Professional Development Specialist | Software Trainer | Science Educator
Instructional Designer | LMS Manager
Learning Networks
THE NEEDS IN EDUCATION ARE CONSTANTLY CHANGING. TECHNOLOGY AND DIGITAL LEARNING IS BECOMING MORE COMPLEX AND EDUCATORS ARE HAVING TO KEEP UP. THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC HAS REVEALED HOW MUCH TEACHERS, LIKE MYSELF, NEED RESOURCES TO ADAPT OUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES- THAT WERE ONCE HELP IN THE COMFORT OF OUR CLASSROOMS- TO VIRTUAL TEACHING IN A ROOM BY OURSELVES. HOW AM I GOING TO CREATE A QUALITY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHERE I CANNOT DO ANY HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES AND LABS? IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE TO REINVENT THE WHEEL AND DRIVE THE CAR IT AT THE SAME TIME. IT IS EASIER TO LEARN WITH OTHERS, AND NOW IT WE MUST REACH OUT TO FIND THIS SUPPORT THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.
FOR EXAMPLE, TEACHING VIRTUAL SCIENCE FOR THE FIRST TIME IS DIFFICULT FOR ME. SO, I HAVE LOOKED TO DIFFERENT GROUPS ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO FIND IDEAS. I ENDED UP JOINING SEVERAL GROUPS. ONE OF THEM WAS CHEMISTRY TEACHERS TEACHING REMOTELY DUE TO COVID19. TEACHER CAME TOGETHER TO SHARE LESSONS, SHARE THEIR SCHOOL'S INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN, AND MOURN THEIR HANDS-ON LESSONS THAT THEY SPENT YEARS TRYING TO PERFECT. I SAW CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN NEW TEACHERS AND EXPERIENCED TEACHERS AND THEY BOTH SOUNDED NEW. THIS WAS A TRUE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING NETWORK. ACCORDING TO BRIANNA CROWLY'S ARTICLE 3 STEPS FOR BUILDING A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING NETWORK (COWLEY, 2014), A PLN CAN BE FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTIONS, MENTORING, HOLDING CONFERENCES, RESEARCH, CHATTING, AND COLLABORATING (2014). IT IS PERSONAL AND LEADS TO LEARNING AND GROWTH. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING NETWORKS (PLN) ARE NECESSARY TO BUILD KNOWLEDGE ON WHAT THEY ALREADY HAVE.
WHEN I THINK OF PLNS, I THINK OF PLACES I CAN GO WITH PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SOMETHING. IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT PLNS ARE ONLY PLACE THAT HAVE PEOPLE WHO KNOW MORE THAN YOU. SOMETIMES, WE ARE TRYING TO LEARN TOGETHER. SO THE PLNS BELOW CAN HELP INSPIRE YOUR OWN SEARCH OR HELP YOU JOIN A FEW. THE POINT IS TO HELP EDUCATORS SURVIVE AND GROW PROFESSIONALLY STEPPING OUT OF YOUR BUBBLE AND EXPANDING YOUR BUBBLE TO LET IDEAS IN. BELOW IS A COMPILATION OF PLNS THAT INVOLVE WELL-ROUNDED PROGRAMS THAT CAN SUPPORT INNOVATION, CLASSROOM PRACTICES USING TECHNOLOGY, HIGHER LEARNING, AND INSTITUTIONAL NETWORKS:
Innovative Programs
THE FOLLOWING PLNS ARE WELL-ROUNDED PROGRAMS THAT CAN BE USED BY TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS IN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS TO FOSTER INNOVATIVE INSTRUCTION.
NSTA- The National Science Teaching Association:
Promoting instruction innovation in Science
Next Generation Science Standards- The standards provide educators with standards and ideas that allow the implementation of science and engineering. This learning community helps with lesson plans, resources, and assessments that make it easier to practice.
Chemistry Teachers Teaching Remotely due to COVID19-
This private group is for sharing ideas that help teachers effectively teach Chemistry virtually.
New Tech Network New Tech Network is a program I was once a part of that is a network of schools that practice problem-based/project based learning. They assess through 5 learning outcomes and have a culture that is enforced by trust, respect and responsibility. This program has powerful conferences and professional development that will help you grow as a professional.
CTQ- Teaching Quality- A place where teachers and administrators can drive change.
Classroom Practices Using Technology
THE FOLLOWING PLNS ARE MOSTLY FOR TEACHERS. THEY ARE BEST FOR COLLABORATION, SHARING IDEAS, AND PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR BEST TEACHING PRACTICES.
High School Science Teachers..Teaching with Schoology Our district just adopted Schoology and my science team are looking for ideas on how to utilize the new LMS by tranforming our hands-on lessons into interactive virtual lessons.
Chemistry Teachers Teaching Remotely due to COVID19-
This private group is for sharing ideas that help teachers effectively teach Chemistry virtually.
Science Digital INBs Adapting to Virtual Distance Learning can be a challenge. This PLN shares ideas on how to use Interactive Notebooks that are rigorous and engaging. Teachers can share and borrow templates and chat, while administrators can help pass on ideas on to their staff.
National AP Biology Teachers Teacher attend Advanced Placement Institute every year to practice activities and strategies that the are required of the National AP program. Teachers share ideas on how execute labs with little resources or encourage strategies that have worked for them.
Higher Learning
THESE PLNS ARE ABOUT BEING LEARNERS IN EDUCATION.
Learner's Mindset CoP This group focuses on collaborating to enhance learning with technology. These participants are wanting to innovate and create significant learning environments and practice COVA.
Lamar University: EDLD 5344 While taking courses with Lamar University, I joined a group -which was my cohort- that shared questions, ideas, and encouraging thoughts to get through the program. This group was far more helpful, emotionally, than a class discussion. We were honest, caring, and supportive.
Lamar MEd Teacher Leadership Connection This private group is designed to help classmates through Educational Administration at Lamar University
HuffPostEducation- This PLN is a news source for educators. I use it to learn about what is going on in education. I try to see it through the lens of a an administrator and try to find solutions to problems as practice for the future.
Institutional Networks
THESE PLNS ARE MY PERSONAL PLNS
It is not enough to work somewhere. It is more powerful to be a part of team. The are teams that I have been a part of. I used them to share ideas or student work. I asked questions and asked for advice on how to approach topics. I was able to get great feedback from other educators across the country.
What I have learned about PLNs
What I have learned from being a part of professional networks is that you build relationships with other people who are also trying to make a difference. Sometimes people reached out or commented on activities I had done and it made me work harder. I enjoyed sharing the accomplishments of my peers and stamping it with our institutional hashtag, reinforcing our sense of team. Although I had other virtual and distant PLNs, the most influential to my craft were the PLNs that I currently worked with. I believe to spark the most change is by working side-by-side with the people around us, building each other up, and then working our way out of our circles. We must make goals work together to achieve them.
