Welcome to our professional learning series on building a PLN.
This self-paced free course guides you step-by-step through the process of setting up your own PLN.
We have an optional PDF workbook that will help to keep you on track and focused as you work through the 7 steps of this course. Scroll down and click on the ‘download’ button under the document to save it to your computer.
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Open in new tab The aim of this first step is to:
- Unpack the definition of a PLN and “connected educator”
- Help you understand why educators create their own PLNs and how they use them
What Is A PLN?
Back in 1998 when the internet was in its infancy, Daniel R. Tobin wrote an article about the term “Personal Learning Network” which was abbreviated to PLN. This term was used to describe a network of people and resources that support ongoing learning.
Whether or not Tobin actually coined the term PLN is up for debate. As Clint Lalonde has pointed out, others, such as Dori Digenti, also wrote about the term in the late 90s.
Digeni said,
The PLN consists of relationships between individuals where the goal is enhancement of mutual learning. The currency of the PLN is learning in the form of feedback, insights, documentation, new contacts, or new business opportunities. It is based on reciprocity and a level of trust that each party is actively seeking value-added information for the other.
The term has evolved and is now sometimes referred to as a Professional Learning Network — taking into account that fact that most “connected educators” use their PLN for professional growth and interaction.
As Tom Whitby has pointed out, there can even be a hybrid of the personal or professional learning network — the Personalized Learning Network.
…the shift in nuance maintains that participants are both personal and professional learners. A PLN is a tool that uses social media and technology to collect, communicate, collaborate and create with connected colleagues anywhere at any time. Participating educators, worldwide, make requests and share resources.
Are PLNs Exclusive To Education?
PLNs don’t just exist in the education world. They are important in all aspects of the business world, various vocations, and hobbies.
We contacted Daniel R. Tobin to ask him about how he came up with the term Personal Learning Network. We wanted to find out if he coined the term in relation to a particular industry or field.
Daniel told us,
It came from my own experience.
As I was thinking about how I had learned to do the various jobs I had over the course of my career, I realized that I had built an extensive network of people who had helped me learn. These included managers and colleagues and people I had met while doing research for my books, speaking at conferences, attending workshops, etc.
As I started writing about corporate training and development, I realized that what I had learned from my PLN was greater and more important than what I had learned from my formal education.
Interestingly, many teachers who are active online have remarked that they’ve learned a great deal more from their PLN than from any professional development session they’ve attended.
Are PLNs Something New?
All teachers know successful teaching and learning does not occur in a vacuum. Teachers have always relied on others for guidance, ideas, inspiration, support, and new perspectives. Naturally, some teachers are more active in their interactions than others.
Traditionally, all this interaction might take place in one school community. Teachers might have rarely connected with educators from other locations — apart from an occasional conference or professional development opportunity.
Technology changed all this.
Like in many other industries, educators now have access to people from all corners of the globe 24/7. This may largely be through social media but other platforms as well, such as blogs, online communities, and news sites.
So many barriers have been removed — geography, culture, language, timezones, travel, costs, logistics.
Embracing new networks and building a PLN doesn’t mean throwing out your old connections. Of course, it will always be valuable to talk to the teachers next door and down the hall. But imagine the possibilities of building on that network in diverse ways!
Video: What is A PLN?
Want to learn more about what is a PLN? This is Marc-André Lalande’s take on the matter in less than two minutes.
Being A Connected Educator
A connected educator is someone who collaborates online and uses a range of tools to build their own PLN.
Watch the following five minute video to learn more about being a connected educator. It shows interviews with educators who explain the importance of being “connected” in order to be effective teachers and leaders.
Why Create A PLN?
There are many reasons why all teachers should develop a PLN.
Here are eight benefits of having a PLN:
- You are in charge of your own professional development. PD is no longer something that you have to “sit and get”.
- You can explore your own interests, needs, and passions (or your students’). You might have a student who is struggling with reading, or you might have heard of makerspaces and decide you want to learn more about that, maybe you have a student who wants to research global warming, or perhaps you want to find a better system for running a sports day at your school. You can turn to your PLN for advice and support with all these sorts of things.
- 24/7 learning offers the flexibility to learn and connect at a time that suits you. You don’t have to wait for a PD or conference. And 24/7 learning certainly doesn’t mean you have to be constantly online either — you decide how much time you want to invest and when.
- You can learn and connect in a way that you enjoy. This might be via videos, podcasts, text, social media, Skype, blogging … the list goes on.
