Professional Learning Networks

According to google, "A professional learning network (PLN) is a network of connections that teachers use to enhance their professional development. PLNs can help teachers: Exchange ideas, Collaborate, Share resources, Discuss teaching practices and trends, Broaden their horizons, Foster continuous learning."

We can see that having several networks to choose from can be very beneficial. Sometimes those networks come in a different form than a website. "There are a variety of ways to form and connect with PLNs. Some examples include the use of online platforms, social media, participating in conferences and webinars, and interacting in professional learning communities provided through organizations. Schools can help educators build a PLN by offering time for professional learning community (PLC) groups to form and work together throughout the year." (Dené Poth, R. 2023) One of the biggest things I use is Instagram. I love to look at pictures and quick reels that people post. Within the past year or so, I have really started to follow other teachers, (even elementary teachers) to see that great ideas they come up with. Then I try to take those concepts and adapt them to my junior high students level of thinking.

For EDLD 5302, we had to share our three learning networks that we use. The following sites are just a few that I use. I also have my entire CTE Department that I use as well. There are about 6 of us who teach at the junior high level and 5 at the high school level. We email often and share lesson plans, resources, and ideas. I have really enjoyed talking content with these people.

The professional learning networks I joined are:

1. Applied Digital Skills: Applied Digital Skills is a free site with access to hundreds of lessons. I've used this site in my classroom for the last few years. They have a lot of good resources for both my digital art class and my video game design class to aid in our topics/lessons.

2. TCEA: The Texas Computer Education Association is a professional organization for educators focused on technology integration in education. Membership provides access to resources, events, and networking opportunities with other educators. My school district has paid for me to go for the last few years and it's been so engaging to see what others have to offer. I have enjoyed seeing the different things teachers use in their classrooms or even something as simple as a KWL chart to understand learning.

3. K-12 Resource Center Our focus has always been to serve the K-12 education community. The K-12 Internet Resource Center started in 1995 with less than 500 web resources, introducing the Internet to the K-12 community. We’ve now expanded to over 4,900 web and video resources and provide over 100 lesson plans. I found this site on google and it looked interesting. I thought I would explore it more to see what all it had to offer.

Part of my networking community is from the other teachers in our district. In August, we all get together for 2 PD days. We can reconnect from how our summer went and learn from each other about what classes they took over the summer. It also allows us to talk about lesson plans we have been using in our class over the last few years, as well as new material we came up with.

What steps are you taking or can you take in your learning environment to make feedfoward work?

To me, feedforward goes hand in hand with networking. That you are helping plan ahead and able to over come obstacles in teaching rather than trying to correct mistakes. Some steps I take is to lesson plan for something I want to teach is get it all prepared and run it by two different teachers. one is the other computer teacher on my campus and the second is a digital design teacher at the other middle school campus around the corner from our campus. Often times we will share things that have been working in our classrooms as well via email and also get feedback if there is some room for improvement or ways to enhance our lessons.

I have really loved the two other teachers I work closely with in our district. In fact when I started teaching this curriculum 8 years ago I built it all from scratch. Things I wanted to learn about Digital Art (Photoshop/ Illustrator, 3D, etc.) Then wen these teachers were hired on I shared my resources, lesson plans, etc. with them and helped them grow, since they had never taught before. Now it's at the point where we will have long term subs in our district filling in for computer teachers and they will hear from someone else what I have created and ask if they can borrow it to help get them by until the original teacher comes back.

References:

Applied Digital Skills. Google. https://applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com/s/en/resources

Dene Poth, R. (2023) Building Your Professional Learning Network. https://www.edutopia.org/article/professional-learning-networks-teachers/

K-12 Resource Center: Career Technical Education. https://k12irc.org/topics/career-technical-education-cte/

K-12 Resource Center. Education Networks Organization. https://k12irc.org/topics/education-networks-organization

TCEA Membership. https://tcea.org/membership/

What are professional learning networks for teachers. In Google. https://www.google.com/search?q=what+are+professional+learning+networks+for+teachers&sca_esv=3ddc15aac6af2d0d&rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS1105US1105&ei=ZspRZ7SmDPHiwN4Pn-_kwAo&ved=0ahUKEwi08fe0_JCKAxVxMdAFHZ83GagQ4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=what+are+professional+learning+networks+for+teachers&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiNHdoYXQgYXJlIHByb2Zlc3Npb25hbCBsZWFybmluZyBuZXR3b3JrcyBmb3IgdGVhY2hlcnMyBBAAGB4yCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMgsQABiABBiGAxiKBTILEAAYgAQYhgMYigUyCxAAGIAEGIYDGIoFMggQABiABBiiBDIIEAAYgAQYogQyCBAAGIAEGKIESNUbUOAJWL0acAJ4AZABAZgBqQKgAeMHqgEFOC4xLjG4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgqgAocFwgIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR8ICBxAAGIAEGA3CAgYQABgWGB7CAggQABgHGAgYHsICCBAAGAUYDRgewgIIEAAYBRgHGB7CAgYQABgHGB6YAwCIBgGQBgiSBwM5LjGgB4Zh&sclient=gws-wiz-serp