Professional Learning Networks (PLNs)
A Few Thoughts on PLNs
Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) have been amazing in bolstering my enthusiasm for education and supporting me through my struggles and discouragements. Twitter has been where I have really expanded my network and made connections and shared ideas. Edweek (2014) provided three steps to build your PLN: find the professionals, find your niche groups, find your PLN buddies and mentors. I have been working on this for the last couple of years, but really grown within the past year. There are so many resources and groups available to connect with that it can be overwhelming. I think it's important to take it slow and build your network over time.
I follow many people and hashtags on Twitter and started participating in chats this year, which has allowed me to build more connections. Math Equals Love is a favorite for math ideas, https://twitter.com/mathequalslove. Sarah Carter has incredible ideas she shares on Twitter and on her blog: https://mathequalslove.blogspot.com/. I've used and adapted several of her ideas, which have been extremely helpful as I made the switch up to algebra this year. I also follow https://twitter.com/hashtag/MTBoS which is the math twitter blogosphere. Math teachers from all over share ideas. There are a variety of math chats you can participate in. I am trying to find the time to participate in more math chats. I also follow youcubed, which is led by Jo Boaler, the author of Mathematical Mindsets, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/YouCubedOrg and the website at https://www.youcubed.org . Ideas on this site and from the Twitter feed have changed my approach with my students. There are so many more people and groups that I follow, but this is a small sampling. Currently, I am more of a consumer than a contributer with these groups.
Our district has a PLN twitter feed which I actively participate in, https://twitter.com/hashtag/neisdpln. We have regular chats and share ideas across all grade levels from all over our district. It's been exciting learning what other teachers are doing and sharing happenings in my classroom. We discuss a wide variety of topics and I always feel like my bucket has been filled after each chat. These are the areas I am most active in currently in contributing. As I grow, I am learning to make more connections and gaining confidence to share my ideas.
For technology, I am a Nearpod certified trainer and am able to participate in that facebook group sharing ideas to promote best practices using Nearpod and technology in general. I also follow them on Twitter, https://twitter.com/nearpod, to stay up to date. The Tech Edvocate keeps me updated with the latest trends in technology with great articles. I receive their newsletter and follow them on Twitter, https://twitter.com/techedvocate and their website, http://www.thetechedvocate.org/. Google for Educators has a tremendous amount of information, https://edu.google.com/?modal_active=none. I receive their newsletter, visit their website often and follow them on Twitter.
I have grown leaps and bounds within the past couple of years in expanding my PLNs, but I still have a long ways to go. I have much more of a consumer than a contributor, especially right now with balancing work, grad school, and my family. I am excited to grow in this area and use my website and twitter to share my ideas and contribute as well as consume.
Reference
Crowley, B. (2014). 3 steps for building professional learning networks. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/12/31/3-steps-for-building-a-professional-learning.html.
I follow many people and hashtags on Twitter and started participating in chats this year, which has allowed me to build more connections. Math Equals Love is a favorite for math ideas, https://twitter.com/mathequalslove. Sarah Carter has incredible ideas she shares on Twitter and on her blog: https://mathequalslove.blogspot.com/. I've used and adapted several of her ideas, which have been extremely helpful as I made the switch up to algebra this year. I also follow https://twitter.com/hashtag/MTBoS which is the math twitter blogosphere. Math teachers from all over share ideas. There are a variety of math chats you can participate in. I am trying to find the time to participate in more math chats. I also follow youcubed, which is led by Jo Boaler, the author of Mathematical Mindsets, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/YouCubedOrg and the website at https://www.youcubed.org . Ideas on this site and from the Twitter feed have changed my approach with my students. There are so many more people and groups that I follow, but this is a small sampling. Currently, I am more of a consumer than a contributer with these groups.
Our district has a PLN twitter feed which I actively participate in, https://twitter.com/hashtag/neisdpln. We have regular chats and share ideas across all grade levels from all over our district. It's been exciting learning what other teachers are doing and sharing happenings in my classroom. We discuss a wide variety of topics and I always feel like my bucket has been filled after each chat. These are the areas I am most active in currently in contributing. As I grow, I am learning to make more connections and gaining confidence to share my ideas.
For technology, I am a Nearpod certified trainer and am able to participate in that facebook group sharing ideas to promote best practices using Nearpod and technology in general. I also follow them on Twitter, https://twitter.com/nearpod, to stay up to date. The Tech Edvocate keeps me updated with the latest trends in technology with great articles. I receive their newsletter and follow them on Twitter, https://twitter.com/techedvocate and their website, http://www.thetechedvocate.org/. Google for Educators has a tremendous amount of information, https://edu.google.com/?modal_active=none. I receive their newsletter, visit their website often and follow them on Twitter.
I have grown leaps and bounds within the past couple of years in expanding my PLNs, but I still have a long ways to go. I have much more of a consumer than a contributor, especially right now with balancing work, grad school, and my family. I am excited to grow in this area and use my website and twitter to share my ideas and contribute as well as consume.
Reference
Crowley, B. (2014). 3 steps for building professional learning networks. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/12/31/3-steps-for-building-a-professional-learning.html.