- There can be light and shade to your PLN. You can engage in a general chat about education (or anything) to debrief, laugh, or unwind. Or, you can engage in deep discussion, debate, and reflection that can really challenge and transform your thinking and teaching. The choice is yours and there will probably be a time and place for both.
- You can stay current on research and best practice, regardless of whether this information is being discussed in your own school, district (or even country!).
- A PLN allows for broad brainstorming or fine tuning. You might know very little about a certain topic and ask your PLN for any/all entry points into exploring the concept. At the other end of the spectrum, you may have already done a lot of work on a topic and use your PLN to fine tune your ideas and resources.
- Globally connected students need globally connected teachers. Having your own PLN is a key way to also help your students connect with others and start developing their own networks. We know this is important to enrich student learning and help students thrive in the changing labor market.
Feel free to use the following graphic on your blog or share it with your colleagues.
Four Big Ideas Around The Connected Educator
Silvia Tolisana (aka Langwitches) has written about four big ideas that surface when thinking about connected educators.
I think about the isolation of a teacher within their classroom walls and how connectedness to a global network of experts and peers could expose and add multiple perspectives to their world view and professional practice.
I am amazed every time by the transformative nature of teaching and learning, when harnessing the power of a network to crowdsource authentic data, resources, connections and collaborators.
Last, but not least, the idea of being able to model for our students what connected learning in an interconnected world means is a moral imperative for educators who are charged to prepare our kids for their future.
You can unpack these concepts further by reading Silvia’s post.
Building Your Own PLN
The great thing about a PLN is that it’s personal!
You make all the choices:
- What tools you use!
- Who you connect with!
- How you want to learn!
- When you want to learn!
The idea of this series is to guide you through the process of building your own PLN and give you a taste of the opportunities that are out there.
Remember, we each have our own preference of what online tools work best for us.
Throughout the seven part series, we’ve included popular tools for building a PLN to help get you started.
Conclusion
A PLN is a network of people and resources that support ongoing learning.
We believe all teachers could benefit from having a PLN.
You might be in a fantastic school but in some ways, schools can become echo chambers for the same beliefs and viewpoints. It can be easy to go with the status quo and fail to really question things or bring in new ideas. A simple conversation with someone from a very different community can be so eye opening.
Your Task
PLNs are all about sharing, collaborating, and learning from each other. So here’s your chance to ask a question, comment, and get involved!
We’d like you to add your voice and ideas to our ongoing conversation about PLNs by undertaking one or more of these challenges:
- PLN Definition: Watch the video What Is A PLN? Leave a comment on this post to explain what a PLN means to you. You might like to share your thoughts on “lurking”. What are the pros and cons of this approach? Or, you might like to explain what you think PLN stands for — personal, professional, personalized … or something else?
- PLN Benefits: Choose one or more of the eight benefits of having a PLN that’s listed above to explore in a comment. Tell us why this is a benefit that resonates with you.
- Connected Educators: Watch the Connected Educators video. Leave a comment on this post to explain why it’s important to be a connected educator and how a PLN can help you. You might like to give an example of one person in the education community that you’d like to follow and learn from or with. This could be a thought leader, or just someone you find interesting.
- Go Deeper: Write a blog post to explain what you have learned about PLNs. Perhaps your post could be a way to educate or persuade others on the benefits of PLNs. Or you might like to summarize some of the information from this study on PLNs for teachers. Leave a comment with a link to the post so we can have a look at how you went.
Also feel free to leave a comment to ask any questions or share your tips.
How to leave a comment: Scroll down to find the comment box. Write your comment, then enter your name and email address (email addresses are not published). Enter the anti-spam word. Press submit and we will moderate your comment ASAP.
The following information on PLNs was adapted from an original Teacher Challenge post by Australian teacher, Michael Graffin. You can check out Michael’s original post — What The heck Is A PLN.
This resource was updated by Kathleen Morris in 2018.
The idea of lurking on PLNs is nice for busy teachers. Often, they need quick ideas for the topic at hand, and PLNs can be a great source for those topics. It is also impractical for teachers to cultivate relationships with all the people they are borrowing ideas from. It may be enough to leave a nice comment of appreciation for ideas. When they have time, teachers can also share their own ideas to contribute to the forum.
