For the first time since receiving my MLS in 1980 I will not be actively employed this summer. Although I have been a 9 month calendar employee since January 2000 every previous summer I worked contract hours and participated in faculty exchange programs.

In August 2008 I moved to Palomar College from Mesa Community College of the Maricopa Community College District in Mesa AZ. Here at Palomar few Faculty members work extended contracts in the summer, many (perhaps even most) do not even teach classes during this time. So to fill up all this unexpected ‘leisure’ time I am designing a summer professional development project and establishing a personal learning network (PLN) to help me focus and document the summer’s journey.

Across most webspaces I use the username commlearn (Twitter, LibraryThing, Wikispaces, etc). In Second Life I’m ComeLearn Ghost. In some systems I’m mgforney (Gmail, Facebook, Windows Live, etc.) referencing my RL existence as Marlene G. Forney. (My Delicious ID is mgforney06, an exception, anomaly, whatever.)

Since 2003 my life journey has focused on investigating, exploring and sharing all forms and theories of communication that I can absorb. Along the way I have had to define myself for many of the social/shared spaces I inhabit. Most of my profiles list professional interests as Web2.0, ICT, SoTL and critical thinking. They sometimes mention that I’m a dancahoIic, movie buff, globally-minded and a believer.

For all the reasons above this summer I’m exploring:

• exciting tools (e.g. LectureTools, instructional games, BlackBoard),
• scary venues (Second Life, web coding, routine exercise) and
• personal phobias (dedicated professional reading, scholarly writing, 12 step honesty)

On May 22, 2009 I started my meanderings by participating in the WiAOC virtual conference. On Friday June 5th I continued my work by creating CLNitely on Wikispaces as a venue to track my activities. Today Thursday June 18th I sensibly decided to use my Edublog account to document summer 2009 at work/play. In doing so I resurrect the blog Meaningful Communication created in April 2007.

This About page is a manifesto in the spirit of Luther’s Disputation. It has just a few theses but to my heart the barriers (fear, time, discipline) I face in setting this course seem as impenetrable as the Papacy and Catholic Church of 1517.

In his 1933 inaugural speech Franklin Delano Roosevelt challenged the US people about the realities of the Great Depression with these words: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. Today they resonate for me as I openly acknowledge my fear, but declare that I do it anyway.

8_5_7_a_FDRFirstInaug_MSTR.mov

For further reference c.f. -

FETC Build a PLN UStream screencast presentation starts 11min into clip
Creating a PLN Network with Web2.0 Tools
PBS Teachers Webinar, June 2, 2009 – Elluminate recording requires Java plugin download   Summertime and Your Personal Learning Network

Welcome to Meaningful Communication. This blog is my space to come to nightly and reflect on my learning. In 2003 I had a professional metamorphosis when I realized that the heart of my work as a Librarian has focused on Communication (e.g. during a Reference Interview, via cataloging records, when teaching classes). Communicating effectively, accurately and impactfully is what I consider the essential skill for user centered Librarianship. With that in mind I switched to using this moniker for most of my online accounts. Across most webspaces I use the username commlearn (Twitter, LibraryThing, Wikispaces, etc). In Second Life I’m ComeLearn Ghost. In some systems I’m mgforney (Gmail, Facebook, Windows Live, etc.) referencing my RL existence as Marlene G. Forney. (My Delicious ID is mgforney06, an exception, anomaly, whatever.)

Since 2003 my journey focuses on investigating, exploring and sharing all forms and theories of communication that I can absorb. Along the way I have had to define myself for many of the social/shared spaces I inhabit. Most of my profiles list professional interests as Web2.0, ICT, SoTL and critical thinking. They sometimes mention that I’m a dancahoIic, movie buff, globally-minded and a believer.

For all the reasons above this summer I’m:

• exploring exciting tools (e.g. LectureTools, instructional games, BlackBoard),
• scary venues (Second Life, web coding, routine exercise) and
• personal phobias (dedicated professional reading, scholarly writing, 12 step honesty)

So having started with the WiAOC virtual conference on 5/22/09, today Friday 6/5/09 I continue by beginning CLNitely on Wikispaces.

This About page represents a manifesto in the spirit of Luther’s Disputation. It has just a few theses but to my heart the barriers (fear, time, discipline) I face in setting this course seem as impenetrable as the Papacy and Catholic Church of 1517.

In his 1933 inaugural speech Franklin Delano Roosevelt challenged the US people about the realities of the Great Depression with these words: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. Today they resonate for me as I openly acknowledge my fear, but declare that I do it anyway.