PLN EDU790
Professional Learning Networks
What is a PLN? A PLN is a professional Learning Network. PLN's can consist of people, groups, communities, or systems. PLN's can change over time as well as one's involvement within a PLN. PLN's are any group that engages in collaborative learning with others outside their everyday learning community (Brown & Poortman, 2018). The ultimate goal of a PLN is to benefit children.
My PLNs? When taking a look at my professional life, I find that I belong to many PLNs. My current and past colleagues, my past networks from different colleges that I've attended, the wrestling community, and networks I've made online. When I gauge where I find myself on the spectrum of the Seven Degrees of Connectedness Infographic provided by Rod Lucifer, engagement within those professional communities differ. I mostly find that I am at Stage 7 Confidant in PLNs that are in person, however when I look at my engagement of PLNs online I evaluate myself more at Stage 2 Novice. I would say this is due to my views on social media and my lack of interest of being connected to the web. I do see the benefit from PLNs and commit to being more connected to online learning communities. Torry Trust explains that PLNs support teachers in four ways: social, cognitive, affective, and identity. When engaging in my PLNs I find that I identify more with cognitive support. I often search the web and different learning communities for teaching strategies, tools, and resources to use within my classroom.
My New PLN Typically I use my Facebook account for personal reasons. This week I explored Facebook for some teacher orientated learning communities. I found the group Edutopia, I enjoyed searching through Edutopia. I found two articles that caught my attention: 4 Advantages of Digital Discussions in the Classroom and 4 Steps to Discussing Challenging Behavior With a Student. I found both articles educational and beneficial to my teaching practices.
4 Advantages of Digital Discussion in the Classroom This article brought attention to the benefits of using platforms such as Blackboard, Padlet, Google Classroom, and Wakelet to engage students in classroom discussion. I believe that engaging students in discussion about what they are learning helps with retention and motivation. If a student can talk about what they are learning then they are truly learning and not just regurgitating what was presented to them. This article gives the following as the advantages to using digital discussion:
- Discussion boards are interactive and future-forward
- Discussion boards foster student-led learning
- Discussion boards don't have to be graded
- Discussion boards act as a digital portfolio
Hello Joseph,
ReplyDeleteIt was great learning more about your Professional Learning Network! As we continue to grow and evolve within our professions and respective personal lives, it amazes me how many connections that we develop over time. Putting this information into a visual sense magnifies just how many different outlets in which connections are built.
It was interesting to learn about the ways in which you have built professional learning networks within your classroom. More specifically, how you have integrated digital community for your students. That is a pathway that I didn't even consider. Given the evolution of learning management systems and technology services that occurred during COVID, it is amazing how swiftly even our students professional learning networks have expanded! Due to the expansion of 1:1 device initiatives throughout school districts across the United States; and, given the growth of Learning Management Systems, there are numerous ways in which we can provide our future leaders with methodologies to collaborate and grow within their learning.
In closing, I love your quote of "connect before you correct." I, too, come from the therapeutic environment, and this is a motto I live by. Developing and sustaining exceptional connections and building a shared rapport within our student learning networks is paramount to whole child growth and achievement.
I enjoyed reading your post. Exceptional work!
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Ryan Whitcomb
These are great resources. I know Facebook has faced a lot of criticism (rightly so) in the past few years but during the pandemic closures I found some educational Facebook groups to be extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing with us a group that impacted you.
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