As a Cisco networking instructor, I get access to the Cisco Networking Academy Learning Platform. In the Cisco NetSpace Communities, there are community-supported forums, blogs, files, and lesson plans for each of the classes of the Cisco-provided curriculum. I have used the forums for troubleshooting Labs and computer set-ups, and have found files and lesson plans for fun supplements, such as playing Jeopardy to reinforce chapter vocabulary. Recently, I discovered that I also have access to self-enrollment in classes about Mobility, the Internet of Everything, and Linux. These self-paced classes would be helpful in my graduate classes and in the classes I am teaching this semester.
One of my new PLNs is edWeb.net's Coding and Robotics. When I chose this network, I thought it might be useful if I ever taught programming again. Last week, I was asked to teach a programming class next semester. My approach to teaching programming languages stresses critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and this network has resources to help educators bring those skills into the process. I will be looking at this network in depth to see what it has to offer.
I joined ISTE, the International Society for Technology in Education, with a student membership. I chose three PLNs: the Computing Teachers Network, a PK-12 group that fits what I do very well, but doesn't match the grade level (13-14) that I teach; the Innovative Learning Network, a group that is always looking for new ways to integrate technology, but is very broad, and the Online Learning Network, a group that supports both fully-online learning classes and the technology of specific online tools, such as those used for collaboration and/or communication. I will be browsing the Computing Teachers Network, as I can use some of the high school ideas, and the Online Learning Network, as many of the classes I teach are set up online on Blackboard.
This week, in the VMware Technology Network forums, I found information about how to nest a Client Hyper-V Windows 10 virtual machine inside a VMware Windows 8.1 virtual machine. Every semester, my students come to me with a higher level of digital literacy, but I believe that even my tech-savvy students are going to be impressed with this. I have to keep it engaging!
Although up to this point I have only been reading and "consuming" at these learning communities, I have noticed discussion posts that I would feel comfortable addressing. In the future, I will be a contributing member of the communities in which I feel I have a higher level of expertise. Maybe I'll share my Virtual Jeopardy! PowerPoint and my nested Windows 10 virtual machine at the VMware forums.
The following is an annotated list of the learning networks of which I am a member. Please leave a comment below if you would like to share any further information about these or other Professional Learning Networks.
Cisco Networking Academy - Learning Platform: NetSpace Communities
https://www.netacad.com/about-networking-academy/learning-platform
The NetSpace Communities are available to instructors of schools who are Cisco Networking Academies. The collaborative communities are set up in addition to the Cisco curriculum and are designed to be instructor-supported and -driven supplement to it. There are forums, blogs, files, and lesson plans for each of the curriculum paths and their specific classes. I have found these to be excellent sources to supplement my Cisco classes. I will also be exploring their self-enrollment classes for other related subjects.
edWeb.net: Coding and Robotics
http://www.edweb.net/code
Coding and Robotics is a free PLN offered by edWeb.net. This community is made up of experts and educators, who are sharing information about how to teach coding and robotics and also how to integrate coding theory into core subjects. Features include shared lesson plans, practices, ideas, applications, quizzes, forums, and webinars, both live and archived.
ISTE: Computing Teachers Network
http://connect.iste.org/communities/community-home?CommunityKey=6fed01aa-9e1f-4c27-87d1-95d0afcbbbeb
The Computing Teachers Network supports the teaching of computing and/or computer science as a subject, mostly grades PK–12. Members share information about various topics, including after-school Computer Clubs, computer science classes, lab set-ups, robotic competitions, "girls and computers," webinars, events, and professional and curriculum development.
ISTE: Innovative Learning Network
http://connect.iste.org/communities/community-home?CommunityKey=1ff1cc88-0e69-4ac9-9b3f-a0af2007f5b1
The Innovative Learning Technologies Network's goal is to share information about new and innovative technologies in learning. There are Discussions, Blogs and Guest Blogs, Webinars, Events, and many Lesson Plans and projects using specific new technologies just waiting to be explored!
ISTE: Online Learning Network
http://connect.iste.org/communities/community-home?CommunityKey=76474914-fdc2-43e3-912c-5ab3865bd55e
The Online Learning Network is ISTE's network for educators interested in online and hybrid learning, or features of online learning, such as collaboration and communication tools. The network includes discussions about online course delivery, student-to-teacher ratios, and what collaboration tools, synchronous or asynchronous, work best in specific applications.
VMTN: The VMware Technology Network
https://communities.vmware.com/community/vmtn
VMware, Inc., is a commercial corporation that develops virtualization, cloud, and datacenter infrastructure software. The VMware Academic Program allows higher education to use the software for educational purposes. Their VMTN is a combination of the official VMware product documentation and the global community forums. Members can find downloads, tips, troubleshooting, training, and paths to certification.
