A Seventh Graders Personal Learning Environment
This YouTube video features a seventh grade science student explaining her PLN and how she uses it. She has created a PLN which contains a few sites for personal use only but the majority of the sites contribute to her school work. She effectively uses her PLN to store sites that aid her in her daily school schedule as well as places to store research material that she is putting together for research papers. She really likes using her PLN because it puts her tools at her fingertips and she can create projects that are not only educational but fun. She says that everything is neat and it's not like book work. She also likes the freedom that the internet allows.
This seventh grader has many of the same useful work tools in her PLN as I do such as Blogger, Delicious, Evernote, Glogster, and Blogger. We also have the same social networking sites such as Skype, and Facebook. Many of the projects that she is working on or has created are stored in her PLN. I do not have much work sored in my PLN yet just my blog. I have many sites and blogs that deal with educational resources on my PLN that she would not have a need for. Everytime I am introduced to a educational site that I think I may find valuable as a teacher I put it in my PLN. Hopefully by the time I am teaching I will have PLN full of helpful links that can answer all my questions and help me be a more effective teacher.
Two Questions That Can Change Your Life
What Is Your Question?/ What Is My Question?
What is my question? This has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to narrow down. If it has to be just one I guess it is that I was there for my kids and that I made a difference in the betterment of their lives. This question ties into the reasons why I have chosen to become a teacher. The first reason is that I want to have more time to spend with my kids. The second reason is that I have always wanted to teach kids and help to guide them in the right directions. I want to be there for my own kids as well as my students and help to make their lives better.
Am I better today than yesterday? Well I have made some accomplishments today, one being this blogpost. I learn something new everyday and I am better for that. Am I better today as far as being there for my kids? Probably not. It seems like life is so demanding right now that to accomplish some things I have to fall short on others. I know that this will change sooner than later and it is that certainty that keeps me driving forward. I do hope that I am setting a good example for my kids to work hard to accomplish something good and I hope that they know that I am doing it for them as well as myself.
You will be amazed at how your PLN will snowball once you get started. Now, this 7th. grader was actually just looking at the online environment (actually a PLE). Remember your PLN can also incorporate people and physical places. SS
ReplyDeleteGreat reflection Alison. I know what you are saying about being their for the kids. I have four children myself and I do my best but sometimes i wonder if it is enough. Asking that second question every night before bed is a good way to keep focused on what is important.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is looking great1 Keep up the good work. ss
Hi Elizabeth!
ReplyDeleteI also thought it was amazing how organized and efficient her PLE was. I too hope that my PLN will help and further my efficiency as a teacher. I also liked your statement. Great post!