10 Tips for PLN Educators Reflections

Dr .Mark Wagner wrote "Personal Learning Networks for Educators: 10 Tips". I like that this article was kept simple, but had links to further pursue if interested. It was broken up nicely and made some great points. The first 4 tips fell under the category of:

Learning to Network and Networking to Learn

 

Great title.
 

1. Connect

2. Contribute
3. Converse
4. Request

I feel like we do a great job of this at our weekly PLN, just not on a global level.

Next was:

Networking Tools and Anecdotes

 

This area seems to be being taken care of through Elite trainings.
 

5. Blog 
6. Tweet
7. Join Classroom 2.0 
8. Use Google+

 And finally 

Final Thoughts

9. Be Patient 
10. Be Authentic

I think this is a great article to get started networking. I honestly wish I had more time to dedicate to this.  I am fortunate to not feel isolated in my classroom (as Dr. Wagner says some educators feel) and to have an abundance of support.
I can see how it can keep me connected to the larger learning community and be a benefit to my education and therefore my students. Dr. Wagner says  "All educators (and learners) can benefit from extending their own personal learning network online – beyond the walls of their schools, the boundaries of their districts, and the limits of their experience."  and I agree. Doing more networking and connecting to the global learning community is something I definitely want to further pursue once I get my first year back teaching under my belt. I feel a summer project coming on! I do feel it is something for more experienced educators. I feel like I am just learning the ropes of my curriculum. I need to focus on it and my students now. I am enjoying the benefits of other's experience and wisdom right now and hope to be on the contributing end soon!