Comments on: Δ What I’m thankful for: my PLN on Twitter

By: Sue Waters

Sue Waters — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 04:12:23 +0000

Its funny when I started out I didn't realise with all the online tools that I was using that I was creating this amazing Personal Learning Network. When I do presentations on PLNs I talk about how I gradually starting sharing information on my podcast, wiki and blog sites; when suddenly I realised what I had done was created this amazing PLN that spans the World. For me, twitter is like the glue the cements together all the parts of my PLN and helps me create deeper connections with people in my network. And the amazing side conversations like I had with Rob on Friday are what leads to greater connections. Or the crazy ones about chocolate lead to finding out that I'm not alone in my chocolate addiction. Sue Waters’s last blog post..Insomnia, Twitter and Personal Learning Networks!

By: Bill Fenstermaker

Bill Fenstermaker — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:30:23 +0000

Ahhhh PLN... Now I know what to call it when my endless Twittering is brought into question while at work. "I am utilizing my Personal Learning Network." I really need to get back into taking a few classes to keep up with the newest ~~doublespeak buzzwords~~ jargon. Bill Fenstermaker’s last blog post..WITF waning

By: Adrienne

Adrienne — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:31:47 +0000

Hi Dan, I just found your blog today, courtesy of the post you left over at The Thinking Stick. I agree with so much of what you've said here. Like you, I have many other "bits" and tools in my PLN, but Twitter is by far the greatest. It makes the people behind the blogs very real. I have also used it to extend my PLN beyond just Edutech babble (which, while useful, sometimes gets to be too much). I love that I can use Twitter to follow and connect with other people out there with similar interest to mine - yoga, music, etc. It is a very powerful tool. Adrienne’s last blog post..Feed Change

By: Frank's Blog

Frank's Blog — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:34:58 +0000

Dan, maybe they could rotate the disallowed countries each month. Of course I read that explanation that you referenced back when the plug was pulled on Mexico and other countries. Gee, Mexico, USA, and Canada are the 3 largest countries in North America .. too bad it couldn't have been a North America package, rather than the North America minus Mexico one that we have now. Or why not just Canada and Mexico and cut the USA out (be more than just me complaining is my guess, he he he). There is a lot of price fixing and monopoly shenanigans here in Mexico and Latin America in general .. so perhaps Twitter's hand was forced more than I know. They did what they had to do. I trust that. But, perhaps we can share the pain and include more diverse voices in the future. Tweet Tweet! Frank's Blog’s last blog post..21CT: MEETSEE’s New Embeddable Virtual Offices

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:02:41 +0000

Frank, The problem as I understand it is the exorbitant cost of sending SMS to a lot of countries. For more info, please see here. I feel terribly for all users, but I understand the tough place that Twitter is in right now. Considering the outrageous prices that users get charged for SMS (10 cents for a 160 byte message? insanity!) I can't even imagine the overwhelming costs that a company with no revenue would face in regards to that kind of bill.

By: Frank's Blog

Frank's Blog — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:54:42 +0000

Dan, I think I can do without the punch in the face from Twitter. But as you point out, Twitter is the nucleus of many of our PLNs. Nings and Plurk and other tools are far more communication. But Twitter is such a refreshing drink when there is thirst. And what lovely surprises jump out of that river on a daily basis. I am a Twitter early adopter and supporter, and was really disappointed when they booted Mexico (where I currently live and work in education) and other underdeveloped countries from some of the features that Twitter offers, which actually impacted my productivity and ability to use Twitter for pedagogical purposes. Oh well, I need to get over that. But it does bring to question the "fairness" in PLN tools. Mexico is not cost effective? Is cultivating community just about the bottom line? What will we miss with that paradigm? Still love Twitter tho and all the tools that have cultivated my PLN. Plurk hasn't really yielded the goodies that flourish in Twitter. But, Plurk allows for a more conversational thread and some fun "storytelling," etc. Thanks for sharing your love of Twitter,I couldn't agree more. But aside from all the well-known names out there, like many of those mentioned above in your post. What I find most refreshing are the new voices and fringe voice from the periphery. It helps me to break away from dominant group think and makes that drink from the river even more life sustaining. I too, sought the assistance of MrTweet today after Peggy Sheehy highlighted it in FaceBook (which as a surprise to me I am using more than Twitter these days). So it is the richness and diversity that I live about my PLN in Twitter .. but I have to cultivate that diversity by looking not only at the core, but in the margins, and in complimentary and opposing disciplines as well. Variety is the spice of life as they say, and really does strengthen all. P.S. I am also really growing a lot of my PLN and professional development out of Second Life. I think that virtual worlds are the future (and the now) of PLNs and workplace/social productivity (please friend me inworld,I'm "Salty Saenz) Frank's Blog’s last blog post..21CT: MEETSEE’s New Embeddable Virtual Offices

By: Lisa Thumann

Lisa Thumann — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:36:03 +0000

Well said Dan.
You get what you give.
Don’t just lurk – participate.
Everyone has something to contribute.
I’m glad we network with each other.

Lisa

Lisa Thumann’s last blog post..What did you do at work today?

By: Topsy-Techie

Topsy-Techie — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:28:57 +0000

You have no idea how much better I am feeling about myself now that I am visualizing all my time Twittering as actually creating a personal learning network...God why didn't I think of that before???!!! Whew. Once again skirted the guilt. Topsy-Techie’s last blog post..Who ARE You? And Where Did You COME From?