Module 3: Professional Learning Networks and Educational Growth
- Aleyna (Mannerberg) Storms
- Apr 23, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: May 1, 2024
Social Media has caused divisions and debates on how social it can really be.
The use of Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) puts the social back into social media.
The ability to globally connect to others within a given profession has given professionals a way to grow their craft and develop further understanding of the work and content that they are providing. By nature, humans are communicative beings that work and learn best through collaboration with others. Through the use of PLNs, educators are now able to use Web 2.0 tools to reach from outside of their departments, schools, and districts and connect to others beyond their township, state, or country.
"Connections foster learning, collaboration, the dissemination of content, and career satisfaction" (Haas et al., 2020).
Personally, I teach Computer Science and Mathematics. Although there are many math teachers within the two schools that I teach in, I can feel rather isolated within the field of Computer Science, as I am the only one to teach it within my district. This is where PLNs have been successful in helping feel connected to the content and Material. Below, you will find a chart of the resources that I currently use to advance within my field. These PLNs have been resourceful within the use of my classroom, even if it is used in a minimal way as an educator. You will see within the chart the participation that I currently use within these resources.
There are many additional resources that I have discovered and plan on using within my classroom. These listed resources are PLNs that I look forward to implementing in my own Professional Development and grow as a learner through them.
LinkedIn is a social media platform that, once thought of for resumes and job recruitment, as developed into further networking. LinkedIn allows for groups to be joined to spread content and information to those who identify as similar professionals as you. I will also begin sharing these blogs on LinkedIn, as well.
Code.org has a forum for educators of code.org curricula that can connect with others who are teaching the same content and topics. This not only helps with finding solutions to problems you are facing at the moment but allows for further understanding, as well as connections to be made with other educators and code.org staff.
Stack Exchange has many different Forums to join, including a Computer Science Educator. These forums and posts go beyond what code.org has to offer, as this is for Computer Science as a whole. Educators can use the Stack Exchange for topics on course development, error analysis, and connection building.
Don't let the Computer Science references scare you away. These are just resources that are scaffolded to my own classroom. Although code.org is meant for Computer Science Education, there are many different resources within code.org to connect with educators trying to implement technology within their classrooms. Stack Exchange is meant for coders, but, through the search feature, many different topics can be provided and educators can discover how technology is being used within those fields.
Remember, many Web 2.0 resources are meant to be in forms of informal microlearning, like this blog. Learning through PLNs can be considered "vivid, emotional, unexpected, and idiosyncratic... real, often social and essentially engaging" (Kennedy, 2018, p. 22, para. 2). It takes time to discover the Professional Learning Networks that work for you. For some advice, give a PLN some time. You will not know right away if a social media or forum is best for you. It takes time to develop an understanding of what to expect. Also, if you find a connection to a forum, YouTube Channel, or blog (like this one), subscribe to them. They typically will post frequently, which leads to constant learning. It also never hurts to reach out to build the connections to the content developers or those who are interacting with the Professional Learning Network.
References
code.org. (2013). Code.org. https://www.code.org.
Computer Science Educators Stack Exchange. (n.d.). Computer Science Educators Stack
Exchange. https://cseducators.stackexchange.com.
CSTA New Jersey. (2021). Csteachers.org. https://newjersey.csteachers.org/
Haas, M. R., Haley, K., Nagappan, B. S., Ankel, F., Swaminathan, A., & Santen, S. A.
(2020). The connected educator: personal learning networks. The Clinical Teacher,
17(4), 373–377. https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13146.
Kennedy, J. (2018). Towards a Model of Connectedness in Personal Learning Networks.
Journal of Interactive Online Learning Www.ncolr.org/Jiol, 16(1), 21–41.
LinkedIn. (2002). LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com.
TED: Ideas worth spreading. (2019). Ted.com; TED Talks. https://www.ted.com.
Twitter. (2022). Twitter.com. https://twitter.com.
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