Welcome to the first ICT PD live event for 2011. In preparation for this seminar   • When you join session ...view...layout...default layout • Make sure everyone checks their audio first •When you enter the room right click on your profile and update your details Protocols of engagement • Offer comments or questions using the chat facility • Click on the hands up tool if you want to use the microphone. One person at a time. • Responses to questions can be made using the X or √  or thumbs down. • All ideas voiced will be respected by the group. We value your input.

Welcome to the first ICT PD live event for 2011. This opportunity is designed to bring cluster leaders together to chat and unpack, What is the Virtual Learning Network [www.vln.school.nz]? How can we use this space to engage communities and share effective practice? Your role: To become more familiar with the purpose and tools of the VLN edu-social network and to think about ways to engage professional learning in this space Host: Tessa Gray Guest: Karen Melhuish Duration: 40 minutes First 20: Why, what Second 20: How

Just quickly, what would you like to get out of this session Just quickly, what would you like to get out of this session? Or maybe: Why are you here today? Type these ideas in chat room box on the left.

How do you socialise with family, friends and colleagues online ? What are the websites and tools do you use? Record these ideas in the chat room facility. Let’s review.

Why is it important for all educators to keep connecting? Record these ideas in chat facility. Let’s review.

“Communities of practice are groups of people who share a passion for something that they know how to do and who interact regularly to learn how to do it better” Etienne Wenger 1. Working in collaboration is a social process which can create a “space” for community to develop. 2. Learning in community allows for mentor relationships which introduce new members to shared practices and knowledge, preserving the past while inviting new skills and practices. 3. Learning in community can create a shared culture and practices. http://www.slideshare.net/pt36/building-learning-communities-online-presentation

The VLN is a social hub/portal to connect (new and existing) communities for common needs – where people can ask questions, offer advice, professional development, a way to share effective practice.

Bring resources and initiatives from many locations together The BIG picture…a TKI and VLN web presence will help… Bring resources and initiatives from many locations together Capture effective practice for everyone to share – user generated Community-wide sense of being part of a national effort Help build capacity and effect student learning outcomes

The BIG picture: How can we… support communities across the country to increase the quantity of student achievement mediated by ICTs? develop a coherent and connected picture of what’s happening? help the group of communities link to each other to share, improve practice and support themselves? Work flexibly, respond to needs, model blended approaches, and extend the reach of what we do?

A community starts with you…

How the VLN will support our work? Finding and connecting with ‘people like me’: searchable profiles; find members/colleagues; friends of friends Online e-learning portal to build sense of the bigger community: personalised dashboard Connect, collaborate and share cross-sector: facilitated groups (e.g. e-portfolios), bookmarks, resources, pages Expand opportunities for professional learning: discussions, events, programmes of learning (brokerage service)

TIME TO TAKE A WEB TOUR… http://www.vln.school.nz/

A community starts with you… Sustain and maintain your personalised portal (with detailed profile, join groups, organise widgets, arrange your dashboard) Sustain and maintain your group (with individualised group identity, links to other groups, tools for communicating and sharing) Understand the purpose for connecting and sharing, model this by initiating conversations in your communities Distribute any support material to your learning community and empower them to use the tools Get connected and participate where appropriate

What questions do you still have? What practical action can you put in place immediately? What would you like more support for?