Before this class, I had not put a great deal of effort into using technology in a professional way (excluding Microsoft programs for resumes, and school work, of course). The article, Grow Your Personal Learning Network, by David Warlick, has a tagline that says, "New Technologies Can Keep You Connected and Help You Manage Information Overload." This tagline is the reason I was intrigued by this article, because I have difficulties keeping everything organized, especially when it comes to technology. The first idea introduced in this article is about personal learning networks, which I believe is something we will be using in this course at some point this semester. Of the three types of PLNs, I think the one I would use most is under the category, "Personally and socially maintained semisenchronous connections," because unlike twitter, the exchange of communication does not have to happen at a particular time. In the week I have been using twitter, I realize that I can miss out on some information if I am not checking it often enough. I like the idea of throwing a question out, and being sure that everyone will see my question, not only the people who are on the internet at that moment in time. I really enjoyed that the author, David Warlick, provided a "Keep It Simple" column in which he explains how one can take advantage of the personal learning networks in a simple and positive way. I plan to save these tips and remember them as I am on my journey of integrating technology into the classroom and also using social networks in a professional way.
