"Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources."
Personal Learning Network
Personal learning networks are very important for the modern educator looking to stay ahead and on top of all the advancements in technology that is out there for the classroom. Basically, a personal learning network (PLN) is a collection of resources that can be used to help guide and direct teachers in the sometimes scary world of modern classroom technology. Through the use of the internet, an educator can now create a network of valuable information being shared by other teachers. They do this through social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. They do so by reading and writing blogs. They stay connected using emails and subscribing to classroom technology electronic newsletters.
An assignment for ED 620, Internet Applications for K-12 Educators (Summer 2011 - Dr. McCullough) was to read the article "Grow Your Personal Learning Network" by David Warlick (you can download the article below) and start a PLN.
My personal learning network is comprised of my Twitter account, the technology newsletters that I subscribe to, the educational blogs that I read, and interactions that I carry out with my peers in Clarion's M.Ed. and ITSC programs. By staying connected and networked with these types of sources, I am able to stay updated on new and exciting trends in education even if I am removed from the classroom setting.
Because of the internet and the ability of being able to share information so quickly and efficiently from anywhere in the world, technology has changed the way educators stay up-to-date. Personal Learning Networks are the cornerstone to any instructor that wants to succeed in today's world of education.
An assignment for ED 620, Internet Applications for K-12 Educators (Summer 2011 - Dr. McCullough) was to read the article "Grow Your Personal Learning Network" by David Warlick (you can download the article below) and start a PLN.
My personal learning network is comprised of my Twitter account, the technology newsletters that I subscribe to, the educational blogs that I read, and interactions that I carry out with my peers in Clarion's M.Ed. and ITSC programs. By staying connected and networked with these types of sources, I am able to stay updated on new and exciting trends in education even if I am removed from the classroom setting.
Because of the internet and the ability of being able to share information so quickly and efficiently from anywhere in the world, technology has changed the way educators stay up-to-date. Personal Learning Networks are the cornerstone to any instructor that wants to succeed in today's world of education.
"Grow Your Personal Learning Network" by David Warlick | |
File Size: | 241 kb |
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Thoughts About PLNs by Nathan Pearce | |
File Size: | 151 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps:
During the summer of 2011, I entered into a 12-week term of service with Keystone SMILES AmeriCorps, located in Knox, PA. AmeriCorps is a federal service program created under President Bill Clinton with the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. AmeriCorps programs have a wide range of focus that centers around public education and community service projects. At Keystone SMILES, the summer service consisted of planning, developing, and administering a variety of programs for children of all ages within the local communities.
Summer School InstructorKeystone SMILES Summer School 2011 - Students and Teachers
The most meaningful experience that I gained serving with Keystone SMILES involved being a summer school instructor. Keystone SMILES readily works with the local school district (Keystone School District) throughout the academic year, primarily providing the district with an alternative education program. This partnership continues on through the first few weeks of summer with the Keystone SMILES summer school program that presents students who have failed two or more of their primary classes with a second chance at passing and moving on to the next grade before the beginning of the school year.
During my service, I had the opportunity to take on an instructional role, alongside a fellow AmeriCorps member in a co-teaching environment, for the summer school program at Keystone SMILES. My responsibilities involved planning and developing instruction with a focus on mathematics, reading and writing skills, and various study skills for a group of three middle school students. The summer school program, which lasted for three weeks, allowed this group of students to further practice and develop skills in areas where they struggled. Over the three week session, the students were presented with a number of different learning experiences. These experiences ranged from reading a young adult novel and analyzing it through writing, practicing mathematics skills using a variety of real world word problems (some of which involved going outside and getting out of the classroom), writing historic fiction based on a Civil War WebQuest, and using political cartoons and current events to spark discussion, both verbal and written. I am proud to say that, through hard work and determination from the students, I was able to recommend that all of my students pass to the next grade level. Upon their completion of the program, I presented the students with a certificate of achievement, which I personally designed. Summer Corps MemberAmeriCorps Service Learning Project - Venango County Humane Society
In addition to teaching summer school at Keysone SMILES, I was also a summer member involved with the organization's summer youth program. Primarily involved with the Pre-K age group, I helped to develop educational programming for the entire summer.
There were three groups of students, divided by age, that were rotated between different teams of AmeriCorps members during the eight-week summer programming. My team was involved with the design and development of "creative arts" inspired educational activities. We carried out activities that involved making recycled paper, braiding friendship bracelets, modeling sculptures out of paper-mache, and much more. Another aspect of my service was community support. On days where the youth programming was not scheduled, we went out into the community to do various service projects. One of the projects consisted of collecting, sorting, and packaging food and clothing donations as a disaster relief fund for the victims of the devastating tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Another project involved tending to the Clarion County Community Garden where we watered, pulled weeds, and did other landscaping tasks that needed to be done. Through my service with AmeriCorps, I have developed a new appreciation for leadership and service within our communities. It is so important for programs such as the one at Keystone SMILES to exist. I plan on using my experiences to help model and promote the responsibilities of citizenship to my students in the future. |
Clarion University Disability Support Services Testing Center
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Starting in the September 2011, I began working as an AmeriCorps/Community Fellows/Campus Compact member at Clarion University's Disability Support Services Testing Center. This position presents me with a variety of different responsibilities. Mainly, I assist in scheduling, proctoring, and delivering tests, quizzes, and exams for undergraduate students that are challenged with a variety of special needs. This program, because of the affiliation with AmeriCorps, also requires me to partake in Clarion University Community Service Days and other events in which service to others is the primary focus.
While participating in the Fall 2011 Community Service Day, I traveled through residential areas of Clarion Borough delivering food collection bags door-to-door. These bags were to be used to place food donations in and then placed outside of the houses at a certain time to be collected.
It is very rewarding to be giving back to both students and the community in different capacities. Through service, my commitment to modeling a positive and participatory citizen is being met, and I hope that my future students will exhibit the same desire to get involved with similar projects.
While participating in the Fall 2011 Community Service Day, I traveled through residential areas of Clarion Borough delivering food collection bags door-to-door. These bags were to be used to place food donations in and then placed outside of the houses at a certain time to be collected.
It is very rewarding to be giving back to both students and the community in different capacities. Through service, my commitment to modeling a positive and participatory citizen is being met, and I hope that my future students will exhibit the same desire to get involved with similar projects.
Clarion University M.Ed.
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Having obtained my B.S in Education from Clarion University, I was already familiar with the types of courses and faculty that would be involved with the graduate program. Both the courses and faculty were great during my undergraduate work, so I knew that I would be getting a quality education from Clarion working toward my graduate degree. Clarion's MEd program offers various concentrations of study. For me, I chose a field that I knew would interest to me, that I would be motivated in, and would help me grow professionally. Choosing the technology concentration has since helped to promote personal digital leadership, especially through my graduate assistantship. Because all of my courses are web-based, I am required to take initiative and really seek out innovative ways to deliver course work independently.
Clarion University ITSC
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In addition to my traditional coursework toward my MEd degree, I am also enrolled in Clarion University's Instructional Technology Specialist Certificate (ITSC) Program. I applied for this program in hopes that certification as an instructional technology specialist will help me to grow professionally. Developing more knowledge and skills related to technology, especially instructional technology that can be adapted for use within the classroom, is an important way that I am taking steps toward lifelong learning and growth as a leader.
© 2011 Nathan J. Pearce