3 Steps for Building a Professional Learning Network - Education Week Teacher. Published Online: December 31, 2014 —Photo by Sean Chaffey, via Flickr Creative Commons By Brianna Crowley Recently, a colleague asked me, “What is a PLN?”
She was taking a graduate course on technology implementation and was required to form a “PLN” using digital communities and tools. But after signing up for various wikis, Nings, and virtual professional groups, she was overwhelmed: “Do I have to actually log in and check all of these things on a regular basis?! Her question prompted me to articulate how I define a professional learning network (PLN) and how I have shaped my own. A professional learning network is a vibrant, ever-changing group of connections to which teachers go to both share and learn. Teachers build PLNs the same way they build any network: by investing time to find and connect with people they trust, who have shared interests and passions. Although technology is often the vehicle to build connections, a PLN is about relationships.
Step One: Find the Professionals. 5 Digital Forums to Transform Professional Learning for Educators. Are you ready to connect your professional learning to the modern era?
Which venue of digital connection is right for you? If you are a teacher in need of support, a leader looking to transform professional engagement at your school, or just looking to refresh and enhance your PD options, it may be time to look at a new digital forum to add to your repertoire of personal or organizational PD options. Look below to see our list of the top five choices. 1. Blogging—Old Faithful! Exemplary models Silvia Tolisano (@langwitches) for visual storytellingBo Adam’s Blog (@BoAdams1) for contemporary thought leadership Tips for success Speak from the heartBe clear but don’t overthink itReinforce your true values and brandAmplify knowledgeContribute to open information Try It!
2. Exemplary models: #dk12chat#digcit#satchat#BFC530#AfricaEd#makered#blendedlearning. 7 steps to creating PLCs teachers want to use. Social Media Management Platform. Communities of Practice Explained. Feedback Instead of Grades. Globally Informed: Volume 2, Issue 2 - Globally Informed. How to Create a Robust and Meaningful Personal Learning Network [PLN] This post describes how educators can develop a personal learning network that supports meaningful and relevant learning. The MOOC, Education Technology & Media, etmooc, is used here as a working example of how to develop a PLN.
“My Personal Learning Network is the key to keeping me up-to-date with all the changes that are happening in education and how technology can best support and engage today’s students.” Brian Metcalfe: teacher, blogger at lifelonglearners.com I wrote a post recently about how to develop a personal learning environment [PLE], the need and benefits of doing so, for educators in particular.
Mark Wagner I often begin my workshop on personal learning networks (PLN) for educators by asking these questions: Who is in your learning network? Who do you learn from on a regular basis? Who do you turn to for your own professional development? Some educators are lucky enough to learn from their coworkers or colleagues at their site. I usually ask these questions at conferences, which are frequently only annual events – and rare treats for many educators. Principal, Education and Professional Development. PLN Explained By Will Richardson. What is a Personal Learning Network? Step 1: What is a PLN? Welcome to our professional learning series on building a PLN.
This series guides you step by step through the process of setting up your own PLN. The aim of this first step is to: Explain what is a PLN.Help you understand why educators create their own PLN. The following information on PLN was co-written by Michael Graffin, a relief/substitute teacher and blogger from Western Australia. You can check out Michael’s original “What the heck is a PLN” post here. What is a PLN? The word “PLN” stands for “Personal Learning Network”, and it has its origins in connectivism theory (Siemens, G. & Downes, S., 2005). Why you should begin your own PLN —Ashley Azzopardi (@ashleyazzopardi) Let’s take this a little further… The Personal: Having a PLN is about making connections and building personal relationships with teachers, school administrators, university professors, and experts around the world. Www.treasuretrovegafe.com. I refer to this training series as 'Treasure Trove' featuring Google for Education, focusing on authentic and valuable ways to use the Google Tools.
This training is hosted at individual schools, organizations, conferences, and Google Summits & Cloud Camps' worldwide. These lessons keep the beginner in mind while providing those ready to ‘level’ up with unique uses and tips for using Google apps in the classroom, organization, for productivity or collaboration. Topics in the Treasure Trove Series....