There are a few benefits of PLNs that have resonated with me. I like that you are in charge of your professional development because some types of personal development may not apply to all educators. Also, a PLN helps you brainstorm or fine tune. For example, you may need to learn more about a current issue or topic, and you can ask your PLN for ideas and advice. However, I like that you can chose the platform that you enjoy to connect with others the most. Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and other other types of media provide access to different types of networks. By using Twitter, Facebook, podcasts, and other platforms, you are able to collaborate and share ideas with other educators from different schools, districts, and other areas.
Educators must remain connected because we need to stay abreast of the 21st century skills our students need to navigate college and careers. The world is ever changing. Educators should work as a part of PLNs in order to continue to hone their craft and remain relevant to students. These PLNs will help us to learn to use emerging technologies to engage our students while we form connections that serve as ongoing professional development.
A PLN is a Professional Learning Network. This is group of people or organizations you connect with to learn. PLNs are beneficial because they allow you to learn new skills and stay abreast of current trends in your professional. Also, resources and connections are available 24/7.
I am super excited to build my PLN because I am always looking for new ideas and strategies to teach ELA especially in Writing.
Constructing your PLN to me is similar to being your own career advisor or college class advisor. You choose what content you want to see, learn about, who you want to learn from and when you want to learn it. You make connections with others who want to learn the same types of things and then make connections with their connections and build an ever widening network.
Having a PLN has several benefits. As the educators pointed out in the Connected Educators Video, it allows educators to connect and share best tools that they have found that work well with teaching. It allows you to share ideas and strategies with people around the world. You can choose to access information whenever it is convenient for you. I am working as a Media Specialist and at a small school and do not have a team but through the PLN I can have access community support.
I have been assigned to take this course by a KSU ITEC professor. I began it to tic a box but now I am so excited to actually begin developing a PLN so that I can be in charge of by own professional development. I teach in a highly specialized area- elementary gifted education. Most PDs that I attend are not relevant to helping meet the needs of my students. Through the creation of a PLN, I can explore things directly related to what my students need and find other educators who are passionate about the same things. This is going to be a game changer!
It seems obvious that the reasons to pursue PLN are to not only facilitate our own growth, but to allow us to experience what we wish to coach our students to experience. We must use PLNs to meet the constantly changing demands of our society, to grow, and to improve in our own practice. We must also work to understand this type of learning so we can guide our students to seek growth in this way as well.
Exploring your own interests, needs, and passions is a hugely important component of andragogy because, as professionals, our needs and interests don’t necessarily match up to the PD script for our building or district each year. PLNs provide the avenue to growth in a timely and highly motivating way which is crucial to providing relevance and immediacy of application.
PLNs give a name to the kind of networking and learning that I have routinely done for the last several years. The concept of “lurking” sounds so negative, but has proven to be a great entry point to many valuable conversations, some of which develop further and some of which don’t, but most of them resulting in new ideas, resources, or connections.
A personalized learning network allows educators, and those like myself, who are wanting to get back into education, an opportunity to grow with others who are outside of their direct colleague group. The thought that I can become more actively in charge of my own professional development outside of the required hours that the school I will work with provides, is amazing, because I can grow as an educator and bring back to my colleague group new and interesting ideas and approaches. I find this to be empowering because I can ask others who I may not come into direct contact with on a daily basis questions that I may otherwise allow to go unanswered. As educators, our PLN also gives us the opportunity to learn about concepts that are important to us as well as concepts that we may personally be struggling with about our teaching style, the students in our classroom’s learning styles or even just a specific lesson and finding a new approach that will reach our students. It can feel really helpless when we feel as though we are failing our students because we are not able to reach them, but this is what makes having a PLN so amazing. They will always be there for us and we are always there to help others to see what works and what may need to be vetted more prior to implementation. What do you feel that your PLN has helped you with the most?
There are several benefits of PLNs that have resonated with me. First, I like that it puts the educator in charge of their own professional development and can apply to individual needs. Some forms of PD may not always apply to every educator’s classroom. Having the ability to fine tune the development that would be most applicable to a current issue or struggle allows for a more personalized approach. Secondly, I like that you can chose the platform that you enjoy the most. This allows for differentiated learning for the educator as they seek new information. And lastly, I like that interaction with your PLN can be as general or specific as the educator desires. Sometimes you may be seeking a community in general, and other times you may have a deeper issue that requires mentorship. Overall, the flexibility and customization of PLN use is a great asset to any educator.
