Networking used to be something you did face-to-face usually in a group setting or just recently for me at a conference. Being able to share stories and experiences with others is a very valuable tool. There have been many times that I have gone to conferences and I learned more from the networking then I did with the actually conference sessions. Utilizing the online networking sites has been a very valuable tool for me also. Some of the sites I use on a regular basis is the Quality Matters and Sloan Consortium. Both of these sites pertain to distance learning and have done the research pertaining to distance learning thus saving me a lot of time when I am searching for the latest and greatest.
When I am looking to find something new I utilize the my sites I listed in my mind map ninety percent of the time that is all I need to do. The other thing I utilize a lot is a Google search. Many times it returns more than enough information to get me started on what I am looking for.
The definition of connectivism that knowledge exists in the world rather than in the head of a person my personal learning network I think supports this definition. I personally know that I have learned from my personal learning network. Sharing of information and teaching and learning from each other I think is very vital to anyone.
Kerry, I find it rather exhilerating to know that these networks are easier than ever to form. It is amazing when I look at my networks, how many people I have "met" without ever seeing them face-to-face. What a wonderful potenital we all have to reach out and connect to people, and have this huge knowlege share...the possibilities seem to be endless when looking at networks from a learning perspective!
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