The Benefits of PLNs
Professional Learning Networks
Professional Learning Network (PLN)
Four areas contribute to the effectiveness of Professional Learning Networks (PLN): affective (emotional support and motivation), social (building professional relationships), cognitive (engaging new ideas), and identity (offering opportunities for self-reflection, goal-setting, and professional growth). I identify with the cognitive aspect the most. I benefit from sharing ideas with peers and implementing their suggestions.
Wishing for a PLN
While I was teaching, during our lunch break, we were informed that due to the spread of the Coronavirus, schools would be closed the following day and remain closed for the foreseeable future. I remember rushing back to my classroom without a plan in place, scrambling to come up with some sort of idea on how to best educate my students when I wasn't with them. I taught at a high-needs, low-income school, which meant that we did not have the resources to send students home with their own devices or school supplies, and our supply of paper copies was limited. I was able to assemble work packets from previously used workbooks and scoured my personal stash of supplies to gather enough for students to take home. Looking back, I realize that I would have benefited from a professional learning network for ideas on what other teachers facing the same dilemma as me were doing.
When I discovered PLNs
During the following school year, the pandemic was still in full swing. I moved homes and transferred to a new school that was implementing hybrid learning. Under the hybrid learning schedule, students were divided into two groups. Group 1 attended school for two days a week, while Group 2 attended school in person on the two days that Group 1 was at home. Everyone engaged in remote learning on Fridays. The schedule was hectic, but I wouldn't have been able to manage it without the professional learning networks I joined on Facebook.
A co-worker shared with me a Bitmoji schedule that included links to read-aloud books for students to watch during their silent reading time. Curious about this resource, I looked up the Facebook group Bitmoji & Benchmark Advance/Adelante and discovered a community of professionals who were generously sharing their experiences, resources, and tips for managing remote learning. Joining that one group led me to explore other teaching groups that helped me expand my knowledge and become a better teacher.
Virtual Reading Room Slide
Still not convinced about finding and joining a PLN? I created this infographic to persuade you.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience and the fantastic resources, Jasmine. Your infographic is excellent. I'm happy to see you spread the word about the power of PLNs.
ReplyDeleteWhen the pandemic hit, I had just started my library career in the Chicago Public Libraries. I understand the whiplash from in-person to online even though libraries didn't switch to online-only, at least here in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteHaving taken most of my schooling online, I understand the transition for some was more challenging than others. Many other educators of lower economic and highly diverse needs say the same thing. This lack of foresight frustrated me the most during the pandemic. Generations of leaders have emphasized the importance of education and schools but then don't give the schools, especially the teachers and students who need extra help, the tools needed to thrive.
I've followed a few Facebook groups, but none are education. They are interesting, but my main gripe with Facebook groups has more to do with Facebook in general. It tends to revert to the most popular post, not time-linear, no matter how many times I change it back. Some posts are time-sensitive, and because of how the algorithm works, a lot of people miss them unless they have email alerts turned on. I have mine turned off as it would alert me about everything, not what interests me most.