Professional Learning Networks - PLNs

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Exploring Professional Learning Networks

Professional Learning Networks, PLNs, are a great resource for educators! I was first introduced to them during a previous course I took at Dominican University. 

PLNs allow us to connect, engage, and learn from other educators not only in the United States, but from all over the world. Since joining Twitter, and participating in an #TwitterChat, I have been able to communicate with many other teachers. 

For me, PLNs affect me both socially and cognitively. They have helped me to reflect on my classroom teaching as well as gain a few new resources along the way. I love that I can learn from other educators by seeing what they are doing in their classrooms! 

Image Source: teacherthought.com

Trying Something New
Like I said before, I have already been using Twitter as one of my professional learning networks, but I felt like I was ready to try sometime new. One of the social media platforms I use on a daily basis is Facebook. I decided to see how I could use Facebook as a PLN by joining an educational group related to middle school math. I chose to join the group called "Middle School Math Teachers". 

Image Source: Personal Screenshot

As soon as I joined, I knew it was going to be a good group for me. There were so many educators talking about skills that I have worked on this year and currently. Right away I saw a post from another educator who was looking for support with exponent rules. This was a skill that we had just finished in my 8th grade math classroom. I shared with her what worked best for my students who are also diverse learners.

Image Source: Personal Screenshot

Image Source: Personal Screenshot


Being apart of this group also provided me with a game that I was able to use in my classroom to help my students review solving systems of equations by graphing before their next assessment. The administrator, provides Blookets he has created with the followers of this group. It is really nice to see that in this professional learning network, teachers are helping other teachers by sharing resources or with comments of what has worked well for them while teaching a certain skill. 

Image Source: Personal Screenshot

I am looking forward to being an active part of this professional learning community. I think I have things that I can share with these math educators that can impact some of the students in their classrooms. I know that I will also be able to gain some valuable resources for my class as well. 

Comments

  1. Genevie JakstavichMarch 25, 2022 at 3:04 PM

    Hi Katie,
    I really wish I would have thought about PLN's and the benefits they can provide teachers before taking this course. I would have liked to join a math group like you did. I teach science and we use a set curriculum that is new, and I could not find any PLN's on Twitter or Pinterest. I really don't want to go on Facebook, but it seems that there are a lot of groups on the platform. I taught an after school math tutoring program this year and could really have used some "tricks" to teach my 6th grade learners.

    ReplyDelete
  2. J.MezaMarch 27, 2022 at 7:13 AM

    Hi Katie,

    I am glad you have found PLNs extremely helpful for you. This year, I would like to join PLNs like creating a professional Twitter account and connecting with other great educators to share resources. It benefits everyone as a group! I feel this class is helping me get out of my comfort zone and start joining PLNs and explore new things.

    I really liked reading about how you help other educators and reflect on things that work well in your classroom. The power of reflecting and sharing help us grow as educators. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

    ReplyDelete
  3. NMZumpanoMarch 27, 2022 at 8:56 AM

    Thanks for introducing us to a great Facebook group! This is one of my favorite parts of social media- there are so many educators out there willing to share their work.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Nataliya ZelenetskaMarch 27, 2022 at 2:48 PM

    Hi Kate,

    I have the same experience as you do with social media PLN, Twitter, and Facebook. I also see these PLNs as a huge opportunity to connect with many educators. A while ago I joined a Facebook group that was relevant to what I do - "Advocating for ELLs". I also get so much information from educators throughout the United States on questions, that sometimes my co-teachers with greater experience than me could answer, just because they have never experienced it. But since the population of our district is constantly changing, the demands are changing too. So, these PLN groups come very handy, when you need a quick advice, which is usually backed up with great links or resources.

    ReplyDelete

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