Demonstrate the Power of a Personal Learning Network: Help Send a Newbie to NECC
It seems like not a day goes by without hearing at least one story about Twitter on the news. The original intent behind Twitter was to help people keep their friends and family informed about what they were doing. Educators have taken Twitter to an entirely new level. We have started using this microblog for a variety of projects. Like many teachers, I was apprehensive about the value of Twitter. It took a lot of time and dedication to build a solid group of people to follow, but now that my personal learning network (PLN) is firmly established, I am learning more than I ever thought possible. In addition to learning about more tools than I will ever be able to use in lifetime, Twitter has provided me with the opportunity to connect with educators who share my passion for teaching. I no longer feel isolated in my classroom in Nebraska. I have people from all over the world that I can learn from on a daily basis. Twitter also helps educators overcome the perceived barriers between “regular” educators and the leaders in education who have a great deal of influence in the Twitterverse.
I am on a mission to raise awareness about the benefits of using tools such as Twitter to establish PLN’s. I recently began an experiment to see if Twitter could be used by educators to collaborate across time and space to reach a common goal. I decided to start a project called Send a Newbie to NECC. I picked one person from my PLN whom had never attended NECC, but whom I believed would benefit immensely from the experience. I wrote a blog post asking people from my PLN to show their support for Twitter and their PLN by donating to a fund to help send Richard Byrne (@rmbyrne on Twitter) to the National Educational Computing Conference .
I selected Richard because he has been such an integral part of my PLN. He takes the time to share valuable educational resources on a daily basis – often several times a day – ultimately saving busy educators valuable time. Richard’s blog recently won the Edublog’s Top Resource Sharing Blog for 2008. With 1600 followers on Twitter and 5000 people subscribing to his blog I think it is safe to say that he is an important part of many PLN’s.
The intent behind this project is to raise awareness about the positive side of social networking. Twitter, like other social networks, is not the problem – it is how people use it. It is difficult for some educators to see the benefits of networking with a group of strangers. Educators need to see examples of how Twitter can be of use to them before they will embrace it. Many fear networking because sites like MySpace and Facebook have received so much bad press recently. I am trying to make a difference by rallying my PLN to support this worthwhile cause. The success of this project rests in the hands of the people in my learning network. I am not only relying on them for monetary donations, but I also need them to help promote this project and gain more support from the people in their network. I hope you will consider participating in this unique project.
64 Comments
diane darrow
Monday, 20th April 2009 at 1:32 am
Great idea to send a newbie. Twitter is a place I keep just for teaching info and chats. Doesn’t have to be that way but it works well. I find valuable info here.
Beth Still
Monday, 20th April 2009 at 11:40 am
I am happy to announce that yesterday afternoon VoiceThread made a substantial contribution to this project. We have reached the goal and Richard Byrne will be attending NECC. I hope he will attend EBC as well! Thanks to everyone for their support and encouragement. YOU helped make it a success.
Richard Byrne
Monday, 20th April 2009 at 2:00 pm
Thank you Beth for organizing this effort. Thank you to VoiceThread for the very sizable contribution. Thank you to everyone that made a contribution to this effort. The kindness and generosity of everyone is amazing.
Richard Byrne
Paula Naugle
Wednesday, 29th April 2009 at 10:34 am
Beth, congratulations on the success of your online project that demonstrated the power of your PLN. I can’t wait to meet you and Richard face-to-face at NECC.
I am amazed at the wealth of knowledge I learn daily from my PLN. I used to rely on blog posts that came into my RSS reader, now I’m relying heavily on Twitter.
I’m glad I have people like you and Richard in my PLN.
Brenda Smith
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 10:25 am
Way to go! This is very cool! Just look at the power not only of a PLN but also of human kindness! If we let them, people will continue to amaze us!
Marilyn Mossman
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 10:40 am
You truly did demonstrate the power of a personal learning network. I was happy to be able to participate. Thanks for starting this. You are a valuable member of my PLN.
Kate Klingensmith
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 10:42 am
Congratulations to Beth and Richard!! What a great idea, and a great example of how powerful a PLN can be. And, I agree – Richard consistently makes valuable contributions to teachers on-line, and no one else deserved this more. And, really – good job, Beth!!!
Gina Russell Stevens
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 10:44 am
It was my pleasure to donate to your Send a Newbie to NECC project. You proved that Twitter is an effective and powerful FREE tool that communities of practice and personal learning networks can leverage to make a real difference..
Kelli
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:00 am
Genius! It’s about time someone showed that social networking can be used for GOOD! Way to go Beth!