PLNs, to me, are a way to connect with others in your profession from all over the globe. What’s interesting is that PLNs are not only for educators. There are PLNs for other groups and professions as well. As technology advanced, PLNs became a great tool when this online platforms developed. Educators are becoming connected. I have added a few PLNs to my Facebook and it has done wonders for my connections and seeing others ideas. Connected educators had helped us not feel so isolated. The quote from Silvia Tolisana resonated with me, “I am amazed every time by the transformative nature of teaching and learning, when harnessing the power of a network to crowdsource authentic data, resources, connections and collaborators” (Edublogs, 2019). I too am amazed. When you look back to where teaching started in a one room school and you see how far we have come. It truly is amazing.
Establishing a Personal Learning Network (PLN ) in the area of education is a helpful option when seeking to be or become a part of the educational community. Being able to connect with people inside and outside your close circle of colleagues, discussing your own subject matter that you teach, other colleagues beyond your school campus to include experts in the field, artists, tradespeople, museum curators, and other educators from other important subjects such as science, math, engineering, and social studies, and literacy. Having a PLN is a perfect tool to network if you are a part of a STEAM Leadership Initiative as the PLN can bring these aspects together more efficiently. The wider you cast your net the more information you will be privy to. Most people are willing to give their time and share their own viewpoint, skills, and advice with others who seek assistance and have a desire to learn. Networking is not linear, but all-encompassing providing a unique opportunity for everyone to connect with each other through a web, not a chain. Being a connected educator benefits students vicariously through you as a connected educator and are able to confirm, access, prove, and validate information through networking with other professionals.
The PLN Benefit that I really resonated with was “Students need globally connected teachers” (Edublogs, 2019). I am currently in an online graduate school program, and being able to connect with other teachers from all over the United States, and in many cases, all over the world, is so beneficial in hearing various perspectives and viewpoints. Many times, the only thoughts and opinions we hear as educators are from teachers at our own school or own district. However, schools can be like echo chambers, and it can be easy to go along with the status quo around you (Edublogs, 2019). Being able to collaborate and share ideas with other educators from all over, is so valuable and can open your eyes to new ideas, different strategies and overall, varying perspectives and viewpoints.
A Personal Learning Network (PLN) to me is a community of people who work in the same field. Inside of this network, the individuals support each other and share ideas for professional growth.
A PLN to me are different ways and people that I interact with to learn from. It is also a way for me to look outside of my immediate cohort of teachers at my school to find different resources or answers to things that might not be working in my classroom. It is something that I am slowly working on to expand and learning how to expand.
A Personal Learning Network (PLN) to me is a group of colleagues who share the same interest or similar interest in a particular field of learning that I can connect with to share varied teaching techniques that can be shared with me to enhance the courses that I teach.
A PLN to me is something that allows you to stay connected to those around you. By staying connected they help you enhance your knowledge and understand on various subjects. They are beneficial in the education world because curriculums are constantly changing. When the Pandemic hit, many schools were forced to close and use distance learning to teach. PLNs helped those who may not have been so tech-savvy to find new programs, apps, and software to help teach their students. PLNs also helped educators stay grounded. I think they are a great think to have. Learning from others is not only how we can grow in the classroom but also as educators. In order to teach you need to be able to constantly learn.
I look forward to building my own PLN. I feel that a personal learning network will give me a broader perspective and allow me to create new opportunities for my students. In addition to collaborating with teachers in my own school community, I can learn from educators with various teaching backgrounds from a variety of school communities. With the use of technology, I can learn and gather information at times that work best for me. Creating a PLN will allow me to be an example to my students of a 21st century learner. I look forward to connecting and sharing with other teachers to learn and grow in this profession.
My first teaching experience was in a 3rd-grade class in January 1983. The previous teacher had retired mid-year. I quickly discovered why. Sadly the teachers across the hall didn’t stop by to help. Instead, I stumbled through classroom management, lesson plans, and almost quit. But with prayer and the help from experienced teachers I knew, I got great ideas for some of my concerns and questions. Though not an official network, it was a start! I’m so glad that today’s teachers can get connected with a PLN to get the help they need, whether it’s their first year or their thirtieth! We can all benefit from fresh ideas to solve old problems, collaboration, connecting for friendship, and getting this help from across the globe. Best of all, help is available 24/7, instead of waiting for the annual teachers’ conventions. Hooray for PLNs!
