In hindsight, I probably should have started with this post. I would not have been able to start this blog, find great resources as easily, have the contacts I have, etc. without the support of a dynamic PLN. The best thing that I have done as far as professional development for myself has been to actively pursue a solid professional learning network. I love this post on developing a network. My PLN started with joining the Classroom 2.0 Ning. There I learned to ask and answer questions and participate and begin discussions surrounding my topics of interest. From there and through attendance at a conference, I learned about Skype (see previous post). Later, I started my Twitter account. This was the hardest network to learn and build, but has been (by far) the best resource for me. The constant ongoing conversation has provided unlimited resources for me and in turn for my colleagues. In 2010, my goal is to be more of a contributor to my PLN. I owe a lot to everyone for all of the great ideas they've sent out and for all the times I've been inspired and supported by them. For example, when I mentioned starting this blog on Twitter, here's the response I got:
Sean Banville @tamralanning Start your blog - we'll help :-)
..and I know they will.
CC Image courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockinpaddy/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 on Flickr
