Personal Learning Network

GCU Asssignment

1) Identify no fewer than three members of your personal network that can assist you in your continued growth and learning (these should be colleagues or others you have personal access to).
2) Identify no fewer than three professional subject matter experts you would like to continue learning from (these can be authors, bloggers, presenters, etc.).
3) Identify no fewer than five professional resources that can contribute to your ongoing learning (these can be journals, websites, blogs, Twitter feeds, etc.).

What is a PLN?
A personal learning network can be the entire collection of people with whom you engage and exchange information. PLNS can include tons of different communities:social networking sites such as face-book, blogs, wikis, linkedin and so much more. PLNS have immense value. They can be used for

•  Professional Development:learning from a content area specialist
• Locate resources for your classroom
• Find collaborative solutions.

Subjects Of interest

E-Learning and Digital Media

Peer-reviewed international journal published three times a year in the UK and directed towards the study and research of e-learning in its diverse aspects, from pedagogical to Available online but requires subscription.

 MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching

Published four times a year, this online journal covers topics related to the use of multimedia educational resources for learning and teaching.

 Language Learning & Technology

A refereed journal for second and foreign language educators on issues related to technology and language education; published three times a year.

 Interactive Learning Environments

Peer-reviewed articles published quarterly on the design and use of interactive environments that support individual and collaborative learning.

 American Journal of Distance Education

Disseminates information and acts as a forum for criticism and debate about research in and the practice of distance education in the Americas.

Personal Learning Network

Robie Harris

Robie Harris has years of experience as a teacher and writer and  I would love to learn more from her as an expert in her field.

Robie Harris is the award-winning, bestselling author of many books for children, including the NYT bestselling It's Perfectly Normal! and It's So Amazing!, as well as Mail Harry to the Moon and the Just Being Me...

I have had the pleasure of hosting Robie Harris in my library. The kids loved her.

Personal Learning Network

Illustrator Bryan Collier

HOME BIO GALLERY CONTACT

Bryan Collier grew up in Pocomoke, Maryland, on the lower Eastern Shore of the state, the youngest of six children. His interest in art started early. "At home and at school, I was encouraged to read. I remember the first books with pictures that I read by myself were The Snow Day by Ezra Jack Keats and Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. I liked the stories, but I really liked the pictures." As a teenager he began to paint the world around him - the bay, ducks, water, and marshland.
His interest in art was always encouraged both at home and at school. He began to develop a unique style of painting that incorporated both watercolors and collage.
"Collage is more than just an art style. Collage is all about bringing different elements together. Once you form a sensibility about connection, how different elements relate to each other, you deepen your understanding of yourself and others."
In 1985 Bryan won first place in a Congressional Competition, and his art was displayed in the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Later that year he was awarded a scholarship to Pratt Institute in New York City through their national talent competition. In 1989 Bryan graduated with honors from Pratt Institute with a bachelor of fine arts degree.

While attending school in New York, Br
yan began to volunteer at the Harlem Horizon Studio and Harlem Hospital Center with a program that provides working space and materials for self-taught artists in the community. He went on to become the Program Director, a position he held for 12 years. Bryan still works with the program in Harlem as a volunteer, feeling a deep sense of responsibility to be a positive role model for kids.
"It gives the community, the schools, the kids, and the parents the opportunity to come together for a very positive uplifting cause - the building and re-building of self-esteem, teaching the appreciation of art, and keeping the kids connected and involved and away from negative influences."
Meanwhile, he made the decision to focus his time and attention on illustrating children's books full time. It wasn't easy getting his art published in books; Bryan tried for seven years before he got his break with the publication of his book, Uptown.
Today Bryan spends his time working on his book illustrations, creating his own studio pieces, and going into classrooms to talk with teachers, librarians, and students about books and art. "I get so much from those school visits. With the books I've been doing, I have this amazing opportunity to bring my art and the process of making artwork and books into the classroom. I ask the students to talk to me and talk to each other about how they feel and what their own experiences are. Basically I ask them to tell their own story. Then I ask them to tell their own story through art.

Mr. Collier met the principal at my school.

"The experience of making art is all about making decisions. Once the kids really get that, you see them making the connection. They go from saying, 'That's not about me' to 'Hey. Look at me. This is who I am.'"

© 2011 Bryan Collier
Website by LightCube Solutions

Bryan Collier has years of experience as an illustrator and presenter and I would love to use him as a resource for myself and my students.
Jennifer

Personal Learning Network

John Crant

Author, Speaker & Career Coach. In these times, you really need to be your own specialist, your own career counselor, and your own recruiter: a Self-Recruiter.

John Crant is some one who could move me to the next level in my professional pursuits.

Personal Learning Network

Irene Smalls is an author who I have done seminars with for the New York City Department of Education.
I have also written and self-published a biography about her life. She is a great resource for me. She has also visited my school and presented to the children.

Irene Smalls

Irene Smalls grew up in Harlem where Double Dutch was her favorite game. She graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in black studies and from New York University with an M.B.A. She is the author of 15 books for children, including Kevin and His Dad (Little, Brown). Irene Smalls performs and lectures at schools and conferences around the country. She lives in Boston, Massachusetts.  

Personal Learning Network

1) Identify no fewer than three members of your personal network that can assist you in your continued growth and learning (these should be colleagues or others you have personal access to).


Arlene Dominguez

Arlene Dominguez is  someone I can reach out to for assistance with programs in my library. She is a very resourceful person.In fact I have just received the Family Reading Nights Grant through her.
Arlene Dominguez works as a Program Manager in the NYC Department of Education’s Office of Strategic Partnerships. She manages the Library REACH grant program, a Family Reading Nights Program, and recently created partnerships with local public libraries in order to promote resource sharing.

Personal Learning Network

Ms. Lauren Kratz is the children's librarian at Mott Haven Public Library. She is a friend, confidante and colleague. We have collaborated on many projects. Here she visited my library to speak to the kids.