A personal learning network (PLN) is an imperative relationship with other professionals with a variety of experiences and desires. Having a PLN provides diversity as one could be connected with individuals all of the world. PLN’s allows collaboration, connections and deeper understandings. It is important that every professional has a primary PLN to further explore and learn as views and values develop and change through communication. Teachers that are in PLN’s gain a variety of perspectives as educators share their experiences, activities and understanding of different subject areas. Teachers then taking the information they receive and impact their students with their knowledge. PLN’s are very useful to all professionals.
For me, PLNs (particularly online ones) represent a system of support. I have a class that I am the only teacher in my school who teaches the course, and I am one of three in my district that teach it. This gives me a very small in-person support system, but by utilizing an online PLN I am able to connect with hundreds of other teachers who teach this course. This creates a much larger support system for me to brainstorm and develop best practices for my students. It also allows me to feel less isolated when I find a topic the students are struggling with… my students are not the only ones! This type of support allows me to be the best educator I can for all of my students.
In 1982, I was given my first class as a teacher. They were 3rd graders; it was Jan. 4 as I replaced a teacher who retired mid-year. I wish I could say that the teachers across the hall chipped in and helped me “learn the ropes”. But it didn’t happen. I was all alone.
A PLN would have been a life-saving tool for me and is for any new teacher. But better still, it allows experienced and new teachers to share creative ideas, fun solutions, and to solve an assortment of challenges! Since then, I’ve sought to connect with teachers in my field and have grown from and with them! It has helped me continue to say “Retire? No way – I still love my job!”
Thank you for all of this information, especially the connected educator video. I like personal and professional as the terms, but I think I do like personalized the best because regardless of what field you’re in you’re cultivating a network that works best for you as you learn and grow in your profession. There might be different seasons you go through, but those connections are still there that you’ve been able to build and learn from. I tend to think of “lurking” as not such a negative thing because when you think of our classrooms–whether K-12 or adult learner, you’re going to have many students who aren’t as actively involved as others. However, just because they’re not raising they’re hand or contributing to the group in the same way as the leader, we are able to find ways in which they are demonstrating their learning. Our goal is always to move them towards a more active participant, but the classroom and the network are there to support everyone, not only those who are more outspoken about their contributions. It wouldn’t be the powerful support that it is without everyone working together. Someone who “lurks” and uses an idea from a network may pass it on by word-of-mouth instead of through online and the discussion that results may be very powerful itself, extending the learning community.
PLN to me is currently part of the requirements for a MA LT course I am taking. I love to network in person, however, the concept of going virtual feels a little uncomfortable. I am willing to tackle this form of collaboration as I feel that there are many benefits both to my own professional development as well as to lead by example for my teachers.
I watched the connected educator video to complete this portion of the course. I believe that you have to be connected in order to be an excellent educator. Many of the educators pointed out that it would be very difficult to be an educator without being connected.
A PLN allows for broad brainstorming or fine tuning: This resonated with me because us as educators are always trying to do what is best for our classrooms and ultimately or students to help them receive the education they deserve. A PLN allows us to connect and share ideas, as well as get tips and tricks to fine tune and fix aspects of our teaching to be better.
PLN to me means that you have a group of people, it does not matter how big, that you either tune in on, or communicate over the internet with, who share a common interest and desire to learn about a certain topic or issue that is prominent in education.
The video on connected educators is eye opening. I am joining the teaching profession a little later in life. I am finding out through school and through videos like this, that it is very important to create your own PLN and utilize it. There was a lady in the video that spoke about how important having a PLN is to her because otherwise, how would she know if she is doing a good job? One person I would like to be a part of my PLN is J.K. Rowling. Not only is she a highly decorated author, but she is also an English Language Teacher who used to teach in Portugal. I’m sure she has a few tricks up her sleeve.
The pros of “lurking” are that you are able to see what people are sharing, use ideas from them, and you do not have to steal other professionals ideas, but you can use them to create something that is unique to your classroom. The cons of “lurking” are that your ideas will not be heard by other people, you can talk through ideas, and you will not get to connect with other professionals in your subject area.
The video on connected educators is something I found interesting. It gave others experience with it and the importance of a PLN. A PLN and staying connected really helps continue being a life long learned and also finding new ideas. Sometimes even getting assistance from educators across the world. A PLN is so beneficial to educators but to students too. Students will be able to get access to better teaching and tools.
