Brianna Crowley defines a Professional Learning Network as “a vibrant, ever-changing group of connections to which teachers go to both share and learn.” (2016) Prior to taking my first graduate course in the Digital Learning and Leading program, I was involved with two of the PLNs listed, but I did not realize that is what they were. I will admit that I have not been a very involved member of my PLNs, I do a lot more learning than sharing. The Facebook group for AVID teachers is the one that I use the most as I am the only AVID elective teacher on my campus and this connects me to AVID elective teachers all over the nation. I go to this group to see examples (in picture or video format) of team building activities other teachers are using and occasionally ask questions when I face difficulty finding resources on my own. Slowly but surely, I have begun to share my ideas along with examples of student projects and have gotten great feedback from the other members of the group. The technology department in my district has a twitter account and they host twitter chats a few times per semester. I participated once did not return because I was frustrated with the twitter app; I will admit my fixed mindset took over and instead of viewing the hashtags/handles/retweets as a challenge I could grow from, I gave up. Since then, I have had more practice with Twitter and I am now looking forward to the next session so that I can participate once again. I recently discovered the Teaching Channel and I am very intrigued by it because it offers video sources and gives teachers a space for Q&A over any topics. For now, I have mostly been watching the videos other teachers have uploaded and reading through the Q&A pages.
At this point I am mostly learning from my professional learning networks by consuming ideas. I tend to read through some of the questions and responses posted on these different PLN websites, but do not contribute as much as I could. I often feel intimidated by the experience and amazing accomplishments of others, but if there is one thing I have learned through the discussion posts and the Adobe Connect sessions from my cohort in the Digital Learning and Leading Master’s Program is that we are all human and have room for growth in different areas. As Arne Duncan wrote, “the ultimate measure of success is becoming less about what we know, but more about what we do with what we know, and learning new skills to fit a rapidly changing world.” (2015) My DLL program has definitely pushed me to be more open to sharing, and has motivated me to start contributing to my other PLNs as well. It is time for me to start taking what I have learned from my PLNs and putting it into action. It is especially important for me to take a more active role in my PLNs as I am the only person on my campus teaching AVID.
I encourage all teachers (and all other professionals) to join a Professional Learning Network that is relevant to their field. Once you have become well acquainted with your PLN, I suggest you expand your horizons by joining another. It is beneficial to have access to an abundance of ideas from various places. We are lucky to live in a world where technology allows us to connect with people all over the world in a matter of seconds. Rather than all of us starting everything from scratch and reinventing the wheel per say, we can simply expand on each other’s ideas and create really amazing things. As with most things, you only get out of a PLN what you put into it. If all you do is make an account, but never read nor contribute anything on there then it will not prove to be very beneficial to you. Perhaps start by consuming ideas then slowly build yourself up to sharing your own ideas and resources.
Professional Learning Networks Discussed
AVID Teachers
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329388610482288
Membership: free along with your Facebook account. Anybody can request to join, you just have to be confirmed by another member.
Members: AVID elective teachers in the U.S.
PISD Tech Chat
Website: https://twitter.com/hashtag/pisdtechchat?src=hash
Membership: free along with your Twitter account. Use #PISDtechchat to participate in discussion. Follow @PISDTechnology for updates.
Members: Teachers in Pasadena ISD that are interested in technology.
Teaching Channel
Website: https://www.teachingchannel.org/?national=1
Membership: free. You just have to create an account; you may subscribe to weekly e-mails.
Members: Teachers (any grade/content) from all over the world.
At this point I am mostly learning from my professional learning networks by consuming ideas. I tend to read through some of the questions and responses posted on these different PLN websites, but do not contribute as much as I could. I often feel intimidated by the experience and amazing accomplishments of others, but if there is one thing I have learned through the discussion posts and the Adobe Connect sessions from my cohort in the Digital Learning and Leading Master’s Program is that we are all human and have room for growth in different areas. As Arne Duncan wrote, “the ultimate measure of success is becoming less about what we know, but more about what we do with what we know, and learning new skills to fit a rapidly changing world.” (2015) My DLL program has definitely pushed me to be more open to sharing, and has motivated me to start contributing to my other PLNs as well. It is time for me to start taking what I have learned from my PLNs and putting it into action. It is especially important for me to take a more active role in my PLNs as I am the only person on my campus teaching AVID.
I encourage all teachers (and all other professionals) to join a Professional Learning Network that is relevant to their field. Once you have become well acquainted with your PLN, I suggest you expand your horizons by joining another. It is beneficial to have access to an abundance of ideas from various places. We are lucky to live in a world where technology allows us to connect with people all over the world in a matter of seconds. Rather than all of us starting everything from scratch and reinventing the wheel per say, we can simply expand on each other’s ideas and create really amazing things. As with most things, you only get out of a PLN what you put into it. If all you do is make an account, but never read nor contribute anything on there then it will not prove to be very beneficial to you. Perhaps start by consuming ideas then slowly build yourself up to sharing your own ideas and resources.
Professional Learning Networks Discussed
AVID Teachers
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/329388610482288
Membership: free along with your Facebook account. Anybody can request to join, you just have to be confirmed by another member.
Members: AVID elective teachers in the U.S.
PISD Tech Chat
Website: https://twitter.com/hashtag/pisdtechchat?src=hash
Membership: free along with your Twitter account. Use #PISDtechchat to participate in discussion. Follow @PISDTechnology for updates.
Members: Teachers in Pasadena ISD that are interested in technology.
Teaching Channel
Website: https://www.teachingchannel.org/?national=1
Membership: free. You just have to create an account; you may subscribe to weekly e-mails.
Members: Teachers (any grade/content) from all over the world.
Sources:
Crowley, B. (2016, April 29). 3 Steps for Building a Professional Learning Network. Retrieved May 02, 2017, from http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/12/31/3-steps-for-building-a-professional-learning.html
Duncan, A. (2015, April 20). What Can Technology Do for Tomorrow's Children? – Bright. Retrieved May 01, 2017, from https://brightreads.com/what-can-technology-do-for-tomorrow-s-children-3357831990c7