Week 10-Professional Learning Network
I'd never heard of a Professional Learning Network (PLN) before this class. In essence a PLN is a connection to people who share your same values, beliefs, and area of expertise. They are individuals you build relationships with to teach and learn from. Having a PLN provides diversity in thought. It provides insights on how to grow and develop in your profession. A PLN is created by:
1: Finding Professionals- find others in your area of expertise and follow them on their platforms. This can be done by subscribing to their email list, following their blog or social media accounts.
2: Find your Niche group-get out in the community and find people with whom you associate who have the same interest as you. If you are interested in creating hands on science experiments in your classroom, find those also interested in science experiments with whom you can share ideas as well as share your own tips and tricks. These groups should feel comfortable. Consider joining a weekly meeting to gain insights.
3. Find your PLN Buddies and Mentors- These are individuals you are closest to and would feel comfortable commenting on their websites, calling on the phone or getting together over lunch. Finding these people will happen as you interact in PLNs.
The number one suggestion I have is to not feel overwhelmed. PLNs do not follow a strict template and can evolve as your interest and needs evolve. If a community you've previously followed is no longer meeting your needs, you can find others to participate in. PLNs are a key ingredient to increasing your learning and broadening your insights. With how fast technology and organizations evolve it is crucial for Human Resource Development (HRD) professionals to find ways to stay up to date. Inspiration for PLNs provide that extra UMPH needed to be creative, embrace change and stay connected. A creative way to learn is to connect with those in different cultures and areas of the world. Seeing how other environments are performing the same material as us provides variety in your own performance and a new direction to take when innovation has halted. That's my favorite thing about using a PLN, I don't have to know everything in a particular area. I can learn from the experiences of others.
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteI have adopted a similar approach to the PLN. I am fine-tuning my network. I am currently joining networks that fit my fancy and interest. I am trying not to join too many in the beginning.
I focus on a few tools like getting to know the blogs well. I like to experiment with blogs, I will even occasionally use social media like Twitter or Instagram. Twitter has a large audience and that has pros and cons to it.
With so many networks and tools, one may spread themselves too thin. I suggest striving for quality as opposed to quantity.
Hello Alicia!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post! I'm also new to the PLN world. I'm not very active within social media and have learned a great deal about it from my teenagers lol. Although I'm a bit apprehensive about it all, I'm eager and excited.
Thank you so much for your final thoughts, I appreciate your advice about not getting too overwhelmed. I think it's important for us to remember that this is a learning process.
Enjoy your Spring break!
Alicia,
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of your post is when you point out that if your PLN group is no longer serving you, then change it. Simply as that. The PLNs are so personal and I love how you describe the PLN and how you view this process. THank you for sharing .
Hi Alicia! I really enjoyed reading over your blog! It has really stuck out to me! I really like how to added ways to create a PLN. I saw many blogs about strengthening them, but not many that started from the beginning in building one! Finding professionals who can offer helpful tips and ideas can be so helpful. I am a preschool teacher, and finding other teachers in my area with more experience has been so beneficial to me. These people have helped me so much more than I thought! I also love how you added the comment to not get overwhelmed! That is so important and I defiantly got overwhelmed when I first started building mine! I saw people who were better than me and got competitive! Luckily I was able to understand that they were there to help me, not compete with me! Thank you for your post!
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