Lifelong Learning 2.0

Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) are an integral part of an educator’s life.

Since getting started 10 months ago, my PLN has been the best thing to come my way professionally.  For those of you new to the concept, you can build your network by participating in social networks, conferences, blogs and twitter.  Even though I’ve only been on twitter since May, I have received a wealth of information to last a lifetime.

I am nurturing my network by collaboration, contributions, and deep conversations. My PLN helps me stay connected and teaches me new things daily.  They also make me think when I should go deeper, laugh about life, and stretch where I need to grow.

My first blog post about NECC focuses on my PLN.  Why? Because the face-to-face conversations were the most valuable part of the conference.  Although there were many fabulous workshops taking place, I gained much more from the networking connections with people at the Blogger’s cafe, on twitter, and in backchannels.

Here are a few things to consider when making connections at a conference:

1.  Plan to meet your PLN.

The best part of being at NECC was spending time, in person, with many of the people in my learning community. It was an amazing and surreal experience.   How fun to be able to tweet my location and have people run over to say hello.  I connected with virtual friends even up to the last day of the conference.  I will have a new experience when I see their name on a tweet or read their blog post, having met them in person.

I enjoyed meeting new people to add to my learning community.  It’s neat how you can just meet someone, and by the end of the conference, feel as though you’ve known him or her for years.  I will miss hanging out.  It was an experience I’ll treasure.

2.  Plan to meet the well-connected people.

Besides hanging out with my own tweeps, I made an effort to introduce myself to those well-connected bloggers in our midst.  We all learn from them.  Why not say hello?  Sure, sometimes people put them up on a pedestal (some put themselves there), but they are just regular people.  Unlike the experience this blogger had, I found value from our exchanges.  Taking an interest in what they are up to, as well as being able to share I’m doing, made for great conversation.

Angela Maiers was one of those bloggers I’ve admired for a long time.  As I made my way over to introduce myself on the first day, she rushed over and kept hugging me.  She knew my name before I put my name tag on.  She asked me questions about the projects I’m involved in, and was such an encouragement to me.  Isn’t that just Angela, though?  I want to always be as authentic and caring. I want to give back as much as I get from my PLN.

3. Plan to meet the new people.

As equally important to not being star-struck with well-known bloggers, make a point to meet the new people.  Don’t just say hello, but engage!

I spent a lot of time at NECC in the blogger’s cafe’ and hallways.  You can tell who the new people are. They slowly walk up to the blogger’s cafe. They look around, then sneak in a few photos before finding a seat at the edge of the room.

I took a funny picture of a friend from the back, with the Teach42 blog on their laptop, and Steve Dembo standing right in front of them.  He was comparing the photo to see if it was actually Steve standing before him.  Of course, I then had to introduce myself to Steve, and then introduce the two of them, so they could have the chance to meet.  It was a great moment.

During the conference, I walked right up to people that didn’t seem to know anyone.  Many people, like myself, attend these conferences alone.  I asked them questions and listened intentionally.  Many times, we ended up exchanging business cards and sharing ideas.  Everyone has a story to tell.  It is so important at events like NECC, to include new people and make them feel valued.

Wait.  I’m new!

Which brings up another point.  Don’t wait for people to include you.  Reach out to others.

4. Plan to collaborate.

What should you do now that the conference is over?  Well, the conversations are only just beginning!  I plan to collaborate with a teacher on digital portfolios next fall.  I hope to work with another few teachers on a book discussion group.  I chatted with a few people about the possibility of co-presenting at future conferences.  A few of us discussed ideas for meet-ups.  Wikis were shared for global classroom connections.  The possibilities for collaboration are endless!

Read tweets and blogposts about the NECC experience.  Find them on twitter with the hashtag #NECC09.  Check out these blogs. Make a note if something resonates with you.  Contact those people you may want to work on a project with in the future.

5.  Plan to go deep!

Be authentic.  Of course, your PLN can be a valuable resource, but don’t let it stop there.  Go deep!  Look for ways to contribute to others.  I love what Beth Still has done in setting up the Help Send a Newbie to NECC project.  What a great way to give back.  There are many people who do this well that you can learn from.  Be part of a larger community of learners.

There were so many things I took away from the conference, which I’ll be blogging about in the next few days.  However, the exchanges and networking with others was the most valuable experience at NECC09. My PLN definitely rocks!