CGD Update

Registering for some CGD

I just updated the CGD page on my blog. I know I left lots out eg the blog and Facebook posts I read each day and the small video clips I view on Youtube and other sites.

What is CGD you may well ask?

I am pasting below the text of my blog post from 2011 in which I described this activity.

CGD - It's not a disease

I recently posted my plans and rationale for keeping a Learning Log for Genealogy. This is a record of those learning opportunities that I have taken. 

Shortly after this I read DearMyrtle's post Education Plans in which she reported on her plans for the coming months. This is an assignment for the ProGen12 Study Group of which she is a member. She has listed her plans under the headings Area of  Focus, Activity, Time Frame and Cost..

Myrt asked "What are your plans to hone genealogy research skills? " which set me to thinking if  I should have a more formal plan for learning.  I have been pondering this for a few days and have decided that, as I am an amateur genealogist, I do not need a formal education plan.

So for my CGD, Continuing Genealogical Development, I plan to look out for educational opportunities that cater for deficiencies in my knowledge (not hard to find) or pique my interest. I undertake learning via a range of delivery methods: face-to-face, online via webinars or podcasts, radio broadcasts,  various print media and by trial and error.  I will endeavour to take part in at least one learning activity per week and will continue to document these in my Learning Log.

I will seek out potential learning opportunities by reading blogs, accessing the geneawebinars blog, following the calendar of SAG,  reading about events at Unlock the Past, perusing mailing lists and keeping my eyes and ears open.

I am sure that I will find plenty to keep myself amused. 

How about you? 

Who and What is in your PLN?

A personal learning network  is an informal learning network that consists of the people a learner interacts with and derives knowledge from in a personal learning environment. In a PLN, a person makes a connection with another person with the specific intent that some type of learning will occur because of that connection. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_learning_network)

PLNs are commonly referred to in the education and library circles I inhabit but I have not heard my genealogy friends discuss who and what are in their PLNs. 

In the 20th Century our PLNs probably consisted of those people we met at meetings, chatted up in libraries and encountered on bulletin boards plus the authors of the journals and books we read. In the 21st Century the internet and the emergence of social networks have enabled us to broaden the number of people with whom we share information and resources. We can connect with like-minded people all over the world.

I still learn from fellow members of my Societies and those whose lectures I attend at home and at conferences but my network now crosses borders and my communication is both synchronous and asynchronous.

My Personal Learning Network is an important element of my Lifelong Learning.

Who and What is in my PLN?

I just had a quick personal brainstorm and came up with this Wordle. I'll probably think of more things to add tomorrow but this is a good starting point.

Do you have a PLN? Have you given consideration to who and what is in your PLN?