Lee Kolbert
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:02 am
Beth,
I think what you did was terrific on many levels. Richard was a great choice for the “NECC Newbie” for all the resources he provides for others. It’s great that he will be able to attend NECC and I’m looking forward to meeting him and you but bigger than that is that you were able to reach out to those you touch daily and ask for a small donation. For some the donation was monetary, for some the donation was a re-tweet and for some, the donation was a mere discussion with others who might be able to push a little further. Even further, for some the donation was a thought process that they might do something like this in the future or perhaps table their monetary donation to your project this year, but consider donating next year. You really don’t know how you touched people. Your spreadsheet does not tell the whole story, I’m sure.
With Twitter or any social networking tool, you never know who might provide a resource for you when you need assistance and in kind, those who helped (in whatever way) are there for others as well. That’s part of the value of social networking and one must not forget that there’s also the fun-factor. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying what you do. If we only spent our days at work only talking about work, we’d be miserable. Part of building relationships with our peers and coworkers is talking about home and hobbies and telling jokes. Social networking includes those fundamentals as well. When building a case for teachers using social networking for professional development, I like to include that it’s part of life-development as well.
Additionally, what you did took a lot of guts. I know you received some uncomfortable comments questioning the value of the project and I think you handled them with grace and confidence.
Well done!
Michelle Nebel
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:15 am
I am amazed at what can be accomplished through a PLN! Thank you for providing such a great example to share with others that shows you just need a great idea and connections to the right people and amazing things can happen! I look forward to seeing you all at NECC!
Kerri Richardson-Redding
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:18 am
Congrats Beth!
Thank you VoiceThread!
Since actively using Twitter I feel like my own PLN is on steroids- :). The wealth of information that is shared both in my field and in general is like being in the coolest net cafe in town where the people are friendly, generous and truly engaging. Sharing and learning with my colleagues on Twitter is one of the best parts of my day-
Colette Cassinelli
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:23 am
Great way to show the power of the network. I too will be a NECC newbie this year and looking forward to meeting the folks in my PLN.
Vanessa Aird
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:25 am
Beth, what a great and thoughtful idea. The world of social networking has open many doors, even in independent schools as I read only yesterday.
Article on Social Networking in Independent Schools
(http://www.nais.org/resources/index.cfm?ItemNumber=151736)
Congrats Richard! You are sure to have a fulfilling learning experience at this years NECC.
mrinow
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:27 am
One thing that is very important to me is my PLN. I feel that withought people like Miss Still i would be far behind my fellow educators. Thank you for taking the time to assist the little people.
Larry Ferlazzo
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:29 am
Beth,
It was a great idea and a great choice of Richard for this project. I appreciate what I learn from both of you!
Larry
Seth Dickens - Teacher Trainer
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:30 am
HI there,
Beth’s Tweets are already really useful and informative to teachers. If she gets sent to NECC they’ll be even better!
Good luck Beth!
http://www.twitter.com/sethdickens
Tracy Poelzer
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:37 am
Wow! What a great idea. I only recently joined Twitter, but have rapidly seen the power of using it as a PLN. As mentioned, one can very quickly develop a global network of exemplary educators to follow. The amount of information/links/great ideas can be overwhelming at times, but it is incredible, self-directed pro-d. I am sharing many of the links with my colleagues, so they benefit too.
Enjoy NECC, Richard. I hope to have the chance to attend one day in the future. I watch many of the webcasts from the conference each year, and I can tell it is an amazing conference for learning and networking. Congratulations!
Rachel Anschutz
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:39 am
I am glad to see tools like these used for such a purpose. I think this event needs more publicity. Way to think outside of the box! Good Job!
Dneuwirth
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:41 am
I think what Beth did her was great project. it was out standing
Jamie Gustin
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:41 am
What a testament to the power of personal learning networks, and the new and emerging tools that help make them possible. I hope that you and Richard enjoy NECC and must extend thanks to VoiceThread for donating to that effort. It is great to see a company support educators.
Amanda s
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:41 am
i think that that is really cool that all those people would do that for some one they may or may not know. it was a really cool idea
A.Maldonado
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:43 am
I respect your thoughts 100% Beth. Social networks are not the problem today, it’s how you choose to use them. :)
edavoult
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:44 am
I think its awesome that your trying to make a difference. I hope nobody abuses the twitter website, cause the website is a very good way to get a hold of other teachers, and learn from them. I think its a good idea that your doing this.
phill
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:46 am
congratulations on your accomplishment. this is a prime example of how amazing one persons voice can be herd so very loud no matter what the situation is. the web is an incredible tool to do just about anything the mind can put it to.
