Professional Learning Networks

Professional Learning Networks

Over the last few weeks, I have been learning more about different professional learning networks or (PLNs). PLNs are ways to connect with other educators about different topics or similar interests. They could be at your school, at a conference, or on social media.  

Twitter 

                                                        Image Source: TechCrunch.com 

One of the most popular PLN is Twitter.  Believe it or not, up until a few weeks ago I did not have a Twitter account.  I never felt comfortable having one because I always felt it was just a place to vent to other people in the world.  I wanted to stay far away from any drama related to politics or celebrities.  

A few weeks ago, I pulled the trigger and created a Twitter account, @a_mekeel.  I will be honest I had no idea what I was doing and I didn't even know where to begin.  I started off by Googling some educational organizations I might like to follow.  What I realized is as soon as I began to add people or organizations to follow, more would be suggested to me.  I spent a few days just picking people and organizations to follow.  The following are just a few organizations that I picked.

@NCTMResources

@Flipgrid

@MathEdLeaders

@ExploringESL

@ESL Expat

@MathResources

@TeacherHub

@ITSE

@teachlearning

@well4edu

@WeAreTeachers

All of the organizations I chose to follow are related to what I teach (Math, ESL, & Tech). 

Twitter Chat
Last week I also participated in my first Twitter Chat, #mschat.  This chat was specifically for middle school teachers.  I was VERY nervous.  I felt everyone was going to know that I was a first-time Twitter user and it was my first time participating in a Twitter Chat.  I wanted to blend and fit it. Leading up to the chat I participate in, I watched a few take place.  I did this so I could see what a chat was like and what I needed to do.  The following are some of the questions asked during the chat and my responses.  

                                            Image Source: Personal Twitter

Experience

At times it was hard for me to keep up with the chat and all of the responses that were coming in.  People started replying to my posts and started asking me questions that I began responding to. I got sidetracked and at one point didn't answer some of the other questions being asked.  The following are some of the questions I was asked and my replies. 

                        Image Source: Personal Twitter

I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the chat.  It was nice to talk to other middle school teachers and see how they were feeling about this year.  Since it was the first chat that I participated in, it gave me the confidence I need to participate in more.  I know this sounds crazy but I didn't realize that Twitter was a great place where teachers could share ideas and collaborate.  

Educational Resource

I've realized that there is more to Twitter than I originally thought. It is an excellent place to talk with other teachers and collect resources related to educational topics. I tried to spend at least 5-10 minutes each day reading through my feed looking for things that I felt I could benefit from. There were some days where I just didn't have time or just wasn't in the mood.  

Over the last few weeks, I have found some great resources related to what I teach.  One that I would like to share is 8 Resources for Teaching About Hispanic Heritage.  This resource was originally posted by ITSE International Society for Technology in Education.

Image Source: Personal Twitter

I found this resource to be extremely helpful because we're currently in National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th- October 15th).  I don't feel like my school teaches enough about Hispanic Heritage considering more than 85% of my students are Hispanic. One of the 8 resources is a link to The Hispanic Museum and Library. I plan to incorporate a lesson into my 8th grade Social Studies class where the students can take a virtual field trip and explore some of the exhibits there.