Diigo

I will admit that when it comes to technology, I tend to go by the “less is more” philosophy.  Though I’ve always felt comfortable using current technologies, I have never been someone to count down the days until the latest gadget debuted, create online accounts for everything, or download tons of apps onto my iPhone.  When it comes to technology, sometimes I feel like the more of it you have, the more work it is to maintain.  This is one of the main reasons that I was never a huge bookmark user.

What is Diigo?

For my grad class, we recently learned about social bookmarking.  Social bookmarking tools allow users to organize, share, manage, and search for resources online.  One major thing that separates social bookmarking from traditional bookmarking is that bookmarks saved through social bookmarking websites are available anywhere, whereas traditional bookmarks are only saved on one computer.  Also, users have the ability to join groups, allowing people with similar interests share and collaborate with others.  Diigo is one of many social bookmarking tools.

How could I use it as a teacher?

This past weekend, I signed up for a Diigo account and did my first bookmarking.  In addition to marking websites of interest, I was also able to annotate the sites, highlight important text, and mark sections of text with sticky notes.  For a first time user, I think this tool was pretty easy to use, and I can already see a lot of potential for use in the K-12 classroom.  One of the main ways I could see myself using this tool is for my own personal lesson planning and professional development.  I already use Pinterest as a way to get ideas and find resources for my lessons, but I sometimes find that I forget why I marked a website or I can’t find the particular area of the website that I wanted.  Diigo will allow me to highlight important information and make notes on how it could be used.  It also would allow me to save websites that I use often so that during my teaching, I don’t have to waste time typing in websites.

As a teacher, I find that I learn a lot through collaboration with colleagues.  I love talking through teaching ideas and planning with colleagues, and think that Diigo would make our sharing more efficient.  In addition to sharing with grade level colleagues, Diigo would be an efficient way to share resources at the school or district level.  Of course, social bookmarking is another tool with which to develop your PLN and share with peers anywhere in the world.

How could I use this with students?

While teaching third and fourth grade, I used a reader’s workshop model when teaching reading strategies.  Diigo would allow me to model reading strategies using a digital platform and allow students the chance to respond through the use of sticky notes similar to what I do during reader's workshop.  It would also give me access to a wider variety of materials that fit my students’ needs.

Another way that I might use this tool in the classroom is during research projects.  Diigo can assist with teaching many important research and literacy skills such as finding the main idea, highlighting important information, taking notes, determining the quality of resources, etc.  Students would have the opportunity to view other’s resources on a given topic and collaborate with peers.  It is also available at all times through the web and is free, so as long as students have access to the Internet, there is no need to worry about being able to find books about a specific topic.

Finally, this tool could also be used to have students demonstrate their thinking across subject areas through posting their thoughts on a sticky or to share helpful resources with parents.  For more information, check out these links…

Diigo- A Classroom Friend – describes a few ways that Diigo can be used in the classroom.

A Lesson in Social Bookmarking- a real life example of how two elementary teachers used Diigo for Social Studies research projects.

Student Learning with Diigo- includes a collection of resources and lesson plans related to Diigo.

12 Reasons Teachers Should Use Diigo

What's a PLN & Why Should I Have One?

Before beginning graduate classes this fall, I honestly had never heard of a PLN.  This week, I read an article called “Pleased to Tweet You” by Kate Messner, an author and teacher.  According to her article, a PLN is “a group of like-minded professionals with whom you can exchange ideas, advice, and resources.”  To me, a PLN is the use of social networking tools to connect with peers and colleagues in order to support and enhance an individual’s life-long learning.  This can be achieved through various technology platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Skype, to name a few.  

The biggest thing that makes PLNs so valuable is the P- it’s personal.  Each person can use a PLN to set goals, discover new resources, and connect with knowledgeable peers in their area of interest.  Also, with the variety of online networking tools, people have the ability to choose tools that match their goals, and personal preferences.  One great point made by Eric Patnoudes in this article “Why (and How) You Should Create a Personal Learning Network,” was that PLNs are “two-way streets.”  In other words, it’s important for educators to not only just “listen in” to PLNs, but to also participate.  As educators, we know how important active engagement is to learning, and being part of a PLN means offering your own contributions.  Another reason why PLNs may be so important is that they are an inexpensive way for educators to participate in professional development.

As someone who just learned about PLNs recently, I am still in the stages of exploring and learning about how I can use these tools.  However, the more I read about PLNs, the more I realize that I actually do use some already.  For example, I use Pinterest when looking for ideas for different units of study, and also visit education-related blogs.  In the past few months I have created my own blog and have learned how to use Twitter.  However, I will admit that with the majority of my networking tools, I am more of a “listener” than a participant. 

Therefore, the way that I personally would use PLNs in the classroom right now would be to first establish my own.  That way, I can not only grow as a professional, but also become more knowledgeable for when I help my students create their own PLNs.  By becoming more aware of the tools available and beginning to try using them on my own, I am starting to think of ways that I might personally use them in the classroom.  For example, this week during a language arts lesson I thought "We could Tweet that!"  Also, I need to become more of an active participant in some of my social networking connections.  These will be important steps for me in order to be an effective model and teacher when discussing social networking and PLNs with my students.

For more info, check out…

PLN Pinterest Board- This Pinterest board includes resources for starting your own PLN, and utilizing individual social networking sites as part of a PLN.

The Educator’s PLN- This website helps educators develop their own PLNs.