I created my Personal Learning Network (PLN) during my first
year teaching in Waller ISD in August of 2015. My principal asked us, the
faculty, to sign up for a social studies project where we would create a PLN on
Twitter and post four (4) tweets every month, two of which had to be
technology-related and integrated in our lessons. “Why?” I asked myself. I had
already anticipated a tough year as a first-year teacher in a first grade
bilingual self-contained classroom. I did not need more on my plate. Well, turns
out, it was not as difficult as I thought.
The first step was creating the account— “easy-peasy” as my
students say. It was a professional account, so it had to have a professional
or at least appropriate profile picture. I wrote “I teach 1st grade bilingual
at RRE. What is your superpower?” as my short biographical statement. And that
was that.
Follow me on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/IsauraHerrera92
The second step was following my PLN buddies, in other
words, my principal and other administrators and colleagues and other staff
members. These were the people that were going to “witness” my fulfillment of
the project. At this point, I was still in a mindset where it was more work
rather than personal and professional development. I didn’t know many people,
but eventually, my number in followers began to expand to not only my school,
but also the school district, including other school principals. This was more
of a natural process.
The third step was following professional peers, organizations,
and companies related to education, especially, those that encouraged technology-related
education practices. This is where I became a member in several learning
communities.
Microsoft in Education
As many know, Microsoft is one of the leading companies in
technology products, innovations, and practices. They are also one of the leaders
in education technology in the classroom. I follow their Twitter page because
of their tips and resources that they provide for students and educators. A lot
of their tweets show and explain diverse and fascinating ways of using their
applications in schools and classrooms. For example, their latest tweet
explains eight (8) strategies for English Language Learner (ELL) and Special Education
(SPED) students using one of their applications, OneNote.
EdSurge
EdSurge is an information resource and community for
everyone involved in education technology. They provide learning strategies,
research, tips, summits, podcasts and other valuable information regarding practices
in education and education technology. I follow their Twitter page because of
the input they receive and share from not only educators, but also from
students. One of the best ways to transform and revolutionize our instructional
practices using technology is by taking into account student opinions and
experiences. EdSurge gives us that. This article gives us, educators, a little
hint: https://www.edsurge.com/news/2016-05-05-what-students-really-think-of-their-teachers-when-it-comes-to-edtech-and-learning?utm_content=buffer61697&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
EdTech K-12 Magazine
EdTech K-12 Magazine explores technology and education
issues that IT leaders and educators face. They provide insight on topics on
business intelligence, classroom, cloud, collaboration, data center, hardware,
internet, management, mobility, networking, security, and software. This is a
more technology-centered company where experienced IT leaders and educators can
benefit from. This article, http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2016/05/how-integrate-google-apps-rigor-relevance-framework,
for example, explains how we can use Google applications without them being a
distraction to our students.
Teachers 21
Teachers 21 is an organization that provides their professional
approach for “improved and inspired learning.” You can view their interactive framework
here: http://www.teachers21.org/approach.
Although Teachers 21 is not as centered on technology as the others, it does
provide an insightful view on instructional practices that will guide the
educator towards a proactive classroom full of eager students. They target areas
such as district planning, content, leadership, culture, teaching and learning
(pedagogy), professional development, and supporting specialists.
https://twitter.com/21stCenturyTch and https://twitter.com/Teachers21 and http://www.teachers21.org/
Edutopia
Edutopia is an organization that looks to improve public
schools with resources, tools, and solutions for teachers, administrators, and
parents. I follow this learning community because it enables me to become a
better teacher to my students, teammate to my colleagues, and employee to my
principal and superintendent. It also promotes learning practices that have
been tested and approved, encourages the integration of technology in the
classroom, and provides students with enjoyable and applicable learning experiences.
Of all the learning communities I have mentioned, I believe this one to be the
most teacher-friendly without an overwhelming amount of information.
After almost a year, I am still in the beginning stages of
being a member in my professional learning communities. Being a member not only
constitutes joining communities, but also sharing and creating within them. So
far, I can say that I have joined and shared a lot of what these learning
communities have shared with me. My next step is becoming active and creating
within my professional learning communities. This might take a while…
References
EdTech K-12 Magazine. (2016). Retrieved from https://twitter.com/EdTech_K12 and http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/
Herrera, Isaura. (2015). Twitter. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/IsauraHerrera92
Madda, M.
J. & Levitt, M. (2016). What
Students Really Think of Their Teachers When It Comes to Edtech and Learning.
EdSurge. Retrieved from https://www.edsurge.com/news/2016-05-05-what-students-really-think-of-their-teachers-when-it-comes-to-edtech-and-learning?utm_content=buffer61697&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Microsoft in Education. (2016). Retrieved from https://twitter.com/Microsoft_EDU and
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education
Sheninger, E. & Kieschnick, W. (2016). How to Integrate Google Apps with the Rigor
Relevance Framework. EdTech K-12 Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2016/05/how-integrate-google-apps-rigor-relevance-framework
Teachers 21. (2016). Retrieved from https://twitter.com/21stCenturyTch
and https://twitter.com/Teachers21
and http://www.teachers21.org/ and http://www.teachers21.org/approach
