I am happily paddling, running in and out with the discussion waves, splashing a bit in the groups, occasionally sticking my head under and blowing a few small blogging bubbles. Feeling I can’t yet go too long with out taking a breath to edit and definitely still need my Google goggles, although am learning to keep my eyes open for new ideas and applications. I’m still, perhaps irrationally, scared of sharks and so sticking close to the shore. Perfectly happy to watch and learn from those who can swim competently. Enjoying my day at the beach.

International Cohort Member- Amanda Ritter, Melbourne, Australia

For many educators sharing and posting in a situated community of practice is awkward and risky business. It is a process of slowly building trust and taking small steps while trying to find their online voice. It takes time before many of the team members in PLP feel like their input is going to contribute much to the discussion. Amanda describes it as not wanting to get in over her head but looking towards relinquishing her “Ning floatie ring” and “swimming on her own into open water while building her cyber confidence.”

Part of the mission of PLP is to help participants build their cyber confidence while at the same time starting to build their personal and professional learning networks. One way we do that is by bringing in Expert Voices. The idea behind “Expert Voices” is twofold. First, it’s to bring into the PLP communities folks knowledgeable about both the tools and the pedagogy, and have them help PLP members explore various topics related to teaching and learning in the 21st century. Second, it’s a way to help PLPers slowly expand their learning networks by giving them some thoughtful folks to learn from and to follow.

It is with great pleasure that Powerful Learning Practice welcomes this year’s Expert Voices.

International Cohort
Graham Wegner – Building a Personal Learning Network
Ben Hazzard – Classrooms as Communities
John Evans – Podcasting Purpose
Chris Harbeck – Classroom Blogging
Alanah King – Collaborative Tools

Independent Cohort
Kim Harrison – virtual worlds, particularly Second Life
John Hendron – blogs and other read/write tools in education
Chris O’Neal – developing technology leaders, particularly school administrators
Meg Swecker – Voice Thread as well as other collaborative tools such as wikis
Paula White – Web 2.0 tools in the classroom

Illinois/Ohio Cohort
Kathy Cassidy – on Blogging
Alec Couros – on Building a PLN
Brian Crosby – on Collaborative Tools
John Evans – on Podcasting
Jo McCleay – on Social Networking

ADVIS Cohort
Kim Cofino – Collaborative Projects with Multiple Schools
Ben Wilkoff – Blogging (with RSS and Social Bookmarking thrown in)
Scott McLeod – Disruptive Innovation: What School Leaders Should Be Doing Now in Their Schools and Classrooms
Kristin Hokanson – My Digital Responsibility in a Global World
Wes Fryer – Wikis and Digital Storytelling

Archdiocese of Philadelphia Cohort
Barbara Barreda – Leadership and Change
Bill Kist – Wikis and Digital Storytelling
Susan Sedro – Technology Integration
Sara Kajder – New Literacies
Jo McLeay – Social Networking

New Jersey State Cohort
Michelle Bourgeois - Collaborative Learning
Scott Elias – Balancing Your Real and Virtual Lives
Dean Shareski - Lesson 1- Share
Brian C. Smith – Educator as Learner
Adina Sullivan – Audio and Visuals to Support Learning for All

PEARLS NYC Cohort
Tom Barrett- Publishing Tools
Graham Wegner- Blogging
Lee Kolbert- Social Networks
Darren Draper- Dimensions of Change
Jeff Utecht- PLN