blogging alliance – iLearn Technology

Webspiration Wednesday: Virtual PLN Hugs

April 29, 2010Kelly Tenkely16 Comments4443 views

I’ll be honest, yesterday was not a very inspirational Wednesday. I didn’t get to hold my regular teacher gathering for inspiration because I was in a meeting. It seemed like everywhere I turned, discouragement was waiting to stare me in the face. So, what do I do when I am feeling discouraged? I look to my PLN, of course. You all are a constant source of inspiration and encouragement for me. From my Twitter friends to my blogging alliance bloggers, they are a constant source of sunshine. So, for today’s (late) Webspiration Wednesday, I am sharing the blogs that make me smile, and offering you another opportunity to jump into Twitter and join our PLN (personal learning network).

This Week in Ed Tech

The Book Chook

My Integrating Technology Journey

Classroom Chronicles

Bits and Pieces Place

Bits ‘n Bytes

Blogging About the Web 2.0 Classroom

Education as a Portal

EDucation ToGoBox

Educational Technology and Life

EduNut

Integrating Technology in the Primary Classroom

It’s Elementary!

Learning 2.0

Living and Learning Together

Realizing Your Personal Legend

Techno Constructivist

Technology Figuring Out How the Pieces Fit

Tech for Your Content

The Education Technology Blog

The Interactive Classroom

The Learning Blog

The Missouri FCCLA Blog

The Nerdy Teacher

The Pursuit of Technology Integration Happiness

The Techie Classroom

World Languages Technology Consultant

This Swiftly Tilting Planet

Vanessa Cassie: Sharp’s Audio/Visual

What Ed Said

ZarcoEnglish- Tool of the Day

Reading Teachers Online Arsenal

Suzanne’s Blog

I get a daily dose of inspiration from my Blogging Alliance and Twitter friends, but in the past day they have spoiled me with extra acts of friendship. After I posted a discouraging tweet, I immediately got several encouraging messages from my PLN friends. This morning I woke up to more support and encouragement. @woodenmask sent me this: http://soytuaire.labuat.com/ and a gift song on iTunes The Roses of Success (from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). @lamoureuxr sent me this: Don’t Stop Believing Kid’s Choir. @TheNerdyTeacher included me in his tribute to Snick post that made me laugh out loud. To my PLN, thank you for the smiles and virtual hugs today. They were felt loud and clear.

If you haven’t joined Twitter and started building your PLN yet, let me encourage you to start by following these incredible educators. Jump in, you won’t regret it!

Blogging Alliance-Essential Educational Blogs

February 1, 2010February 1, 2010Kelly Tenkely42 Comments4853 views

Just about a month ago, I proposed the idea of a blogging alliance between educational bloggers. The response has been incredible. To date there are 73 educators involved from around the world. In this month of reading and commenting I have learned a great deal from these amazing men and women, I have built new friendships, and started new conversations. It has truly been an incredible experience to have educators, passionate about learning, coming together to support each other. If you are looking for some excellent educational blogs, may I recommend those in our alliance? By clicking this link, you will be offered the opportunity to subscribe to the “bundle” of blogs in Google Reader. All of the work has been done, all you have to do is subscribe! Join us in this journey of learning, exploring, and sharing. The blogs range in topics and focus from k-12 and higher ed. Even though I teach in the elementary school, I have found the blogs geared toward middle, high school and higher ed to be fantastic. I learn something new every day.

A few of the blogs are in Spanish or Portuguese, don’t let this stop you from reading them. Google Reader makes it simple to translate a blog to your language with the click of a button. As you are reading the blog, simply click on the “Feed Settings” button above the post and choose “translate to my language”. That is it! Even if you view the original blog to add a comment, Google Translate keeps the blog translated for you. How cool is that?! There really are no boundaries to learning any more.