Week One Blog Post

Week One Blog Post

This being my first real blog post in a class, the past week has given me a lot of information regarding the formalities of stringing one together.  For our "Exploring Your Digital Toolbox" class, the week of September 8th was an introduction to Twitter, Personal/Professional Learning Networks, as well as two different methods of posting our blogs online. We also had a surprise live discussion with an educator residing in another state.

After getting set up on Edmodo, Professor Calderwood listed a valuable LiveBinder. This held information about Twitter and its resourcefulness for your professional development. After reading and watching the videos listed, I gained some insight on the value of having a PLN. I personally haven't even heard of such a thing before entering Calderwood's class. I regarded Twitter as a useless place where people could complain about things I didn't want to hear.

In the LiveBinder, I watched a video by Eric Sheninger, a principal, explain how twitter helped him connect with other people in his position across the world.  He said it helps you learn and prepare to be a professional, and later explains how Twitter has been better than any professional development program he has attended. Personally, it seems like a huge money saver when it comes to connecting professionally, and that always helps.

After watching Shelly Terrell's video titled "Connect to the World Using Twitter," I now have a better understanding of how Twitter can help me in my professional development. She likes to use the acronym PLN, as Passionate Learning Network. It helps individuals narrow the information they receive, into information they are passionate about. She also explains how you need to engage, educate and report. This includes joining conversations and projects, tweeting resources, and tweeting at conferences. Ultimately, I have learned about a new app called "RSS Flash G," which will help me receive other news in the Computer Science field.