Determining what to add to my PLN and why

Technical instructional tools are great but there are so many out there.  There are new advances daily and many things I look up may not be current.  I also found that since I have satellite Internet, some things don't stream well.  If I have too much trouble I may need to go to town to use a faster Internet.  I really like the way that Dr. Robin, our instructor has designed our videos for class.  I never have problems with them.  I think that YOUTUBE may be the answer there.

As far as my PLN, I have decided to only use things such as links and information if they fall into certain criteria.  For the most part I am going to add things to my PLN that will help me in my current job.  That means compliance.  Right now there are so many changes that are taking place as far as sponsored projects, it is hard to determine where I should start.  I went to the website for Management Concepts (approved by the OMB) and made sure the verbiage is for the new CFR200 and not the old circulars.  The government website for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has some links but not all were updated so I need to be careful not to pull up cached pages.  If it is not a cached page, it still may not be current. so the date needs to be less than a year old, the posts need to current or within a month, the concept needs to be able to help me with the new regulations, not the old so I will need to read over the content to determine if the content is current. 
I have queried the Internet to ask some questions on Federal grant compliance.  There seems to be websites that cater more to independent contractors than for sub awardees or pass throughs., and I need to be aware of those.    Some of the websites, again are not updated to the new CFR200.  Gov loop has quite a bit of online webinars that are free.  This is a good source and there are videos that you may use for training or educational purposes.  I need to make sure that the verbiage is at a level that everyone can understand. Below are a couple of links that work for me.

www.govloop.com`

Resources from Management Concepts

• Blogs
• Free Assessments
• Free Webinars
• Free Whitepapers

I will be experimenting with my blog and my PLN this weekend.  How do you determine if content is current and accurate?  Are there certain standards or criteria that you need to adhere to?  Please let me know if you have tips on navigating that maze.  I could use some help doing that.

I want to thank all of you that have given me ideas, advice, expertise, and most of all you time. 

techtooljule
#techhrd

Today I read more and looked at some web sites.  It came to me that I may already have been working on a PLN but never called it that.  I do subscribe to some sites on Federal grant compliance.  I have subscribed to Management Concepts and receive their quarterly updates (E-clips) on compliance issues and changes.

Today, I also had some great feedback from some classmates.  I feel like they are very professional and they have already given me some great ideas.  Their feedback has helped me to be positive and be successful in learning more about blogging and starting a PLN.

My adventure is beginning to pick up speed and I think I have an area on the map that I want to visit.

This is a great class!  I think the feedback I have received has opened my eyes to the possibilities and some of the opportunities that I have been overlooking.

techtooljule

#techhrd

Today we are on our way to PLN.  The PLN makes sense to me but I will not have many comments until I start creating the Personal Learning Network.
We have lots of great tools at our fingertips and I can't wait to learn more. 

If you have had experience creating a PLN, I would love for  you to take the drivers seat and give me some advice, share your experience, or share a best practice.  The keys to this adventure are waiting for you.

techtooljule

#techhrd

Today I am reading up on Blogging and preparing to begin my adventure.

I am taking a course in instructional technologies and that is where my journey begins.  Just like any adventure, I need to think of what I want to take with me.  I am packing some tech tools in my "suitcase".  As I go along I will share my experiences with you.   I hope you will join me and that you will share your experiences with me about your adventures in "Blogging" and other instructional technologies.

I am new to this and would love to hear how you decided what instructional technology you wanted to use, and what tools you pack in your "suitcase".

#techhrd

Hi, this is techtooljule.   I am learning how to blog for part of a class.  I have never blogged before so I am looking forward to learning this new technological learning and teaching tool.  I am hoping you will join me in my blogging adventures.

techtooljule

I can hardly believe that the first week of class is over and we are almost 1/2 way through the 2nd week.  This week I am very excited to learn about the PLN.  I had not heard this term before this class so I am thankful for the tools that our instructor has given us.  The PLN makes sense to me but I really cannot write much about it until I am a bit more educated.

The next stop on this adventure is learning more about the PLN and stating my own PLN.  I will be taking advantage of the tools given to us and will dive into my PLN.

If you have any hints on what will help me be efficient and effective in creating a useful tool that will help to increase my knowledge and network, let me know.

I will be back on Thursday to let you know what I have learned.

techtooljule

#techhrd