I frequently get asked...
1. How do you find all of these apps and websites?
2. How do you stay in touch with the latest and greatest technology?

My answer? My PLN or Personal Learning Network

What is a PLN?


How should you use your PLN? How to Become a Connected Educator 

With new technology being introduced daily we as educators have to MAKE TIME and become connected with other educators. In order to improve our teaching we have to see and evaluate other professionals best practices. It may be my generation or perhaps my personal learning style but the last thing I want to do is sit down and read a book or article about teaching strategies. The best way for me to get information and truly understand it is to: see it and the product that is produced.

I have multiple places that I find my information but have found it helpful to organize my Digital PLN in a Symbaloo:


#cisdechat is held on Wednesdays at 4:00pm!

What/who is your most valuable resource in your PLN? (please comment below)

This year CISD 3rd - 12th grade students and teachers have Gaggle Accounts and with Gaggle (drum roll please)...teachers and students have an unlimited amount of blogs! Today I had the opportunity to present the blogging application to the teachers at AV Cato. 

Here are a few reason why I am in LOVE with Gaggle Blogs:
1. Easy to set up and access
2. Multiple blog themes available, this allows students to have ownership in selecting their themes but does not allow them edit the theme or move things around... thus gives them time to be creative but with management of time
3. Insert Gaggle Tube videos and documents stored in their Digital Locker with their peers =  collaboration!
4. "Say It" button that has a roboticish voice that reads their blogs, this allows students to hear what they wrote and ask themselves the important question of, "Does it make sense?" Oh... did I mention they have this in English and Spanish?
5. "Translate" button will translate the text to another language and "Say It"
6.  "Blog Look Up" allows for teachers and students to search all blogs within Gaggle, comment on their peers blogs and "Favorite" blogs for quick access
7. Unlimited number of blogs, this means students can have one per subject or topic

Need some blogging prompts?  http://www.lorideboer.net/blogging-ideas-for-students-of-all-ages/

Why should students blog? http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/3721

Need a Gaggle Blog tutorial?


How do you plan on implementing Gaggle Blogs or other blogging platforms into your curriculum? Please comment below.