Where Socialnetworking and the PLN Meet
There has recently been quite a bit of discussion of late about PLNs and their importance both within the blogging community (N2Teaching, sharon_elin, kmulford, nnorris, etc.) as well as on social networking sites such as Plurk. Eavesdropping and participating in conversations with teachers who are already in the field (some fairly new, some well-seasoned veterans) really has been an eye-opening experience.
(Uploaded to Flickr on April 17, 2005 by GustavoG)
It seems that one of the themes amongst these discussions relates to how the PLN (Personal Learning Network), particularly those portions of the network that have been formed in the virtual world of social networking, creates a tight-knit group of education professionals who are willing to share and learn from one another in ways that far exceed that of their RL (real life or real world) counterparts.
While I think it is incredible that we have had the opportunity to search-out one another and have been able to learn and grow from one another (often by leaps and bounds), at the same time I am saddened by the fact that more of the colleagues that we spend time with on a daily basis do not seem to be interested in the many benefits that have been created through the very bonds that we have been successful in forming.
As a pre-service teacher it is especially frustrating to me that my fellow students, the future participants in the educational realm, seem to see little relevance (for those who are even aware of the existance of the PLN) in creating a life long learning network of professionals who will help them along the way as difficult challenges and amazing possibilities cross their paths. There are times that I would love to shout from the roof tops precisely how essential my network is becoming to me. But, sometimes it seems like no one is listening…
At the same time, I feel fortunate to have discovered this seemingly guarded secret. If I had to share my growing PLN with all of their colleagues and all the students who are Education majors throughout the world…well, it would certainly be chaotic, wouldn’t it?
August 7th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Mindelei, it can be frustrating when we are so excited at all we learn and share with our PLN’s on the net but those in our workplace can’t see it.
Today I gave an informal workshop on joining and using pageflakes. I told staff that they could email me or catch me in real time (on twitter/plurk) if they were frustrated and needed help troubleshooting. At the moment they said they could only get their heads around one app at a time (which is fair enough).
These teachers are my friends so we already have a good relationship so I guess that makes it easier for me to perhaps influence them to be open to it – maybe after they become familiar with spending time online. I can only hope.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:28 am
I’m just glad that you “get it” and I believe it will make a big difference in your teaching. You will shine above the others who just don’t seem to want to “get it” and this will make you a valuable asset to any place that hires you!
August 7th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
From one blogger to another, thank you for your willingness to step into the education field – first, just thanks for becoming an educator! But secondly, thank you for your readiness to use and promote the powerful resource that Web 2.0 sites offer. Creating and maintaining professional learning communities is crucial in teaching, a profession in which the attrition rate is horribly alarming. Teachers need to support each other and share ideas and resources. The days of teaching like an island behind a closed door are done — we’ll wither and implode upon ourselves if we try to do it alone. With online communities such as Plurk and ning, opportunities to connect and share with others extend past our buildings, beyond our towns/cities, and into the world. Good luck with your teaching career!
August 7th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I cannot tell you ladies how much it means to me that each of you took a moment from your busy day to stop by my blog and not only read it but also to offer advice and feedback.
Grace ~ I can only hope your colleagues continue to thrive on the technology that you are sharing with them. Together we will all advance to something wonderful.
Pat ~ I appreciate your kind words and hope that my future school is able to see that as well.
Sharon ~ Thank you for your insight into this state of flux that we are in the midst of as we endeavor to discover our true potentials and that which we will share with our students.
Have a wonderful week ladies!
Mindelei
August 12th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Your students will need you and appreciate you ALL THE MORE for sharing the 21st century with them. ONWARD!!!
August 12th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Thanks Skip!