“What the heck is a PLN?” @ #RSCON3 (Video)

Updated 29/7/2011

This Weekend, in fact within a few hours (at the time of writing) we kick off the third Reform Symposium eConference (#RSCON3)!

What the heck is a PLN?: Personal Learning Networks for Educators

About

 

When?

8.30AM Australian Western Standard Time
(Please check the schedule for your timezone – this is just before the Closing Keynote on Day 1)

Where?

Please click on this link to access my Elluminate room – up to 30 minutes before the scheduled start.

(https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=2008350&password=M.25F4EE183D04E394FA038CA714AA9D)

This will be my FIRST-EVER professional presentation, so I’m hoping and praying things go well! I’m really excited, and I hope to see you there!

Don’t forget to check out my video promo!

Looking Forward to #RSCON3

Six months ago, I’d never heard of the Reform Symposium Virtual Conference; the fantastic, FREE, online global education conference presented by teachers for teachers.

That all changed when I attended #RSCON11 in January this year; an event which attracted 4 100 global participants, and marked the birth of my Twitter PLN.

And, now to my amazement, I find myself presenting alongside some world-leading global educators at the next Reform Symposium (#RSCON3) in late July 2011.

So, what’s it all about?

The Reform Symposium e-Conference is about sharing, learning, and connecting with inspiring educators around the world. You don’t need to pack a bag, catch a plane, or pay a cent. You can even attend in your pyjamas! All you need is an Internet connection.

To find out more, visit the Reform Symposium website; where you can:

• Find the official #RSCON3 schedule for your time-zone
• Meet the presenters, and
• Download the flyer to share with your colleagues and staff.

My #RSCON3 Presentation:

“What the heck is a PLN?” - Personal Learning Networks for Educators

• Are you a new teacher, feeling isolated and alone?
• Are you an experienced teacher looking for new ideas and inspiration?
• Are you interested in sharing ideas and collaborating with other teachers on global projects?
• Are you tired of falling asleep in boring professional learning seminars?
• Have you heard about Personal Learning Networks or PLNs? Feeling lost, confused, wondering where to start?

Then please, join me at #RSCON3, as I

• Share my ‘new teacher’ PLN story, and explain “What the heck is a PLN?”
• Explore the technologies which underpin my global connections
• Explore some of the global projects and learning made possible by my PLN; and
• Facilitate a global discussion about how PLNs have influenced teachers’ professional practice around the world.

This is an opportunity for new and experienced teachers alike to learn, share, and connect.

I’d love to see you there!

When?

For Australian teachers, Reform Symposium 3 runs from July 30 - August 1, 2011.

I will be presenting on Day 1 (just before the closing Keynote) at 8.30AM – Saturday, July 30 (GMT/UTC+8). 

This time and date will VARY depending on your time-zone. Please click here to find out what time this is for you.

Where?

I will be presenting virtually in an Elluminate Conference Room. To participate, you’ll need to click on the (soon-to-be-published) “Webinar Links” in the RSCON Schedule.

In the meantime, I urge you to check out the Reform Symposium website, follow the #rscon3 hashtag on Twitter, and share the official Conference flyer with your Principal and colleagues.

Please, spread the word! This is the only serious professional learning which you attend in bed! And it’s worth it!

I’ll be attending #RSCON3. Will you?

Why I Connect

I’M A TEACHER

I was once an idealist. Now I’m more of a realist.

I once believed that our political leaders could positively change the face of education in my country. No longer.

I have dreams. They’ve been shattered – twice.

My first year of teaching left me feeling alone and disillusioned.

BUT, 2 YEARS ON …

I once believed I could make a difference. I still do.

I’ve rediscovered my passion for teaching.

I believe that effective literacy teaching and ICT integration is critical to prepare my students to communicate and interact on a global stage.

I’ve finally had the opportunity to practice what I preach

I’m a blogger, with a supportive global audience.

I’m becoming a more competent and effective teacher.

My teaching and learning is changing because of my global connections.


MY FUTURE

Is unclear.

I’ve yet to have a class of my own.

I’ve got a lot to learn.

I’m not an expert teacher … yet.

That’s why I connect, learn, share, and collaborate with experienced, expert teachers around the world.

My PLN has reawakened my passion for teaching

For this, I thank you.

What the heck is a PLN?

I’m a new teacher, returning to relief / substitute teaching after 3 months in (several) classrooms.

My PLN has changed the way I learn, and the way I teach, for the better. Yet, I am still to meet a new teacher in my part of the world who’s ever heard of, or has a PLN.

Perhaps this post will help to change that.

Why you should begin your own PLN —Ashley Azzopardi (@ashleyazzopardi)

“Connecting Globally” (@clivesir)

Casting an eye over my Twitter feeds this morning, I was mightily pleased to see an old ‘PLN friend’ and mentor back online.

Clive Elsmore, or @clivesir as I’ve come to know him, has spent the past few years working in India and Sri Lanka as a volunteer teacher, training local teachers in the use of ICT technologies and Web 2.0 tools like Skype. (He’s now back in the United Kingdom.)

As a very special member of my PLN, and someone with whom I have many educational interests in common, I wanted to take a moment to share @clivesir’s thoughts on how global connections impact on teaching and learning in today’s world.

Seeking Global Perspectives for World Water Day 2011

Well, the big day is finally here. March 22, is United Nations World Water Day – a global event aimed at raising awareness of water issues facing developing and developed countries around the world.


As part of our whole-school WaterWise focus, we have been teaching extensively about water conservation and management from a mostly local (Western Australian) perspective; as our state faces some significant water supply challenges due to changing rainfall patterns and climate change.

As part of World Water Day 2011, our WaterWise coordinator has planned some big events for the day – including photos and video of the whole school – dressed in blue – standing in a giant water drop on our oval!

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Seeking Global Perspectives

As part of my contribution to our World Water Day activities, I’m taking a risk and attempting my very first global collaborative project based on the World Water Day theme of “Water in our Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge”. Over the course of the day, I’ll be taking small groups of students’ aside to share their thoughts and learning with the world via a collaborative LinoIt page.

Now, here’s the tricky bit … I’d love to raise my students’ awareness of global perspectives on World Water Day and water issues around the world. To make this a reality, I really need your help!

I’d love to see international contributions from students, teachers, parents, or interested individuals – either on World Water Day itself (March 22, your time), or over coming weeks. You might like to share your thoughts, photographs, and videos of interest. All would be greatly appreciated!

Here’s the link: http://linoit.com/users/MrGraffin/canvases/worldwaterday2011

My students, colleagues, and I are looking forward to reading/viewing your responses. Thankyou!

Michael Graffin (@mgraffin)