Thing 16 - Professional Learning Networks

1. LearnPort

Interesting, the first page that I came to labeled GRPS My Choice said that I was not required to take and courses and there was  no mandatory training listed. I say interesting because I have just found out that GRPS has a moodle account set up with New Teacher requirements and I was to have completed them but the deadline has been extended. As I went through them this evening I discovered that I have 7 modules to read and complete. Overload. Looks like GRPS went for the Moodle and not LearnPort for this.

2. I am not interested in Twitter at this time. I understand it's function and attraction but I am feeling such a connection to technology that I hesitate to overload myself. I prefer one piece at a time. Perhaps it is my age, perhaps digesting information in small bites is more appealing to me. I developed a Facebook page years ago in an effort to have instant and open communication and pictures to share with my grown children. I have used it to develop learning communities with not only my family but with librarians/media specialists that I have worked with over the years and some that I communicate with on  a regular basis. I am not currently in a classroom but I have seen the obsessed actions of people on Facebook and have heard from those who refuse to use it. I see it more as a social piece at this time perhaps developing further into a professional piece in the near future.

3. MACUL

4. Michigan Association of Media in Education (MAME) has always been my #1 regional organization. I have attended conferences, developed relationships and networks, used their listserv and recommended the conference and listserv to many library staff. Somehow I have strayed away from the listserv due to being out of the profession for a year and a half and stayed away this year because of the membership dues enforced in order to subscribe. Time to sign up again. The site itself is not spectacular but I do enjoy the connection with the library people out there. I have managed to help many with their library questions in the past because of my experience and practical nature. I would like to do it again. Goal for 2011-2012!

 

 Connections to Marzano Strategies: Cooperative Learning; Objectives and Feedback; Reinforce Effort and Provide Recognition.