Personal Learning Networks

What is a Personal Learning Network (PLN)? Personal Learning Networks are groups of people you interact with to add to your knowledge in a certain topic. This can range from a array of networks such as Twitter Chats, Facebook Groups, Podcasts, and more. PLNs allow us to learn new ideas and methods from other people in a comfortable environment. you have the ability to find different types of PLNs to fit your personality and style. As educators we need to constantly learn new things. We are always learning as teachers, and Personal Learning Networks are a great way to ensure that happens.

I chose to take part in a Twitter Chat to introduce myself to Personal Learning Networks. I joined a chat about "Creating a Classroom Community" hosted by OK2Ask EdTech. With COVID-19, digital learning is growing faster than ever and it is difficult to create a community through online learning.

The "Creating a Classroom Community" Twitter Chat was a great opportunity. It was organized and easy to follow while allowing time for interactions between participants. We talked about the community side of the topic for a majority of the time. There were questions about empathy and how we could create this comfortable space for students to learn and grow. However, there were only a few participants in this chat which created a slow-paced chat among the moderator and the participants. I also think we could have focused more on the EdTech side of the classroom community. If I were to make changes, I would focus more on the technology of teaching more and keep the pace up-beat.

PLNs are extremely beneficial to educators including myself. They give you time to learn and grow as a teacher while being comfortable enough to not be stressful or add too much to your plate. PLNs allow you to collaborate with other educators on topics you find interesting or want to learn more about. You have the ability to find new methods and ways of teaching new ideas in your classroom. PLNs have a vast array of platforms and topics which allow anyone to join and learn. Overall, I highly recommend Personal Learning Networks for other educators looking to continue their learning and growth and a teacher.