Personal Learning Networks

     As I was reading the introduction and first three chapters of our textbook, I couldn't help but feel excited (and a little nervous) about the tremendous amount of technology teaching opportunities there will be in the next several years.  One quote that caught my attention was on page 7 where it says "Just because students understand social networking and think it would be cool to use in schools doesn't mean they know how to use these tools for learning."  I never really thought about this, but it's so true.  Today's students are constantly using technology and social networking, but that doesn't mean they are using it for educational purposes.  It's our job as educators to help them take the knowledge they know about technology, and help them apply those skills to real world situations and other learning opportunities.  
     Chapter 1 lists the six different ways that the world is changing.  Moving from analog to digital, the first one mentioned in the book,  is changing things very rapidly.  More and more we are moving away from print materials and focusing on digital materials.  More publishing companies are focusing on eBooks vs. print.  Reference materials such as dictionaries and encyclopedias  are now available online.  This has been a huge discussion topic among librarians for several years now, and it is making a lot of them very nervous.  There is much uncertainty about what will become of the library.  I feel that libraries need to be keeping up with the current trends in technology while still providing books and materials for more traditional library users.  Chapter 1 also discusses what a personal learning network is, and how it's important for teachers and students.  We are now using the internet to not only connect with people for social reasons, but we are using the internet for learning purposes as well.
     Chapter 2 discusses five different examples of learning networks. Twitter, Diigo, Google Reader, Blogger, and Facebook.  I personally use all of these on a regular basis.  I don't enjoy Twitter nearly as much as Facebook, but I can see how all of these tools can create and enhance new learning experiences.  Chapter 2 is definitely a great resource for teachers who have never used these networks before.  It gives step by step directions to help you set up accounts.
    I thought chapter 3 was very interesting as it gave a specific example of a teacher creating a networked classroom.  The quote on page 61 summed it  up very nicely when it stated, "Instead of the teacher "teaching" and the students "learning," teachers and students become co-learners as well as co-teachers in the process."  This process encourages more learning and engagement among students.