Personal / Professional Learning Networks

With rapid change it is more and more important to keep up with change and practice lifelong learning. There are so many opportunities available for self-directed learning. Through connections, both face to face and virtual, you can establish a network of co-learners with whom you can share your practice and learn from theirs.

Definition:	A personal or professional learning network is created through connecting with others to learn, share, attract information sources for a personal or professional goal. In the past we networked with people face to face. As technology has evolved we are able to network virtually and "meet" people with similar interests. The network can help guide learning, answer questions and point to interesting articles, blog posts, podcasts...
Tools:	Follow people on Twitter or Plurk Join a network - There are some "nings" for teachers. One of them is Classroom 2.0
How to Begin:	Read blogs - start with just a few. When you are ready, leave a comment Attend virtual events such as webcasts. You can find some listed on the Classroom 2.0 Home Page. Add your voice to the chat room and make connections. Join Twitter -  There are many teachers, consultants and librarians who exchange information regularly through twitter. Find someone you know, and through them you can meet other educators who will point you to interesting articles, ask questions and who support each other's learning. Stay in touch with people you meet at conferences through e-mail, twitter, Skype and other online tools. Start bookmarking in Delicious or Diigo. You can create a network of people you follow and learn from what they are bookmarking. They can learn from you, too. (See Social Bookmarking)

Here is a great site The Art & Technique of Personal Learning Networks by David Warlick where you can learn about creating a personal learning network

LEARN hosts a number of Learning Communities.        You can find them here.