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 * 2007 Illinois Online Conference**

=Tapping into Social Networks for Professional Growth= by Sharon Peters

Web 2.0 tools provide opportunities for educators to create __Online Social Networks__ that provide professional growth at their own pace and interest level outside the walls of the institution.

The Network is…. Not a website…….. Not a place ... The network is YOU!

Previously:

 * Teachers would attend workshops or conferences to meet f2f experts


 * If trying something “new”, teachers might have to troubleshoot themselves or rely on support of technicians

Now we have the ability to build our own networks for professional growth and development.

These networks:

 * are often self-organized __grassroots initiatives__ that have been created by educators
 * offer __best practice solutions__ for classroom and online teaching practices
 * Are sustained by those who desire to __make connections__ with others of the same interests and goals (often the experts)
 * Are made possible with __easy to use__ multi-platform tools

Why Social Networks for Professional Growth:

 * Teaching is a high burnout profession
 * Schools and educational institutions cannot keep up with the training of new software or online tools
 * Efficient use of time and cost
 * Ultimately, learning gains for students

Benefits of Online Social Networks
Online social networks have recently experienced exponential growth as they provide free or low-cost anytime anywhere opportunities for:


 * Peer support and encouragement
 * Collaboration, Communication and Training for both novices and advanced users of Internet tools.
 * Mentoring Opportunities
 * Resource-sharing

[|Survey] for Online Social Networking Practices for Educators

[|Results] from Survey so far