Contemporary Connections
Professional Learning Networks
Utilizing global Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) is the way to further our own education and our personal and professional growth. As an artist and an educator I believe in the importance of continuing to make connections with new ideas, and people of similar professional interests.Collaboration builds stronger individuals and a stronger community. Whether that community is local or global we all have something to contribute and something to learn from the connections we make.
There are a variety of active Professional Learning Networks available to artists and art educators. On this page I provide links to some of the networks I utilize for my own professional growth and for bringing the wonderful world of art to my classroom. Pinterest - Pinterest is global digital bullion board. After installing the free pin tool on your browser bar you are ready to start saving your discoveries. When you find something you like on the web you pin it to the board. Here you can create different boards according to standard topics or topics of your own design. You can make boards private or public. You can also a community board with the people you choose to make contributes. I have made boards specifically for my students to contribute their unique finds relating to a topic we are exploring in class. ArtEd2.0 - This website is a professional learning network for art educators. Teachers may start and contribute to discussion boards, collaborative projects, and learn about emerging technologies, contemporary artists and other useful web resources. Delicious - This site allows you to keep all your bookmarks in one place. Sites you find and want to save you can do it here and access them at any computer all over the world. You can also follow other users and see what they are bookmarking. You can create tags for the sites you find that will make going rite to them easer and more efficient. I use Delicious as a resource for my students as well. It is a starting point for them when they are doing research. To see my Delicious account click here. Scoop It - With Scoop It you curate the websites and resources you find and want to share. It is like combining Pinterest and Delicious into one site where you have more ability to annotate your web links.This page is currently under construction. Please visit again later. |