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Professional Learning Network

Professional Learning Networks (PLNs)
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Over the past few weeks, I have been learning the value of professional learning networks, or PLNs, to the profession of education. A PLN is a virtual space where people can chat and share resources/ideas. As teachers, the field of education in constantly changing. New problems arise, new resources become introduced, and sometimes we struggle to keep up. However, by staying connected with other teachers/coaches, we can get ahead of the times and be better prepared to teach our kids.

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I created a Twitter account, @DowneyC16, in hopes of gaining new insight from others. As a third year teacher, I know there is so much I need to improve on and learn. At the same time, I know I have strengths that can be shared with others as well. As I became acclimated with Twitter, I began to follow several accounts that were of interest to me, including: @MindshiftKQED, @edutopia, @MonicaGentaED, @NASASTEM, @PhETsims, and others. A lot of these accounts are related to science, namely engineering and STEM. I am always looking for ideas to better engage students, and have them "do science" rather than just learn about it.

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Educational Chats
After joining Twitter, I was in search of a educational chat that I could participate in that I felt was interesting. The first place I started was Educational Chats. This provided me with a schedule of different chats that were happening on Twitter, related to the field of education. I ended up choosing the chat called #whatisschool. This chat happens once a week, every Thursday. It is an award winning chat that covers a variety of concepts.

 The topic of this week was Digital Natives, which is directly related to what we have been talking about in our EDU776 course. Below are a few questions and responses to those questions asked:


Questions 1&2: These questions made me really think deeply about my assumptions of students, as well as assumptions that have been made about my generation. A digital native does not need to be someone from the younger generation, but it can be those who learn the use of tech. The assumption that many people have is that the current generation does not know how to function without tech. I felt like growing up, I was thought of as someone who didn't know how to function without technology, but this is false. Kids are fast learners due to their changing brains, so it is wrong to think they cannot learn without technology.










Question 3: I liked this question because it focuses on student curiosity. The shift to students asking questions and finding out the information for themselves can be seen as an asset. Students should be shown how to use technology to their advantage. It is a tool that is going to be there for them throughout their lives, so we should be teaching them good sources to find information and encouraging their curiosity.

 I really enjoyed chatting with other educators and learning their thoughts. I thought this was a valuable experience, and I was also able to share some resources about how I authentically use tech in the classroom! 

 Educational Resources
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One educational resource I came upon was one that was tweeted by Mind Shift. It linked to an article written about self-regulating emotions in the classroom by being a model for students. It also gave a video on what it looks like. I felt this was helpful because I  am guilty of getting aggravated at times, but articulating how I feel is key.

 The article also talked about helping student with executive functioning skills, such as managing time and prioritizing classwork. It's important for students to know what is due, and what is most important. The article talks about "eating the frog" and doing what you want to do the least, first. This makes everything else seem easier. This is a strategy I am going to use in my Connections class. It will be helpful on our goal setting days for students to see what they need to work on to bring their grades up. 

 Click HERE for a direct link to the article.

 Takeaways
  • Twitter is a valuable resource when it comes to professional development and problem solving in the classroom
  • There are lots of teachers out there who have the same questions and wonders
  • PLNs can be easily found, you just have to look in the right places! 
Additional Resources
Links to learn more about PLNs: 

Mind Shift Podcast and Teaching Strategies: 
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Comments

  1. NMZumpanoDecember 3, 2019 at 3:30 PM

    This is a great post Christine! I especially liked the way you reflected on the chat questions you answered- it is powerful to see your thinking. It sounds like this was a good experience for you. I hope you stay active on Twitter.

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    Replies
    1. CdowneyDecember 3, 2019 at 6:27 PM

      I appreciate your feedback! I am definitely going to continue using Twitter, and I am considering making one for my science class next year! It would be a good resource to post reminders, student work/participation (with parent consent), etc.

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