many people have negative views of Twitter as nothing more than finding out where P-Diddy is at the moment, but this article shows how really valuable a tool in your Personal Learning Network (PLN) Twitter can be. Click the link below and find out how.

 Twitter Can Save You Time

ASCD SmartBrief

Okay, mostly I'm on here to figure this out... and to make Jay happy. ;-)

Thanks for sharing about the ASCD SmartBriefs at our last meeting. They are great..... my next project is to figure out google docs.

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