Do you have a PLN?

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Image credit: Henkster

A few years ago Twitter, Google Reader and online communities were concepts I hadn’t paid much attention to. Now they are an essential part of my world. What’s changed? Why have they become so valuable?

These applications connect me to learning; they form part of my PLN (personal learning network).

What a PLN can do

This network is a collection of individuals’ ideas, links and knowledge that they share freely. It is personal—I tailor it, selecting who and what topics I will follow. It connects me to experts in the field—both known and unknown—all with amazing abilities to share. From these people I learn more about teaching and education, about reflection, about the latest applications and other topics that I am interested in.

My PLN challenges me to think and consider aspects that I may never have otherwise. It gives me opportunity to contribute and exchange ideas through my blog, twitter account and online communities. It’s exciting to have such access to a range of rich content.

Try building your own PLN

If you haven’t tried it out and want to give it a go, start out by subscribing to a blog of someone who inspires you, or follow them on twitter. Add people as you ‘find’ them and before you know it, you will have a PLN that supports you.

Good places to start online networking are:

My challenge to you is to explore and see what PLN you might build. If you already have a PLN, please post a comment and share some of your favourites with us.

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Where in the world is Exec? Just check out their QR code

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iPhone-QR CORE's web site QR

QR (quick response) codes have been around for some years, being popular in Japan. They are fast becoming tools for education with schools using them in a variety of ways to support teaching and learning.

They're quite fun, too!

A fun QR quiz for CORE Early Years Team after a day of meetings

The CORE Early Years Team, 16 staff spread across New Zealand, meet face-to-face twice a year. As part of the evening’s festivities, the team took part in a QR quiz called “Where in the world is Exec?”. Tania and I, QR code fans, wanted to share QR codes with the team in a way that was fun and entertaining, given it followed a full day of meetings. The two of us developed a QR quiz. A top secret mission was given to four teams who needed to hunt down and find which Exec member they were looking for, what they were doing and who they were with.

Each team downloaded QR readers on their iPhones, with the iPhones being the only tools allowed to read the codes and search the meaning on the web. Once the team had solved all four clues, they then needed to create a code and send back the answer.

It was a fun activity at the end of a busy day of meetings.

QR codes are being used in education

But QR codes have a more serious use, too! Examples of how the QR codes are being used in education were shared at the end of the quiz.

Some uses for QR codes in education

  • Book review podcasts—the QR code takes students through to a student-produced book review of books in the library
  • Links to websites at schools (Dunedin Library has QR codes to link through to their free wireless) so the web page opens up directly in whatever mobile technology you are using. QRs are used widely overseas for quick links to websites, and feature in tourist brochures, billboards, shop windows etc.
  • Extending learning, or providing alternative links to subjects—for example, QR codes link to further information on subjects (teachers paste QR codes in parts of textbooks so that the reader can access a Youtube on this subject so the student can visualise as well as read)
  • Ubitour books—(watch the YouTube video) where books have pre-printed qr codes that extend upon the reading experience so readers can comment on books, experience audio and video supplementaries that extend the reading experience
  • In some countries (e.g. Japan) QR codes are printed on vegetables in temporary ink so the shopper can scan to find where the vegetables have come from. Products are being produced with a QR code printed on them that links to the web manual for the appliance or product.
  • House sales: The QR code on the 'For sale' sign links through to a video tour of the house
  • Bus/train timetables: you can read the QR code to find out when the next bus is coming to your stop
  • QR codes are placed beside artwork so that the viewers can access an explanation about the work or artist
  • QR codes on T-shirts that link through to the person's profile and contact details – we did this as part of our evening entertainment
  • QR codes on worksheets that link thought to video tutorials that show how to complete the work or solve the problem
  • Recording lessons/tutorials that are available from the QR link.
  • QR can be used reference and get to understand the periodic table.

It is all about mobile technologies and accessing information when and where you need it.

QR codes have been around in Japan for a while now, but they are more widely used now; the uses will keep growing, and as you can see, there's not too many uses in EY education (yet). Perhaps you could comment below on how you see them being able to be used!

Want to know more and find out how, check out our ece online resource site.

Your suggestions for QR use in education are welcome

In the meantime, have a play and find this member of the Exec team, then add your suggestions to the comments below as to how you see QR being used in education:

Find Exec QR example

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An Agenda for Amazing Children – Consultation Process

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ECE Taskforce Report

A few weeks ago, the ECE Taskforce released their final report – An Agenda for Amazing Children. This report confirms that there are sound reasons for leadership in funding ECE noting that "investing in early childhood education can be thought of as one of the most effective uses of taxpayer funds" (p. 28).

One of the most important findings from the report, and it is not a new finding, is the issue of quality – high quality early childhood education services provide the best outcomes for children. The report recommends ways in which quality in early childhood can be lifted so there is less variance across services.

The Government has now opened an eight-week consultation process. We have until the 8 August 2011 to submit our views on Taskforce report so that these can be considered along with the recommendations of the report. Find out more about how you can submit your thoughts on the report to the Ministry of Education.

It is important to have our say – it may make a difference to the future of early childhood education, and more importantly, to the children of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

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