My personal learning network (PLN) is a network where I can interact with teachers and math professionals to learn about different resources, as well as share resources I have discovered. I can also receive input from my PLN regarding questions I have about teaching.
I have been using Twitter as a PLN to connect with math teachers who have a strong desire to improve the way math is taught. Many of the articles they share address why kids are having such a hard time understanding different math concepts.
Since I am most interested in teaching algebra and geometry, I have chosen to include algebra and geometry teachers in my network. I also have a few people in my network who specialize in technology. I have added them to my network because I am curious about learning how I can incorporate technology into the classroom.
On April 4 at 3:30pm I participated in a math chat. I found this chat by searching Twitter for the keyword #mathchat. My experience was very positive, and it taught me that a twitter chat is an information gold mine. Generally, chats are more active than the twitter homepage. Members participating in #mathchat shared many useful articles. One such article that caught my attention was called Khan Academy-Algorithms and Autonomy. This article discussed the importance of focusing less on finding the correct mathematical answer, and more on the process of solving the problem.
Diigo is another very useful networking tool where members can share websites they have bookmarked. When I log onto Diigo, I can see sites that were recently bookmarked by members of my community. Like my Twitter account, my Diigo Network consists of math teachers specializing in algebra and geometry. On my Diigo account, I have tagged three websites as “PLN”. The first two sites give examples of practical math lessons, the third website is a blog that discusses the benefits of intergrading technology in math classes.
Another resource I use is a discussion forum titled Educator PLN. On this site I was directed to a video titled: “Get the Math in Video Games”. This video featured Julia Detar, a video game programmer who explained that all programming languages are mathematically based. When the video was over, the site directed you to one of the games Ms Detar created. It was a math game where the player is asked to plot linear coordinates. This video and this game would both be very useful in an algebra classroom.
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