I used to be this:
But, now, thanks to my PLN, I am this (and therefore, such a better teacher):
I first joined Twitter about two years ago, but like many, I gave up for six months, then tried again. During the last year and a half, my teaching and professional sharing has changed dramatically because of my PLN. So, here are the answers to one of the questions that Alec Couros suggested we blog about:
- What does my PLN look like? My PLN:
- is an informal group of people that I learn with and from
- lives on Twitter and extends to the blogosphere
- is my daily Professional Development
- is a supportive group
- communicates with me via Twitter, Google Docs, and email
- encourages me (I presented at my first conference last fall because a member of my PLN encouraged me to – thanks @fravan)
- has changed what I do on a daily basis during the last year and a half
- challenges my beliefs about teaching Spanish (I have come to dislike traditional methods and now want to do CI, TPRS, and music!)
- shares amazing ideas and lesson plans
- shares authentic resources (I am a Spanish teacher)
- shares undeveloped ideas that I take, change, enhance, and use in the classroom
- takes my ideas, makes them better and shares them again
- exposes me to (and reminds me of) national standards, proficiency levels and the most current methodology
- makes me love my job
- teaches me
- keep me open minded
- is a group of colleagues that make me strive for excellence
- Maybe I would have gotten to where I am without my PLN, but it might have taken 5-10 years and another master’s degree, instead of 1 and a half and daily Professional Development.
- The second part of the quesiton is: How can I share it?
- I can (and do) share my PLN by welcoming and encouraging new members to my PLN. I remember being new and the many people who were so open, and I want to help people have the same wonderful PLN that I have.
- Here is are some ideas from the #etmooc Blackboard Collaborate session on Monday, January 21:
- My PLN is Cognitive Surplus. If you haven’t seen this Ted Talk by Clay Shirky about Cognitive Surplus, I highly recommend it! I re-listened to it on my run this morning.