Lois Fisher
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 11:55 am
So, I have just come back from an ICT mentoring conference and they set us up to Twitter and shared how valuable of a tool it is. I am in the building phase and am excited about all the info out there. This sounds like a wonderful project and I wish you much success. I know us Twitterers will all benefit from your efforts.
Antonio Gosset
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 12:00 pm
Congratulations on your success! I am continuously learning and improving in a more focused way thanks to my PLNs
Katie Warren (Techy Nana)
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 12:01 pm
@TeachaKidd posted this site today (about 45 minutes ago). Beth, what a great gift you’ve given to Richard. I know he will have a fabulous time at NECC
I am so glad that I was “coerced” into Twitter at CUE two years ago. My techy friend said, “Oh, you need to do this and use your real name” as she quickly registered me. Lurking for the first few weeks I quickly saw the learning/educational value of this incredible networking tool.
I’m adding you to my PLN and hope to see your posts while at NECC. I’ll be there, too!
Andria D'Errico
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 12:06 pm
I was in a workshop a month ago where we set up a PLN with twitter and a rss reader. At the time I thought I don’t have time to check on this every day. Now I hate to miss a day. The PLN is truly being a life long learner. Every day I am connecting with different teachers and hearing new ideas and opinions. It has expanded my teaching.
Jenny Darrow
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 12:12 pm
Thanks toTwitter I learned about your project and it reminded me of a re-tweet I picked up (I don’t remember who sent it…):
“We don’t stop with asking what a tool does. We ask about what kind of people we become when we use it” (via Rheingold 1998).
Good luck to you!
Angie Dowling
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 12:15 pm
I think this was a GREAT idea! Who would have known that there would be that much of a response that quickly!
Lee Kolbert
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 12:24 pm
@Katie Warren
Thanks for responding to my tweet. Not sure if anyone else who commented here did in response to my tweet, but how nice that a PLN can help someone in a PLN who blogs about a PLN helping someone in their PLN to go to a conference to learn more about their PLN while enjoying their PLN? ~Lee (@teachakidd)
Judi Wolf
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 12:48 pm
I agree that I learn so much from my Personal learning Network. We are there for you! Good Luck!
Nelly Cardinale
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 12:51 pm
This is such a great idea. I think Richard is very deserving of going to this conference. His blog is such a wonderful resource for teachers.
Happy to hear that you met your goal. I guess this victory is a great example of why people should never underestimate the power of a online PLN.
Since you are such a proponent of PLN’s, I highly recommend you, as a winner of one of this year’s NECC Conference Fee Passes.
Nanci Greene
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 12:51 pm
This was a great idea! I’ve been using this with my staff as a model of positive uses of social networking. I’m excited that Richard gets to go to NECC. Based on how quickly the money was raised, it was obvious that Beth made a good choice in who to send. I look forward to reading about Richard’s NECC experiences.
Karina Linch / @mslinch
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 12:55 pm
I thought your idea was fantastic and I’m so glad you made your goal. It was an honor to be able to participate.
I’ve learned a tremendous amount from my PLN and I deeply value the new relationships I’ve developed with new educational advisers. As a former teacher who now creates educational content for BrainPOP, resources like Twitter help me stay connected to the classroom and gain instant feedback on what does or doesn’t work. Thank you!
Alicia Hausmann
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 1:49 pm
Hey Beth! Great idea! Good luck and see you soon!
Cassandra Person
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 1:58 pm
This is a fantastic idea!
Jerry Swiatek/@jswiatek
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 1:59 pm
As a new teacher, this PLN has been incredibly invaluable to me. I am excited that Richard is able to go to NECC this year!! His blog was one of the very first I subscribed to when my newly created Google Reader account was mere days old (it has hundreds now :) I have learned so much from everyone in my PLN and to see how generous everyone is just reinforces that I am attaching myself to an amazing group of people. Props to you Beth for this incredible idea. Props to you Voicethread for the donation that sent this over the top. Props to my PLN for helping to keep my head afloat during my critical first few years of teaching. Have fun Richard, you deserve it!!!
Nicole Zink
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 2:07 pm
I haven’t used Twitter but the different, and educational, uses are intriguing.
Good luck!
Sheila
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 2:10 pm
Good luck with your PLN
Steve Muth
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 2:10 pm
Congratulations Beth,
Efforts like yours prove the transformational power of web networks. Four friends can help each other out, but 40 or 400 can do something pretty amazing. We didn’t even know Richard before someone in your PLN(Lee Kolbert) mentioned your blog post. We were asking her what she thought of our idea to sponsor educators rather than be a floor exhibitor this year, and she immediately said ‘Yes! and I know just where to start”
Thanks for the spark. We’re looking forward to meeting you and Richard in person.