I think that a PLN is an important tool when it comes to being a connected educator. We can learn so much from others in the education field from others that we truly never even reach the potential of speaking to all we should. Developing you PLN doesn’t mean following others exact moves, but what it does mean is watching others and taking the good from what others can do for you. Being connected with others in the field is a gift to students. Many different classroom goals and views become represented within one teacher.
I personally learn better from videos from any source. The statement that stood out to me was when Elena mentioned that if you are not connected to education how can you be sure that you are even providing to your students. I have found this very important for not only adults but also students in general. PLNs can ensure that educators are being supported in many different ways.
I personally learned the most valuable information from the “Connected Educators” video. The statement that stood out the most to me was when Elana Leoni mentioned that if you are not a connected educator how can you be sure that you are providing your students with the best tools available? I cannot even explain how important this is to me. Students should always come first and a connected educator ensures that they do. PLNs also ensure that educators are being supported. As a future educator, I have learned that teachers can not do this job alone. PLNs take this isolation away and instead builds a community.
I think that I would be doing quite a bit of “lurking” in the beginning of being connected. I am not a very social person, nor experienced enough to warrant professional confidence. With time, I would like to get comfortable and contribute to the network, since reciprocity is one of the characteristics of PLN that I find interesting. When talking about characteristics of PLN, to me, the connectedness means a strategy against isolation. I work with EL students in one-on-one setting and only meet other EL colleagues on rare occasions. The isolation I feel is definitely relevant and thanks to technology and PLN I can make changes moving forward.
To me, PLN means that I can learn and continue learning from and with individuals that share my professional interests. PLN is a “support group” that is more unique and diverse than a typical group of teaching partners you work with in the same building. Even though those connections are also important and the relationships are real, sometimes getting an opinion or suggestion from outside of your traditional circle is transformative. I cannot wait to learn more about PLN and start building my own. I have never heard of PLN prior to taking this course but from very beginning, I knew that PLN is something I could greatly benefit from. I am an EL teacher at the beginning of her career who received all education outside of the USA. For 9 years, I was professionally inactive due to raising my family. Only recently, I applied for a ND state teaching license, received it, and started working in the EL department of a school district. With so many changes in education since I received my graduate degree and the fact that every country’s educational philosophies and practices vary, I feel like almost everything is new to me. I need support, ideas, and trustworthy opinions as I move forward and I cannot wait to build my PLN and continue learning with it.
I found all 8 benefits of PLNs to be important, but one that especially stood out to me was the benefit that read: “stay current on research and best practice.” Today, education and approaches to education are changing rapidly. I have seen this especially evident in special education rooms. Compared to where society was 50 years ago, special education has come a long way. Students with disabilities were separated from their peers in school. Today, I am so happy to be able to see students with disabilities work with others in general education classrooms. The expectations and methods in the special education classroom have changed drastically and continue to do so. Therefore, I think it is important for teachers to find a PLN that they trust and enjoy, so that they can hear from others’ ideas about what they are doing to create a safe and thriving environment for students with disabilities.
I think that all teachers should build their own PLNs. I had not known what a PLN was until this course, but I am so glad that I have since learned. To me, a PLN is a device capable of pushing teachers to reach their greatest potential. They allow teachers to communicate with others about their own successes, failures, and suggestions. They aim to build each other up. I especially like that all contributors of a PLN are coming from the same place- in a teacher’s PLN, every person is working toward creating a meaningful educational experience for their students. Every person cares about kids and wants to do what they can to help them succeed. This is why I think PLNs are a necessity for all teachers- it not only provides them with tips and tricks, but also a support system. As far as lurking, I think that it is okay to do so when first examining a resource, but I do not think a person should lurk forever once they have found a source they love. Instead, they should contribute their own thoughts and reach out to others to establish relationships and help others.
I think that all teachers should build their own PLNs. I had not known what a PLN was until this course, but I am so glad that I have since learned. To me, a PLN is a device capable of pushing teacher’s to reach their greatest potential. They allow teachers to communicate with others about their own successes, failures, and suggestions. They aim to build each other up. I especially like that all contributors of a PLN are coming from the same place- in a teacher’s PLN, every person is working toward creating a meaingful educational experience for their students. Every person cares about kids and wants to do what they can to help them succeed. This is why I think PLNs are a necessity for all teachers- it not only provides them with tips and tricks, but also a support system. As far as lurking, I think that it is okay to do so when first examing a resource, but I do not think a person should lurk forever once they have found a source they love. Instead, they should contribute their own thoughts and reach out to others to establish relationships and help others.
