I keep a "Favorites" list with numerous categories on both Internet Explorer and Google Chrome. It is a dynamic list, one I update every time I am on the web. It is also one I use every time I need to be on the web. Each of your blog websites is in that list. Each of the more valuable web sites we told each other about during week 2 is also in that list. Other web sites I found since then have been added to that list. So My Favorites List from Internet Explorer and Google Chrome are prominent features of my mind map.
There are also the people I know or am introduced to, either in person or via the phone or Internet. I learned about a free set of seminars focused on Social networking, one of which was to be facilitated by an old friend of mine that had moved to California. Since I wanted to reconnect with her and find out about how social networking helped build communities and business opportunities, I signed up. I met and networked with several people from downtown Phoenix, students at ASU, one of the anchors/reporters for ABC 15 who is really into Twitter, Facebook, etc. Most of the reporters and anchors on the ABC 15 morning news show all have iPads that they are using throughout the broadcast. Amazing! Their NOW @ 9 (9 a.m.) is filled with social network posts and information being shared across the city, state, country, and globe. It is one of the more interesting news broadcasts.
Which brings me to an article I read about a teacher using Twitter to keep her students and their parents informed on a daily basis about what is going on in the class, what the homework is for that night, and easy access to her for to a student or a parent? I never thought of using Twitter to create a community and quick communication for a class. It reminds me of when I was growing up in a small town. If I did something an adult disapproved of, my mom knew about it before I arrived home. The "small town grapevine" had ensured she was apprised of the situation. These days, she would have received several tweets instead of phone calls. I also follow President Obama’s White House Twitter group and receive tweets from him and/or his senior advisors on a daily basis. So here we have another part of the Personal Learning Network - Twitter.
So far, I have a mindmap based on the following groupings:.
Social Network
LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook
Yelp
Skype
Digg
Classmates.com
MyLife.com
Hardware
Acer
Cannon
Gateway
Iomega
Logitech
Microsoft (Live Chat Headset)
HP
Newegg.com
Intel
Software
Microsoft
Word
Excel
Power Point
Clip Organizer
OneNote
Internet Explorer
Google
Chrome
iGoogle
iReader
Google Talk
Evernote
NookStudy
Toodledo
Foxfire
Adobe
Acrobat Pro 9
Acrobat Reader X
Adobe Digital Editions
LiveCycle Designers
Acrobat Distiller
Bridge CS5
Contribute CS5
Device Central CS5
Dreamweaver CS5
Fireworks CS5
Flash Builder CS5
Flash Professional CS5
Flash Catalyst CS5
Illustrator CS5
PhotoShop CS5
Pixel Bender Toolkit
McAfee
Virus Scan
Spyware Protection
Firewall
Site Advisor
Home Network Manager
Parental Controls
McAfee Tools
Automatic Updater
Quick Clean
Shredder
Windows Defragmenter
Online Backup
Hacker Watch
Virus Information Library
Virus Map
Traffic Monitor
AntiSpam
AntiPhishing
Stumbler (StumbleUpon)
GIMP
CyberLink Power DVD 9
iTunes
iTunes Player
iTunes Store
iTunes University
Ping
Genius
AudioBooks
PodCasts
SourceForge
Inkscape
FreeMind
Digiarty
WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe
EgisTech
My WinLocker
WinRar
7Zip
WinZip
HyperStudio
Audacity
Websites
Blogs
Software and Hardware Support
Cox Communications
Acer Support
Microsoft Support
McAfee Support
Staples
Adobe eSeminars
Television
HBO Documentaries
Discovery Chanel
Science Channel
PBS
Showtime
History Channel
The Learning Channel
Do It Yourself Channel
Animal Planet
National Geographic
History International Channel
Biography Channel
BBC America
ABC 15
Newsletters & Magazines
Educational Leadership Magazine
Eric Jensen's Brighter Brain Bulletin
Kathie Nunley's Educator's Newsletter
ERN: George Siemen's eLearning Resources and News
ASCD Edge Newsletter
ASCD Express
ASCD Smart Brief
eLearning Newsletters
Learning Solutions Magazine
EduBlogs
Education Week
Digital Directions (from Education Week)
Consumer Reports Magazine and Newsletter
American Spirit (Daughters of the American Revolution)
Books
www.Barnes&Noble.com
ASCD.com
Amazon.com
Bookmans Half-Price Bookstore
Libraries (Local City, County, State)
Communications
Skype
IM
Video Calls
Phone Calls
IM on Facebook
Cox Communications
Land Phone Line
VoiceMail
Broadband Internet
Email
Cell Phone
AT&T
Snail Mail
U.S. Postal Service
UPS
FedEx
AT&T
Cell phone
Associations
ASCD
ISTE
GTD
NAMI
Daughters of the American Revolution
People
Family
Old Friends
Classmates
Instructors
Co-Workers
School Network
Walden University
Walden University Library
Walden University Courses
Walden University Email
Walden University Book Store
Writing Center
Academic Advising
Financial Aid Advising
Turn It In
iTunes University
Citrix Online
GoToMeeting
GoToWebinar
Lynda.com
University of Northern Colorado
Laurel High School
There are also useless information sources that don't really have anything to do with this class. For instance, I just found the link to the wondrous Microsoft Worldwide Telescope that is circling around Mars right now and I can see what they are finding on the ground with those little robot rovers. Or I can find very useful information not really connected to this class: I can use my cell phone to navigate me intersection-by-intersection to where ever I need to go. (I used to get lost and/or take double the usual time to get anywhere.) I can also use that same cell phone to find information on the internet if necessary.
To be honest with you, there are so many directions information is coming and going that I sometimes feel like I am overwhelmed with information. I remember back when cuddling up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate was the highlight of my day. Now I read my books online, go to school online, shop online, email instead of snail mail, check the weather online, etc. I think I am becoming a part of the Digital Generation. Is that possible or am I just part of the generation adapting to it? I am not sure. I have been working with computers since college in the 1970s. I have kept up with most of the technology as it comes out. I have both a desktop PC and a laptop, both a land line and a cell phone. I watch who is online using Skype and Facebook. One area I do not have in common with the Digital Generation is the love for playing multi-player fighting games online. I prefer games that make me think, puzzles and word games. I am trying to find a way to buy the “Just Dance” game for my son’s Wii. So maybe I am about 75% caught up with the Digital Generation. I think I need this in order to design immersive game-based learning modules for young adults as well as adults. I am hoping when I finish this Masters program, I will be able to do that, and secure a good paying job doing it.
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