PLN’s, Twitter Teaching Communities, & Online Chats
The professional learning networks I am a part of include Twitter, Google Connected Classroom, and one Facebook group called "Encouraging Teachers."
The Facebook group can be pretty encouraging but also discouraging if people get on there to vent. Because Facebook allows for characters in the posts, people will tend to write a lot which sometimes leads to griping.
Google Connected Classroom
I typically use Google Connected Classroom on Google Plus to connect with other teachers who might want their classes to do a Google Hangout or blog with mine. Through Google Connected Classroom, I have made connections with English teacher/Edmodo ambassador Kate Baker(also on Twitter) and was able to get Edmodo to kick off about 3-4 years ago in my English department. With Google Connected Classroom, a teacher can find virtual field trips for their students to explore or just collaborate on global projects! To get connected in Google Classroom go to this link: Google Connected Classroom
Several years ago, I remember someone talking about how addicted to Twitter he was. I was like "what the heck is Twitter?" It wasn't until 2011 that I created my Twitter account, and the only reason I did, was to see if Will I Am would take and tweet a picture of some of my Anna HS dance students performing at the Superbowl. Unfortunately, his phone lost service during the performance, so he was unable to tweet. Boo!
Another year would go by before I accessed my Twitter account again. I attended a TCTELA convention and the keynote speaker said to make sure to tweet responses or quotes during her presentations and to hashtag #TCTELA. At that point, I didn't know what a "hashtag" was, but I noticed that other tweets had #TCTELA next to them, so I followed along. I remember thinking, "collaborating with all of these other teachers is really cool!"
Another year passed, which brings us to now, and I have to say that Twitter has rejuvenated my passion for educational professional development. I have been using it to connect with hundreds of other teachers and administrators across the state and nation via twitter chats. I have learned so much from these amazing educators. I feel like I participate in professional development that is worth my time every Sunday night from 8-9 when I type in #txeduchat http://txeduchat.com/ or on Tuesday night from 8-9 when I type in #teachwritingchat http://teachwritingchat.org/. There are chats for every subject area! Basically what happens is a host will lead the chat and post about five questions:
For instance, Q1: Describe the importance of creating community within schools.#txedchat
Then I respond: A1: It helps create a healthy work atmosphere for both the Ts and Ss. #txedchat
Q2: How do we create communities within our schools? #txedchat A2: etc...#txedchat (Then you get all of these wonderful ideas from ppl all over the state or nation!)
I remember participating in the chat about belonging to a school community and thinking about how motivating it was just to be a part of a passionate Twitter teacher community, plus I always come away learning about new technology sources, what works and what doesn't work in other school communities!
Twitter is by far my favorite learning network. Some good educators to follow are @alicekeeler, @coolcatteacher, @gcouros, @awelcome, @ShakeUpLearning @TechNinjaTodd, @kevinhoneycutt, and my very own district technology coordinator and my very own district technology coordinator @MindiVandagriff. I think that having a PLN outside of whatever district is important because it allows one to venture outside of their school and district walls to collaborate and learn.Being able to converse in Twitter chats and see others' posts has really transformed my mindset and perspective. I feel like I am constantly learning. Plus if it had not been for Twitter, I would not have ever connected with @jabellpepper who I have been able to do a global collaborative project with this year. He is a pro at making Twitter connections to schedule Google Hangouts/Skypes with which has led to some REALLY cool experiences I have had with my classes talking with professionals.
At EdCamps and Region 10 Tech Con, I have been able to make connections with some other great Twitter Ed Peeps who I now network with. Most of them present at TCEA, TXGOO, etc. which I know are experts at certain tools. I have one connection who I know is an expert in Adobe Spark, so just last week I was able to tweet him asking a question about embedding youtube into Adobe Spark which then helped someone else. Last week, I Twitter messaged a couple of instructional coaches and a director of library services in Garland ISD, a tech director in Tucson ISD, an ELA instructional coach in Richardson ISD, and a teacher at one of the tech schools in Richardson ISD to get advice about the use of tech tools. All of them were happy and even excited to respond and help because they are part of my PLN...I would do the same for them! I find that my PLN not only wants to grow themselves but wants others in their PLN to grow as well. They share a common collaborative spirit of growth mindset! I think that when an educator surrounds themselves with people of this mindset, it makes such a difference in one's attitude.
So if you don't already have a Twitter account, then I encourage you to make one and get connected with other teachers who have the same passion as you do! If you do already have an account, then make sure you follow my Twitter handle aka @tech_ela_burk!
Here is another great article about the role of Twitter in professional development: Teaching the Teachers:The Role of Twitter in Professional Development
Why is it important to get connected?
Because of participating in various PLN’s and connecting to other great educators, discussing what works and what doesn’t work, I have gone from being the teacher who cannot wait for every break to occur with a fixed mindset to the teacher who actually said, "I don't want to go on Thanksgiving break because I am having too much fun with experimenting with new strategies and with what we are doing in class." This last statement is my teacher testimony, honestly! I wouldn't be in this place if it were not for my PLN.
Being connected in the edtech world is a must because this is how we will learn and grow! There are way too many tech tools that come out so if we are all working together, we could save time and get the tips without having to test every new tool out!
