PLN

Professional Learning Networks

PLC or "professional learning community" was the buzzword of the last decade or so in education. Every school I have been a member of in any capacity has made it their goal to be a "model PLC". I have become very familiar with what a PLC is, the benefits of having one, and how a successful one runs. It was not until this course, EDU776, that I had heard of a PLN, or a "professional learning network". Hearing this new teaching lingo made me curious as to how a professional learning network is any different from a professional learning community. After doing some research to find out the distinction between the two, I came across creative learning strategist Barbara Bray's blog post on the very topic. In her blog post, Barbara Bray establishes that a PLN, or a professional learning network can help you meet your personal and/or professional goals, whereas a PLC, or a professional learning community, is where you focus on student learning. I find this distinction to be very important to understand for all educators, because of how necessary it is for these two areas of professional growth to coexist in the lives of all teachers. We often focus on student growth and heavily push the advancement of PLC in schools, yet we do not talk about teacher growth nearly as often. In my opinion, I truly believe that the existence of professional learning networks allow for the success of professional learning communities. In other words, teacher growth will directly lead to student growth. 

Furthering my research on professional learning networks, I came across an Edutopia article titled, Building Your Professional Learning Network. This article, written by Rachelle Dene Poth, spoke on the importance of educators joining professional learning networks for more than just the professional growth aspect. Poth speaks on how education can be an isolating career where teachers often feel unsupported. This feeling of isolation can lead to feelings of burnout, and oftentimes cause great educators to change careers. Poth discusses how PLNs are great places for individuals to grow as educators, but also for educators to get the support that they may not be getting at their schools. 

Professional learning networks come in many different forms, and many times educators do not even realize that they are actively engaging in professional learning networks on a daily basis. Some examples of PLNs include social media groups, or other online platforms such as webinars or online conferences. I work with many teachers who actively engage in professional learning networks through their Facebook accounts. Many members of my social studies department regularly speak on the new teaching strategies that they have learned on their history teacher Facebook groups. These professional learning networks, such as this US History Teachers Facebook group are fantastic places for educators to share what they do, learn what others do, and even laugh at the occasional history meme. Although I do not actively engage with social media, I have heavily considered making a Facebook account strictly for the benefits of the professional learning networks available to educators. 

Source: Blog Author

I compiled five resources for educators to use as professional learning networks. I have used, or regularly use 2-3 of these professional learning networks for my own personal and professional growth as an educator. As mentioned earlier, although I do not personally use Facebook, many of my colleagues swear by the educational Facebook groups that they are members of. They regularly share new ideas from the Facebook groups that they actively take part in. I myself am an active Reddit user who closely follows the r/Teachers subreddit. This subreddit consists of a community of educators who use the space to actively share teaching strategies, seek advice from other educators, post funny teaching content, or simply complain. I find myself regularly returning to this professional learning network as a place for growth as an educator and an individual. The last two resources are both professional learning networks for history educators who are seeking professional development focusing on their content. Gildern Lehrman and Facing History are two PLNs that I have personally used to improve upon my teaching strategies.

Citations: 

1.) Bray, B., Barbara BrayBarbara Bray is a story weaver capturing stories from inspirational people about insightful journeys to discover their purpose. As a creative learning strategist, Barbara Bray is a story weaver capturing stories from inspirational people about insightful journeys to discover their purpose. As a creative learning strategist, Use your PLN to help your PLC to become a CoP | Communautés de pratiques | Scoop.it, d’Anna, M. E. | B., Use your PLN to help your PLC to become a CoP |..., & Día 5: PLE y PLN | El blog de Thomas Chaurin : nacimiento de un homo digitalis. (2011, July 29). Your PLN helps your plc become a cop - rethinking learning. Rethinking Learning - Define Your WHY Through Stories. https://barbarabray.net/2011/06/23/your-pln-helps-your-plc-become-a-cop/ 

2.) Poth, R. D. (2023, July 28). Building your professional learning network. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/professional-learning-networks-teachers/ 

3.) US History Teachers. Facebook. (n.d.). https://www.facebook.com/ushistoryteachers/