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Mavens, Connectors, Salesman, Oh my!

Happy Sunday!

I am thankful to my growing PLN and have seen many examples of mavens, connectors, and salesmen.  In my newest learning network, Jaime Donally has been all three for me.  Not only have I been reading her e-book to participate in a "slow chat" but I have engaged in some of her live chats on Wednesday nights around AR/VR/MR resources.  She has a way of connecting with her audience and is persuasive in her mission to use technology in innovative ways.  Donally has clearly gathered a lot of information on this topic and is spreading the word using online tools (thank you Twitter, such an efficient way to hear the message!)  The infographic below explains how information can spread so quickly using Twitter and my new passion for using this resource to grow my PLN.


At St. Albans City School, I find myself playing the role of a maven and connector often.  This year I am not the literacy leader (I have been in the past) yet I find myself sharing my knowledge and expertise in ed-tech tools that can be used for differentiation.  I often share what I've tried out and if I think it's worth someone's time.  I show examples of what I've done and offered suggestions for implementation.  I have even been known to model a lesson using technology if someone is very hesitant.  I think my connections with colleagues and passion for the topic help me be a steward of ed-tech tools.

I think the area that I'd like to grow more of a connection would be blogging.  I have not subscribed to blogs for my PLN and know that there are many worthwhile authors to read.  Until my class this semester, I had not blogged for several years and was quite absent from the scene.  I do see the value in blogging, reading blogs, and searching for new strategies that I hadn't thought of or experienced before.  I plan to be more active in using blogs to enhance my PLN and to consider the roles of mavens, connectors, and salesmen when communicating with colleagues and beyond!

~Ashley


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