October+2012+Team+Tech+Session

=Professional Learning Networks for Teachers=

So, you are working your butt off in your own little world and you are formulating great ideas and creating great content for your students, BUT, did you know you can get out into the world (virtually) and share your ideas and materials with others and they with you so you can tap into the collective intelligence to help your students to learn EVEN BETTER in your classroom!

Wikipedia is the perfect example! Read the article at the link to learn their take on Collective Intelligence.

You are not alone! You may feel uncomfortable with this or think you don't have time for it but you can't afford not to take advantage of this opportunity. Try it on the small scale first.
 * Collaborate with someone on your team, school or district to enhance your teaching.
 * There are lots of great people right under our noses, this is a good place to start.
 * Make sure there is GIVING in addition to TAKING. If you haven't "given" lately try starting with that!
 * Chose just one Internet connection you will tap into regularly to continue to stretch your teaching and learning (resources below).
 * Share just one idea or activity you are proud of somewhere outside of your comfort zone (see ideas below).

Blogs or Wikis to Follow

 * From a 7th grade Language Arts teacher but not necessarily subject specific. TheLine
 * Here is a list of great blogs to follow that depend on your grade level, subject, and interests.
 * //How to follow// the blogs you are interested in with an Real Simple Syndication (RSS) feed such as Google Reader:
 * Log in to your Google Drive account.
 * Click "More" and scroll down to "Reader."
 * Follow directions on-screen to set this up.
 * Now every time you see [[image:cysdtechsupport/rss.jpg width="40" height="40"]] you can click on it to include that blog or website in your RSS feed to let you know when something new is available.
 * It will ask how you want to follow the blog and you will select Google Reader (see image at right)

Communities to Join
//Many of these have email summaries/updates you can receive to spark ideas.//
 * PBS Teachers
 * TeachAde
 * Educator's PLN

Social Networking[[image:Screen Shot 2012-10-18 at 8.42.22 PM.png width="326" height="453" align="right"]]

 * School-based
 * My Big Campus - Go to Edutalk on the left side of the screen or join an interest group
 * Edmodo - Browse communities on the left side of the screen
 * Nonschool-based
 * Twitter
 * Link for education related hashtags to follow on Twitter
 * Facebook
 * Edutopia
 * Skype in the Classroom
 * Thinkfinity
 * A professional organization for your subject area