PLNs are A-OK

   I made a few great discoveries today in working on my assignments. 

   First, I think it's interesting how Twitter and Feedly interact with each other--at least they do for me. I found that I followed some of the same sources on both sites, and while this could be redundant, I actually found it quite useful. I am able to scan the tweets from the sources quickly to see if there is something I'm interested in learning more about. I feel that I can look at lots of information very quickly. When I find something worthwhile that I want to pursue, I go to Feedly and check out the longer version.  I used this method today, and in clicking around I found out about a book that is available through my school’s library that looks like it will be helpful in some projects I’m planning in my English classes. I’ve already contacted my school librarians through email to check this book out. Without using Twitter and Feedly, I never would have found this professional development source. This seems to be how a PLN is supposed to work. 

   My second great discovery is that I have to make sure that I'm checking out my PLN  when I have a sizable block of free time. Maybe it's ADD, but I find that I am easily distracted by all of the options available to me that seem so interesting. If I'm not careful, two hours will have gone by as I'm happily clicking my way through wonderful information. If I'm learning, I wouldn't  call it a waste of time, but it definitely is a time suck that can get away from me. Perhaps as I become more practiced in using these tools, I'll get better at organizing information and gleaning the good stuff. Until then...it's a better use of my time than watching old "Law and Order" reruns.
   This article provided some really great information on how I can incorporate PLNs into my teaching life. I find that I often get so busy that I don't have a conservation with another adult during the day. PLNs are a way to stay connected (and possibly sane). I also liked the ideas that this article suggested on how students could use PLNs. This is something that I hadn't thought about before that could be useful in my advanced classes.