The NASA Educators Online Network (NEON) is an example of using Social Networking as a professional learning community. Interested educators create an account and then answer a set of questions, list their wants and needs from the community, etc. The site then connects you to folks with similar needs and interests. You get an image like the one below showing you in the middle and other related profiles closest to you.

The site describes itself as follows:

The purpose of NEON is to help K-12 teachers and STEM professionals:

• Find each other based on areas of expertise, interests, and needs
• Develop effective collaborations
• Learn from and support each other, and
• Find teaching, learning, and professional development resources.

Registration was quick and easy. This is very similar to a network that NSTA used (and abandoned recently). Hope to “meet” some of you on NEON soon.