Emily Anderson
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 3:20 pm
Great idea! Good luck!
Marcia Hersh
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 3:43 pm
Beth, I applaud your efforts and congratulate you on your successful project. The power of PLN’s is so strong that together, we can accomplish much! I am so happy for Richard Byrne. There will be much to learn from attending the NECC conference. I am jealous of everyone that gets to go, as you will all build your PLN’s while there. I plan to “be there” via Twitter! (@MarciaHersh)
Cory Plough
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 4:21 pm
I am so proud of you Beth. It was inspiring to see this idea come to life and reach its destiny. It has also been fun to see you grow the last year. Your PLN is lucky to have you.
Tara Seale
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 5:43 pm
I subscribe to Richard Byrne’s blog, Free Technology for Teachers, and I follow him on Twitter. I think this was a great project to show the power of a PLN, and Richard deserves to go.
Nancy Pratt
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 6:10 pm
Beth and Everyone,
I am so energized by the power of this event. I think that it shows the goodness, and really the generosity of people around the world. In these times, it is such a great story to share and be a part of.
YOU GO GIRL! I wish I was going to the conference, but I know that I will “see” all of you virtually! I’ll be lurking! Maybe next we need to organize a virtual event or events, so that those of us who cannot attend, can still “be there” and contribute. I am considering planning an event here in my district, inviting folks, offering professional development hours, and seeing what kind of turn out I get.
We’ll Talk………
Take care and hope to see you soon!
Mary Lou Buell
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 8:50 pm
Wow…I can’t believe how quickly your goal was achieved. I am a new fan/user of voice thread, so it’s nice to know they are philanthropic as well.
Ben Grundy
Thursday, 30th April 2009 at 9:43 pm
I just came across this link, via twitter of coarse… ‘25 Reasons Why Someone Should Join Twitter’ (http://www.balkhis.com/twitter/25-reasons-why-someone-should-join-twitter/)
Although it’s not specific to educators on Twitter, it makes some very good points that relate to educators.
Enjoy
Sabrina Boehm
Friday, 1st May 2009 at 12:06 am
Congratulations Beth, you showed the power of the people. Happy to help.
Jenny Reeser
Friday, 1st May 2009 at 8:39 am
Great idea!
Tia Peterson
Friday, 1st May 2009 at 11:03 am
Congratulations! This is a great idea!
M Dobro
Friday, 1st May 2009 at 3:45 pm
Good Job! You’re lighting the world on fire with your enthusiasm and willingness to share new tools.
Jason S.
Friday, 1st May 2009 at 7:38 pm
This is such an awesome idea! Rich is definitely they guy to send as he is constantly sharing all kinds of great stuff with us through his blog!
Great job Beth! What will you think of next?
Kris Still
Friday, 1st May 2009 at 9:45 pm
I am Beth’s husband. I was skeptical at first about her project to raise money for Richard, but it did not surprise me when the goal was met. Over the last year, I have seen her reach out to people everywhere to motivate and receive motivation through the use of social networking sites such as twitter. Beth is one of those people who is not content to stand by and watch. What can I say, she is a leader in her field. I am very proud of her.
Beth Still
Saturday, 2nd May 2009 at 8:39 am
I am incredibly overwhelmed by the comments posted here. I am simply a teacher who had an idea. I organized the Newbie to NECC project, but it was the people in my (our) PLN that pulled it off. I relied on the help of several people in my PLN to help me as I worked through the logistical aspects, but it was through the power of the network that this project was successful. Individuals along with VoiceThread came together to work toward a common goal.
I am thrilled that we reached the goal and that we did it in a relatively short amount of time. (Richard is in for an exciting and rewarding experience.) I never really doubted that we would, but I consider the biggest victory to be the fact that we can use this as a positive example of social networking. Think about other ways we can draw on the power of our network. How many times a day are we called on to send words of encouragement to someone who is new to Twitter? How often do we invite each other on our class blogs so we can help encourage each others students? The things we can accomplish when we work together are truly amazing.
Lee mentioned there were some who questioned the value of this project. I am glad that those tough questions were asked because it gave me the opportunity to clarify a few points. It is necessary (albeit uncomfortable at times) to include people in our PLN who do not think the same way. If we surround ourselves with people who are just like us we won’t have as many opportunities for growth. The great thing about Twitter is that when these people get annoying we have the option to unfollow or just turn them off for a while!
