Professional Learning Networks
Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) allow teachers to tap into the wealth of teaching tools, methods, and strategies available. People have PLNs without even realizing it. The staff at your school, mailing lists, e-mail subscriptions, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest are all examples of teachers growing professionally through their PLNs. Below, you will find a few high-tech examples of growing your PLN even more!
What is a PLN?
Twitter Resources
Twitter is an extremely valuable resource in regards to expanding your PLN.
Scroll through the documents below for information about how to get started on Twitter!! |
RSS Readers
RSS readers (also known as 'feed readers') are another great way to improve your PLN. RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication." In essence, feed readers act as your personal magazine of blogs, newspapers, and other sources of info that are frequently updated. Add a blog to your feed reader and you will see it in your feed everytime a new post is created. This allows you to sit back while the information is aggregated and sent to you, rather than having to actively go out and search for information. Your feed reader is personalized so only the topics that you want to see will show up. See below for information about getting started with a feed reader.
Feedly
Feedly is the RSS reader that we recommend you use. There are other RSS readers out there, but we have found Feedly to be the most user friendly product on the market. It's free and incredibly intuitive to use. Take the Feedly Challenge below to become a Feedly expert!
Education Blogs by Content
Once you get your RSS reader set up, you will want to begin adding blogs to it. I compare this with planting seeds in a garden. Below, you will find a list of teacher blogs by content to get you started. Some tips about finding sources for your RSS reader:
1. Read a blog post/article before you add it to your reader. If it is something you enjoy, add it! Don't add sources that you won't read as this will clutter up your RSS reader.
2. Make sure the blog is current before adding it. If the last post was from December of 2013 it might not be the best to add to your RSS reader. This means that the blog is no longer active. Most blogs will have the last date published at the top of the last post.
3. Organize your sources! Feedly is great because it lets you create categories. You might want an "Ed Tech" category that is separate from your "Education" or "Science" category. This helps streamline your information. PLNs aren't just about professional development either. You can create a category for everything. If you like photography, find a few blogs about photography to add to your Feedly. Even amazing Argyle educators need a break from school stuff once in a while!
1. Read a blog post/article before you add it to your reader. If it is something you enjoy, add it! Don't add sources that you won't read as this will clutter up your RSS reader.
2. Make sure the blog is current before adding it. If the last post was from December of 2013 it might not be the best to add to your RSS reader. This means that the blog is no longer active. Most blogs will have the last date published at the top of the last post.
3. Organize your sources! Feedly is great because it lets you create categories. You might want an "Ed Tech" category that is separate from your "Education" or "Science" category. This helps streamline your information. PLNs aren't just about professional development either. You can create a category for everything. If you like photography, find a few blogs about photography to add to your Feedly. Even amazing Argyle educators need a break from school stuff once in a while!