Lisa DickAs educators, we always look for ways to improve our teaching practice and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and research. This can sometimes be overwhelming and time-consuming. One of my favorite ways to learn, grow, and share is by building a professional learning network (PLN). In this article, we’ll explore what a PLN is, why it’s important, and how you can leverage it to improve your teaching practice.
What is a Professional Learning Network?
A professional learning network (PLN) is a group of colleagues, both in-person and online, who share your professional interests and can help you develop your skills and knowledge. Your PLN might include fellow educators at your school, educators from other schools in your district, and educators from around the world that you’ve connected with through social media or other online platforms.
A professional learning network (PLN) can be defined as “uniquely crafted and dynamic learning ecosystems, consisting of people, spaces, and tools that meet an educator’s professional needs, interests, and goals” (Trust et al., 2016) PLNs are an important aspect of professional development for educators, as they allow for the sharing of ideas, resources, and best practices, and the development of collaborative networks that can lead to innovation and growth.
Why is a PLN Important?
I began my teaching career many moons ago. After a few years of teaching in a relatively small district, I had already completed any educational technology professional development opportunities that were offered. I spent many hours learning and a lot of trial and error discovering tools. As access to the World Wide Web grew, so did learning opportunities from other educators. For me, this began through the use of forums and instant messaging but drastically expanded into a true PLN as social platforms became available such as Facebook and Twitter.
Building a professional learning network is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it provides you with access to a diverse range of perspectives and expertise. By connecting with other educators who have different backgrounds and experiences than you, you can learn new teaching strategies and techniques that you might not have otherwise been exposed to.
Additionally, a PLN can help you stay current with the latest trends and research in your field. Education is constantly evolving, and it can be difficult to stay up-to-date on all the latest developments on your own. By tapping into your PLN, you can stay informed about the latest trends and research and incorporate them into your teaching practice.
A PLN can also provide you with emotional support and encouragement. Teaching can be a challenging profession, and having a network of supportive colleagues can make all the difference in your ability to thrive and grow.
How Can a PLN Improve Your Teaching Practice?
Numerous studies have found benefits of participating in PLNs especially associated with increased teacher self-efficacy and improved instructional practices. PLN participation is positively associated with teacher innovation, as teachers are able to learn from and collaborate with colleagues outside of their immediate school context.
Now that we’ve established why a PLN is important, let’s explore how you can leverage your network to improve your teaching practice. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Participate in Twitter chats or other online forums related to education. This is a great way to connect with other educators and learn from their experiences. Think of how much you can learn from one colleague, now, multiply that by 1 million+!
- Attend conferences and workshops. These events provide a great opportunity to meet other educators and learn about the latest trends and research in your field. Many events you learn about offer a virtual option and are FREE!
- Participate in book clubs or other professional development groups with colleagues at your school. This can help you deepen your relationships with your colleagues and learn from their expertise. It is important to remember not all PLN connections are global some are in your school or district.
- Reach out to educators in your PLN for advice and support. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or guidance when you need it. Most educators love to help, the same is true when you utilize social media professionally.
These are just a few examples of my a PLN is important all of which help you to expand your knowledge and improve your teaching practice. Isn’t it easier to learn from others rather than through trial and error on your own?
Conclusion
Building a professional learning network is an essential part of being an educator in the 21st century. By connecting with other educators and tapping into their expertise, you can improve your teaching practice and stay current with the latest trends and research in your field. Do you already have a PLN? How has it helped you? In the next article in this series, we’ll explore how to get started building your PLN.
