Professional Learning Networks

Be a Positive Twitter Contributor Educator Tips

Professional Learning Networks Recommendations:

The professional learning networks I have joined are in Twitter, Google Sites and Facebook. I believe professional learning networks are personal communities that you choose to engage in. “The best part of a PLN is that it is personal. A “professional learning network” is ultimately a personal learning network.”-(Crowley, 2014). I am currently engaged in PLN and create content as well through the classroom Twitter and Google Sites I have created. My Twitter handle was previously @kahlacodeteach. It was changed to @SPRINGintoDL once I was hired as a Digital Learning Coach at Wunsche High School in Spring ISD. It is through this account that I follow other educators to learn what is taking place in their classrooms and in their schools. Get advice about numerous educational topics and share content of my own. I follow teachers, administrators, school board members, other school programs and CFISD accounts. I have also created through the NEW Google Sites a classroom website: bit.ly/kahlacodeteach and share information about the courses I teach in the school. It is a public website and does need to be updated but I can so much with this with more time and plan to do so. It is through the NEW Google Sites that I will create my ePortfolio as well. In my personal Facebook, I also am part of communities such as teachers who are running/fitness. I am part of this group because it is educators that have built a community around staying healthy and sharing advice/motivation. As a member of these communities, I have contributed input and my own content. I share what is taking place in my classroom. However, I can improve on the classroom website.

In CFISD, there are several PLN networks to be apart of. Two years ago, I was part of PLN that was learning how to incorporate Microsoft Suite in their classrooms. It was a great learning experience and I am still part of the group but it is not as active anymore. They also offer a district wide Digital Learning Conference where we stay in contact with people we met or speakers we saw through Twitter. There is also a Twitter meeting place on Mondays from @CFISDchat where they ask questions to educators and you can engage in conversation online. I have also been part of the Code.org PLN where I learned how to incorporate computer science in my classroom and have gone on to help others teachers in my district at the middle school level. We stay in touch through email and Google Drive. Google Drive is the best because we can share lessons/activities and strategic resources.

I do contribute to the PLN’s I am in by sharing input, content and resources. When I share input/feedback, I do so with the intent to help. I also create new ways to engage students that I love sharing with my PLN so they can use in their own classrooms. At Kahla Middle School, we were awarded in Fall 2019 for being a campus that is engaged on Twitter within CFISD. We use a new hashtag every year. Last year it was” #buildingtobebest, this year it is #choosethechallenge. I enjoy this PLN because I get to learn what is taking place across the campus when other teachers share. The overall benefit of PLN is that I get to know peer educators, learn from them and feel that I am contributing myself. PLN are the best to keeping your skills fresh and getting new ideas.

Twitter: @SPRINGintoDL

Website: bit.ly/kahlacodeteach

Feel free to follow my Twitter and I will follow back! Let’s start a PLN together.

References

Crowley, B. (2014, December 31). 3 Steps for Building a Professional Learning Network . Retrieved from Education Week Teacher : https://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/12/31/3-steps-for-building-a-professional-learning.html