Professional Learning Networks

Professional Learning Networks in Education

Professional learning networks provide an opportunity for users to collaborate virtually with other users from all over the world.  Professional learning networks, or PLN’s, can basically be defined as an informal, flexible environment used to connect with other people with the intent to learn and gain knowledge from others. The internet and social media has allowed PLN’s to grow from discussing idea’s from books, articles, and conferences with other teachers in our schools to meaningful collaboration with professionals we may never actually meet face-to-face. Professional learning networks can range from bookmarking sites and blogs to social media sites like Twitter, Edmodo, and Google+.

Image Source: http://www.onlinedegrees.org/building-your-personal-learning-network/

I have recently became a big fan of Twitter. Twitter is a great networking tool that allows users to quickly view great resources and ideas from other educators and professionals. On her blog, Teaching Village, Barbara Hoskins Sakamoto illustrates Twitter in a perfect way. Sakamoto compares Twitter to a “big, noisy teacher’s lounge.” She states “I might have a conversation with one or two teachers in the lounge, and catch fragments of other conversations around me.”  I can view “tweets” from many great educators and organizations which might link me to an article or website of interest to me. I can then “retweet” so my followers can benefit from the resource. I can also send new “tweets” if I find a resource that I feel my followers would also enjoy. I have used Diigo as a bookmarking resource. What I like most about Diigo is the opportunity to join interest-based communities and then you can enjoy bookmarks from other members of that community.  I am also excited about the opportunity to start blogging. I have always found educator blogs to be a great resource for idea’s and activities to use in the classroom. But I have never contributed to a blog myself so this will be my opportunity to try it out!

Professional learning networks allow people to learn from others in a flexible and informal environment. PLN’s bring professional development to a new and exciting level that every educator can benefit from. I would encourage educators to not only find the PLN that works best for them but to also find ways to encourage some virtual collaboration in the classroom with students. Students could use a PLN to participate in discussion boards with peers, receive feedback on shared work, and also provide feedback to a fellow classmate.

Image Source: http://harveyd.edublogs.org/files/2010/11/connected-teacher-e-284z2tm.jpg