I hope that all of the people who commented on this post that are new to Twitter will stick with it. Twitter is all about who you follow; not who is following you. People who have the most successful PLN’s are the ones who have found the “right” people to follow. Who are the “right” people? It depends on who you are. There is no set group of people that you have to follow. You just have to take the time to find people that inspire you!
If you are attending NECC I hope to meet you there. If not then I will continue learning with you here online. Thanks again for all of your kind words!
Molly Skoog
Monday, 4th May 2009 at 1:10 pm
Great idea! Your sister let me know about this. Good luck!
Jeff West
Tuesday, 5th May 2009 at 1:00 pm
My compliments to Beth for putting such enthusiasm and energy into this very worthwhile project. Beth spends many hours preparing and teaching in her currecnt position. To also be willing to do this and help other people on top of all her other responsibilities, is worthy of recognition.
Kirk Begley
Tuesday, 5th May 2009 at 2:45 pm
I have the privilege to work with Beth each day and appreciate her dedication to students and staff at ESU 13, VALTS, and NEVA. She believes in 21st century skills and allows our students to use technology tools each and every day in her classroom. Beth congrats on sending a newbie to the conference!! Keep up the good work!!!
Sarah Richter
Monday, 11th May 2009 at 12:45 pm
Beth,
Thank you for keeping ESU 13 and Nebraska’s Panhandle current with technology in the classroom!
Kelvin Thompson
Tuesday, 9th June 2009 at 1:12 pm
My PLN is a “force multiplier” (to use a term from Colin Powell). It extends my awareness, my processing power, my experiences, and my influence far beyond my own individual efforts and beyond my immediate (physical) community. I benefit from my PLN each day. (Thanks, Beth for being an important part of my PLN.) :-)
The ISTE10 Newbie Project is Underway! Meet this Year’s Newbie: | ISTE Connects - Educational Technology
Thursday, 27th August 2009 at 4:41 pm
[...] in April I wrote a post that appeared here on ISTE Connects which was titled “Demonstrate the Power of a Personal Learning Network: Help Send a Newbie to NECC.“ The post turned out to be incredibly popular and brought a lot of attention to the [...]
Rachael
Tuesday, 27th October 2009 at 5:29 am
WELL DONE BETH,
You are a star. You have used your PLN for good and given an opportunity to a complete stranger. You have been self-less and willing to give. So often today we see opportunities for us to take, take, take but you are a true giver.
As a Masters (EducationTechnology) student your use of PLN’s is very interesting – I am currently working on my final research paper and have never before used a PLN. Can you believe that?! I have participated in group discussions through discussion boards and online chat sessions with video link up with students across the world but at the completion of each of these units the students tended to submit their final assignment, say farewell and log out never to be seen again – other than the occasional student who you may have come across in a previous unit.
It is very disappointing that this has occurred as there are so many knowledgeable people out there willing to share and help (Like you) and we tend to lose contact so easily.
I personally would like to thank @marynabadenhors (Twitter) for her introduction to twitter and blogging. in he past 2 months I have learnt so much about both of these networking platforms. I admit I was a skeptic who thought twitter and the like were only for those who wanted to keep up with the Hollywood gossip and could never see myself using or having a need for it – I even kept my twitter secret from my family – albeit only for a few days- because I thought they would think I was strange or something.
Now, although I am not an everyday contributor yet I love to jump on and see what is going on in my PLN. I hope beyond my studies to continue and further develop & increase my PLN. It feels great to belong and you validate this with your generosity Beth.
Thanks again & WELL DONE!
Beth Still
Tuesday, 27th October 2009 at 1:53 pm
Rachel,
Let me start by saying thank you for your kind words. However, I will have to disagree with something you said. I am most definitely NOT a star! I am just really good at organizing people. The real stars are the people in my PLN who share their ideas and offer their help when needed. If you want to read another completely amazing story about the power of PLN’s then go to my blog and read my post from mid-October about how my PLN saved my first workshop presentation. They ROCKED! Once again, I was the organizer who stood on the sidelines while they worked to make sure that I had everything I needed so my presentation did not fall apart.
You mentioned it is interesting how I use my PLN. The beauty of Twitter is that we all use it slightly differently. I often have to remind people who are new to Twitter that they don’t have to contribute as much as they learn. I certainly don’t! I am not sure it is possible to contribute as much as you learn on Twitter since there is such a vast stream of information coming across it.
If you want to learn more about what my PLN means to me please check out my blog. Most of my posts are about my PLN because they have played such a huge role in what I have learned over the last two years.
I am looking forward to learning with you on Twitter!
Beth
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