Personal Learning Network Reflections

PERSONAL LEARNING NETWORK REFLECTIONS 

As I type this I am reminded about the advantages of Personal Learning Networks, or PLN's, that I have come to know and had the opportunity to put into practice.  Lauren Davis, in her article on Teacher Collaboration, cites that effective collaboration is enhanced by growing PLN's.  She states, "the more people that are involved in a student's education, the more of a chance that student has to be successful." 

I have learned that a thriving PLN includes not just the classroom teacher, but multiple other stakeholders.  However, your network can begin with classroom teachers because that can build a base for your PLN.  Knowledge can be shared amongst classroom teachers and other school faculty that can yield positive results within the school, but if that is where your PLN ends, then educators are missing its true potential.  

PLN membership can include stakeholders from outside the school, such as parents, guardians, civic leaders, and business owners from the surrounding community.  By involving these groups, you can increase positive communication and gain more insights into things that might be more beneficial to the overall "big picture."  My plan is to support the concept of promoting the ideas of an educational team that works to benefit all students within the school.  

Another group to consider making a part of your PLN are educators from all over the U.S. and even around the world.  Technology provides the ability to connect in real time with these educators to share various techniques and strategies.  When you broaden your PLN, you have access to more problem-solving methods that can help you locally.  You can also share your own experiences in an attempt to help someone else. My intention is to grow this element of my PLN using the tools that I have learned.