Coming to a conference like the annual VATE conference is a great way of learning and becoming inspired about our teaching. We gain ideas, resources and new ways of thinking about our practice in the classroom. But it is only once a year. Over the last few years I have found my professional learning extended by finding a network of enthusiastic and knowledgable teachers and educators from all around the globe who are on hand to give me inspiration and ideas whenever I need it. My new online Professional Learning Network (PLN) is a global network and fluid enough to accommodate learning anytime, anywhere. This workshop will demonstrate the use of nings, blogs, Twitter and diigo as a means to connect with other educators on a global scale and make learning more meaningful. It is for teachers at all levels of experience and all year levels.

1. The power of the online professional learning network Jo McLeay

2. Seeing things in new ways http://www.flickr.com/photos/drljohnson/4152145918/

3. What? http://www.flickr.com/photos/courosa/2922421696/

4. Functions of a PLN Attribution: http://www.slideshare.net/cliotech/power-up-your-pln-revised-presentation

5. Why?

6. School change

7. What a PLN can do

8. In the new world…

9. http://www.flickr.com/photos/drljohnson/4152191568/

10. Twitter

11. How to develop a twitter network Open an account (free) Start following some trusted educators Get involved: ask questions, reply to other tweets, share resources you find Retweet others Follow people who follow you (if they share your passion for learning)

12. Resources for teachers interested in Twitter http://www.slideshare.net/dragonsinger/twitter-for-teachers-1579614 http://twitter4teachers.pbworks.com/ http://twitter.com/jomcleay and many others

13. ning

14. What is ning? The best way to find out is joining one The VATE Conference has a ning that is free to join and can be a way of connecting with other like minded educators Go to http://vate09.ning.com and sign up, if you like

15. diigo

16. Social bookmarking with diigo Go to diigo.com and join in the fun

17. blogs

18. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathyschrock/3547758681/in/pool-858082@N25/

19. Other sources of learning from a PLN

20. Flickr groups

21. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jutecht/2384289406/

25. Learning: a licence to change Your PLN: how you get there http://www.flickr.com/photos/ecstaticist/1337749333/