I was lucky enough to be shown the importance of a PLN in college. My PLN is the reason why I am the teacher that I am. The Twitter PLN community has been the most supportive and helpful. Twitter is a space where I can throw out an idea, add a hashtag, mention others and get a response and feedback within the day. Twitter is a space where I can share my ideas and where I can showcase what my campus and students are doing.
Through Twitter, I have met others who have pushed me to share my ideas with others. I heard that there was an EdCamp on Twitter, I went to the EdCamp in Navasota with another educator. At that EdCamp, I met two of my previous colleagues and was offered a job to open a new innovative campus. I have met 2 of my friends, Megan Puckett @aggiepuckett and Christine Morgan @ms_morgan15 through Twitter. We recognized we had so much to share and a common mindset. We decided to start #TGIEdTech where we are presenting at conferences and sharing our love of edtech. Megan and I are also starting a Podcast to share how to teach Gen Z.
Through my PLNs, I have learned that I have a passion for sharing and teaching teachers. Everyone on Twitter has been so helpful and pushing me to do more and share more. Without my PLN, I would not be the educator and leader I am today, nor would I have the confidence to share my story and learning with others. There is no reason to be an island in our world today. PLNs help us grow as educators for our students.
Twitter has changed the way educators have learned. If you are not on Twitter, I do not know how you are learning in this digital era. Twitter is full of encouraging educators. It allows you to be connected with educators outside your school and not be an island. You can follow me at @kendremilburn and through #edulodeon and #TGIEdTech
I used to think that blogging was something for veteran teachers only and that I did not have anything to contribute to the conversation of education. It took a couple of members of my #PLN to change my mind and show me that I do have advice and information to offer others. I started my own personal blog, I was good at posting a couple of years ago, but I have fallen off.
Through the magic of Twitter, I connected with 2 educators in my district with a similar teaching philosophy. We started #TGIEdTech: Just a Few Millennial Girls making their way in an EdTech World. We present together about our experiences and EdTech. This site is a work in progress and we are going to start rotating blogging on our site.
Kasey Bell has an amazing blog that "provides educators with practical resources using today's technology". It includes" how-to's, free resources, online courses, lesson plans and more! She is very active on Twitter at @shakuplearning
Eric Sheninger was a consultant for my previous campus. He is a wealth of knowledge and "his main focus is using research and evidence-based practices to empower learners, improve communications with stakeholders, enhance public relations, create a positive brand presence, discover opportunity, transform learning spaces, and help educators grow professionally in the digital age."
Alice Keeler was one of the first members of my PLN. Even though she has thousands of followers, if I tweet at her she responds pretty quickly to any questions I have. She is a high school math teacher in California and blogs about edtech and ideas on how to implement in your classroom.
This is a 30-40 minute podcast hosted by Kasey Bell, @shakeuplearning and Matt Miller, @mattjmiller. This focuses on Google Tools and how to implement Google in your classroom.
Jake Miller (@jakemillertech) hosts. "The Educational Duct Tape Podcast focuses on viewing #edtech as a tool used to meet goals, address learning standards and solve problems in the classroom, much as duct tape is used as a tool that solves a plethora of problems in our lives."
Vicki Davis(@coolcateacher) hosts. "The 10 Minute Teacher is a 5-day-a-week podcast that will help you become a better, more inspiring teacher who inspires children to learn and grow. The 10 Minute Teacher is your ten minute PD breakaway!"
I am a Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2. Prior to becoming a certified educator, I was a part of a Google Cadre in my school district. This is where I first started learning about the magic of Google and how it can transform student empowerment in the classroom. You can become Google Certified and learn the ins and outs of @GoogleforEducation
This is a Facebook group that connects educators around the US. Members will post questions and you can contribute with your ideas, or just lurk around finding ideas!
Once a month we meet as a team to discuss our learning network. We collaboratively put together a monthly newsletter. The topics of the newsletters talk about how to meaningfully integrate technology. Some of the topics we have discussed are MakerSpace, Accessibility, VR/AR, and Gamification. We also have a monthly webinar where we bring in experts to talk to our PLN.
#edcamps are my FAVORITE way to learn. There are tons of different edcamps in areas around the world. They are the “unconferences” click on the button to learn about #edcamps in your area!