PLEs and PLNs for Lifelong Learning

 

January 9- February 12 , 2012

 

Download Syllabus on Word Document

Syllabus 

 

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a new array of learning management systems (LMS). Tools such as blogs, wikis, screencasting, and social bookmarking have created a significant shift in the educational experience. Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) enable learners to have greater control over their own learning experience. This session will take a look at the current situation by clarifying the concepts of personal learning environments and networks (PLNs). Participants will create their own PLE or PLN and select which Web 2.0 tools they want to support it, as the 5-week session evolves.  We will use this wiki and a Moodle platform for sharing information and facilitating interactions.     

 

Target Audience

Teachers, educators, and individuals seeking an innovative approach to new learning dimensions

 

Interest Section Sponsors

TESOL Italy & CALL-IS

 

Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will have:

 

• Become acquainted with a variety of digital venues by interacting with the group
• Shared information and knowledge in a community of learners/participants
• Enhanced their digital literacy skills by reflecting on new ways of applying them
• Seen examples of self-created and professional PLEs and PLNs
• Participated in scheduled chats discussing content and pre-defined topics with the group
• Had a hands-on experience on how to create PLEs and PLNs

 

Moderators

 

Susan Burg

My name is Susan Burg and I live in Florence, Italy where I teach English both f2f and online for a variety of institutes.  I am presently working for the Region of Tuscany preparing students for internships abroad through EuroSocial Network.  I have a Masters in e-learning from the Università degli Studi di Firenze where I have also have taught virtual English courses for Formatore Multimediale.  I have written papers on e-learning and webquestsand have actively participated in Tesol Italy and the Società italiana di e-learning as speaker and participant.  I have been happily involved with the webheads since 2004 as participant and co-moderator and this year I will be working on the session PLEs and PLNs for Lifelong Learning for the second time. Contact info:

Blog at http://susaneb.wordpress.com/ 
email at susaneburg.zanchi@gmail.com
Skype at susanellynb
Yahoo at susaneburg
Twitter at susaneb  

 

Letizia Cinganotto

I'm Letizia Cinganotto. I've been a Tesol Italy Executive Committee member for five years. I have been teaching English in a Secondary School and working as a supervisor of the teacher training. I'm a contract professor at University. I'm very fond of digital teaching and learning, in fact I have three masters in E-learning and a master in English Language Teaching as well. I cooperate with A.N.S.A.S (ex Indire) and with some Italian universities, dealing with the planning and implementing of learning objects, e-learning courses and masters of English. I have published articles and presented papers at some national and international conferences.  Contact info:

e-mail: letizia.cinganotto@gmail.com

skype id: ciletizia

Second Life id: ciletizia Orsini

Yahoo: ciletizia

Twitter: ciletizia

 

Daniela Cuccurullo

My name is Daniela Cuccurullo, from Naples, Italy. I have been Tesol Italy Executive Committee member for ten years and coordinator of TESOL Italy local group of Naples. I work as contract Professor of English language at the University of Naples “Federico II” and at “Istituto Suor Orsola Benincasa”as well as being Secondary School teacher of English, teacher trainer, e-tutor, forum moderator and author of contributions and learning objects for A.N.S.A.S.. I like using both traditional face-to-face methods and e-learning paths in blended training. Contact info:

e mail: danielacuccurullo@gmail.com

Skype id: danicmagic

Yahoo id: dcuccurullo

Second Life id: danic Magic

Twitter: daniela_c

 

Week 1:

This week participants will introduce themselves to the group and get acquainted with this wiki and a Moodle communication channel for this session.  They will take a survey of their personal technology capabilities, experience, and needs. 

 

Week 2:

Participants will be introduced to tools used in the session and examine their practical use for educational purposes.  They will analyze and evaluate PLE frameworks and select a format for their own PLE/PLN project.                                   

 

Week 3:

Participants will explore tools that support and supplant theories and models.  Additionally, participants will be introduced to a few professional PLN sites.

 

Week 4:

Participants will post their projects to the chart and then tour each other’s PLE/PLNs to provide feedback.  Also, they will take a survey on their favorite tools and purposes.

 

 

Week 5:

Presentations and wrap up.  This final week we will present our work and share the results of the survey on favorite tools with the group, so everyone can benefit from a reference list created by the entire class. Participants will take an evaluation survey of this session's activities.

 

 

Technology Used

 

Our wiki: http://personallearningnetworksession.pbworks.com

Our Moodle: http://webteachertools.com/wtt/course/view.php?id=872#section-0

 

Production tools
Wikis
Blogs
Video
Google Docs

Social Bookmarking

Communication
Skype
IM
Twitter

VoiceThread

Paper.li 

Moodle