Technology is truly an amazing gift if we just open it!  This week's topics are PLNs and Twitter. It was my first time to explore either and I'm amazed at the vast resources these two topics offer.

First of all, when PLN popped up as an assignment-I flipped through the rolodex in my brain and couldn't come up with a match.  Although, I'd actually used one, I didn't know the acronym or the name of this category.  The other piece of Personal Learning Networks that surprised me were the many PLNs available.  I could sit and home and learn all day!

Since I realize none of us can go overboard on the Professional Learning Networks, I am going to focus on learning more about Edmodo.  I use it with my students and their parents but feel I'm only accessing the tip of iceberg compared to the possibilities it offers.  It's like Facebook you set up with your classes.  It makes absences easier to deal with, it can help you organize your lessons, and allows students to ask questions while they're working on their homework.  I get texts from Edmodo, not the student, and can get on my phone app to answer their questions.  It benefits everyone involved.  

The PLN I just discovered and am very excited about is the English Companion.  There's so many topics to learn about, resources offered, a place where teachers of English can connect and brainstorm or ask one another questions.  As a fairly new Language Arts Teacher, I'm thrilled to tap into this new resource!  I'm equally excited about expanding my learning about Goodreads.  It's a great place to find books to interest everyone!  Books have been reviewed by others, quotes of great books available at your fingertips, and an authentic audience waiting for students.  My classroom is getting more techy all the time!

Full confession:  I have avoided Twitter for years.  I've been on Facebook for years and love it.  I've connected to students from 25 years ago, friends from high school and college, family and learn about new friends.  Other social networks just seemed unnecessary and overwhelming.  Much to my surprise,Twitter is amazing!  I was shocked at the ease and user-friendliness of the network.  I had NO idea it was a wealth of information and a hot spot for resources!  Resources I will be using this week in class and I'll be trolling Twitter and finding resources for years to come!  My favorite searches thus far:  #engchat, #edutopia, #teachertoolkit and #tlap.  Seriously, CHECK IT OUT!  

The biggest problem I foresee with all this technology is time.  I want to explore, download and plan exciting new lessons-teaching school is really going to get in my way!