The sixth benefit that talks about staying up to date on research resonates with me because I think it’s important to keep evolving, growing and learning as an educator. Education is constantly changing and the children that we teach are all evolving and all different so I find it essential to stay up to date with research and new practices and strategies so that I can always give my students my best and give them their best chance at a quality education.
I feel this will be beneficial in my career, for example, if I am having a road block with one of my students and everything I am trying seems not to work, I can reach out and connect with others with similar situations and see how they problem solved or get advice or ideas on the next steps. This could make not only myself, but my students lives easier.
I want to address lurking from the first prompt and my thoughts on this approach. While it is certainly a good idea to learn from others and to pay attention to what they have to say, doing so from an uninvolved perspective does not make for the best experience. If something is being addressed where there is a gap in your knowledge, you need to be involved to ask questions and gain a better understanding. It is all well and good to stay out of something if you have nothing to contribute, but to solely be a spectator is to put yourself in a weaker position.
To me, a Professional Learning Network is a system of individual educators coming together to share support and knowledge in the pursuit of furthering education. Together, everyone is able to learn and grow through shared and differed experiences and can develop their own pedagogy and methods based on new information. As educators, we are constant learners. It would be beneficial to not only one person, but the many components of the PLN that come together. I think “lurking” would be very beneficial to new educators, or those with minimal experience in certain areas. This would allow the lurker to gain information and better prepare themselves for new experiences, and taking the time and consideration to listen to other instructors and what they have learned.
The biggest benefit to creating a PLN is that you can learn and connect in a way that suits the individual. They have the ability to connect people from across the entire country and world and inspire others to try new things or see things from another perspective. It also gives the chance to connect with other individuals to share and inform about their specific experiences.
PLN has to do with promoting mutual learning. The goal is to use PLN as a tool for educators to share resources, communicate, and co-conspire in various ways. I would love to join forums where I can communicate with teachers and share resources with one another. I think that it’s important to be a connected educator because education is more powerful if it’s relevant to the students’ lives. Education is empowering when students make those personal connections and see the relationship between their lives and the world around. A connected educator can help make more webs for the students to explore.
I am a fourth year undergraduate student working towards getting my degree in early elementary education. I think it is important to utilize as many tools as you can that are available to you especially as an educator. As for Task #1, I think that a PLN is a way to learn and grow through communication. To create a network full of educators means to create a world of ideas that can be shared between so many people. This network can serve as support when help is needed and can also help those in need. It provides an easy and convenient way to be able to pull insights from other people in your field. I feel like for someone like me who is still in school to become a teacher, something like this would be a great resource. I could pull information from all different kinds of people to help me grow a wealth of knowledge from when I am finally in my own classroom. I see a PLN as a giant school filled with teachers helping one another.
The fascinating part of PLN is that the individual can choose the group of people they want to connect with to learn from their ideas. One of the pros of “lurking” is that educators have the power to explore their own interests or needs at any time of the day. “Lurking” also allows individuals to search for the information they need or discard it if it’s not relevant. For example, a teacher might need advice or tips on how to teach a math strategy that their class is struggling with. The teacher can “lurk” through several math pages on Twitter until they find a page that is relevant to their classroom’s needs. However, it’s important to transition from “lurking” to sharing if you are deciding to utilize the information that’s presented. Providing comments and feedback is important in growing your PLN and ensuring you are being a collaborative member. A con of lurking can include individuals that are only taking ideas from others without actively participating. The purpose of a PLN is to collaborate with others in your field to continue each other’s learning.
Personal Learning Networks give educators the opportunity to connect with others in order to gain new understandings or share their own expertise. The fascinating part of PLN is that the individual can choose the group of people they want to connect with to learn from their ideas. One of the pros of “lurking” is that educators have the power to explore their own interests or needs at any time of the day. “Lurking” also allows individuals to search for the information they need or discard it if it’s not relevant. For example, a teacher might need advice or tips on how to teach a math strategy that their class is struggling with. The teacher can “lurk” through several math pages on Twitter until they find a page that is relevant to their classroom’s needs. However, it’s important to transition from “lurking” to sharing if you are deciding to utilize the information that’s presented. Providing comments and feedback is important in growing your PLN and ensuring you are being a collaborative member. A con of lurking can include individuals that are only taking ideas from others without actively participating. The purpose of a PLN is to collaborate with others in your field to continue each other’s learning.