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Every Teacher Should Have a Personal Learning Network

Modern technology has made it easy for teachers to create a personal learning network through social media and other online communities. Teachers without one are missing out on all of the benefits a personal learning network brings. Not convinced? I found an infographic listing 10 different reasons you should have your own network, and I decided to share it here. I watch social media closely and it's my job to share some of the hot topics on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and other outlets that teachers, principals, students, and parents are contributing.

The infographic below, posted by Dan McCabe on his Twitter account and created by Sylvia Duckworth, provides 10 reasons every teacher should have a personal learning network. These reasons include things that will help both you and your students. After reading this list, you'll be racing to the nearest computer to start creating your own network. You can see the infographic below.

As you can see, having your own network helps keep you inspired and supported by fellow educators, generates new ideas for your classroom, and helps you keep connected with parents and students in addition to countless other benefits. If you want to learn more about why teachers join personal learning networks, then follow this link.

What are some benefits you've received from having your own network? How did you make your network? Do you have your own network?
Tori Pakizer is the Social Media Editor at SimpleK12.com. She writes regularly about the use of educational technology in K-12 classrooms, and specializes in how teachers use Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and other social media. You can follow Tori and SimpleK12 on Twitter @SimpleK12. If you have ideas for using social media in schools, please send your information or tip to editor@simplek12.com.

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10 Reasons Teachers Need a Personal Learning Network

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Modern technology has made it easy for teachers to create a personal learning network through social media and other online communities. Teachers without one are missing out on all of the benefits a personal learning network brings. Not convinced? I found an infographic listing 10 different reasons you should have your own network, and I decided to share it here.

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What is a PLN - Marc-André Lalande's take

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I'm a new teacher, returning to relief / substitute teaching after 3 months in (several) classrooms.

My PLN has changed the way I learn, and the way I teach, for the better. Yet, I am still to meet a new teacher in my part of the world who's ever heard of, or has a PLN.

Perhaps this post will help to change that.

Why you should begin your own PLN - Ashley Azzopardi (@ashleyazzopardi)

Defining the Personal Learning Network

As a quick Google search will show, there is a wealth of information already written and shared about Personal Learning Networks available online. So, in writing this post, I've drawn upon the collective expertise and thoughts of my own PLN. (A big thankyou goes to @mwedwards and @ashleyazzopardi in particular for your help with this post).
So, what does it mean to have a PLN?

Imagine being able to walk into a room filled with the very best education professionals, selected by YOU, and having a conversation with them!

It can be as long or as short as you want, and as in-depth as you have time for. Perhaps you might discuss ways to teach various concepts, learn about resources that others are using, or maybe even have conversations that challenge the way you think about education and teaching.

This is exactly what a Personal Learning Network (PLN) can bring to you!"

Ann Carnevale in Break Down Walls, Build Up A Community [italics added]

To me, this is the essence of my Personal Learning Network -

Connecting, Mentoring, Sharing and Learning

Building a PLN
People go about building or growing their PLN in different ways. I personally started by talking to my real-world colleagues; moved to blogging about my experiences; took the plunge with Twitter; met @clivesir and well, the rest is history!

Your PLN is shaped by YOUR interests, learning needs, technical skills, and ultimately, your contribution. Building a PLN doesn't happen overnight, but in time, it can fundamentally change your teaching practice (see this excellent post from @InnovativeEdu). Truly, "from little things, big things grow".

I've included a couple of useful videos which may make the PLN building process a little clearer; however, if you have some advice / experiences to share, please leave a comment! Your contributions are most welcome!

How to build a PLN? from Elena Elliniadou on Vimeo.

Ann Carnevale -Personal Learning Networks (shared by @mwedwards)

Coming Up: "The People of my PLN"
Seeking your Contributions!
Dear PLN: The concept of a Personal Learning Network / PLN is not well known in my part of Western Australia, and I'd like to create a PLN VoiceThread to share with prospective employers later this year.

I'm interested in learning more about the "real people" who make up my PLN, and exploring how PLNs influence us as people, and as educators. I'd also love to know if / how my inclusion in your PLN (via blogging and Twitter) has helped or inspired your own teaching and learning.

You can find the "The People of My PLN" Voicethread here (I plan to embed it in a subsequent post).

With your support, I hope to be able to better explain and share the benefits of having a PLN with my colleagues and prospective employers. Thankyou.

Further Reading

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Why you should begin your own PLN - Ashley Azzopardi (@ashleyazzopardi) Defining the Personal Learning Network As a quick Google search will show, there is a wealth of information already written and shared about Personal Learning Networks available online. So, in writing this post, I've drawn upon the collective expertise and thoughts of my own PLN.

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Guest blogger Tom Whitby, a 40-year veteran of the teaching profession and an extremely connected educator, offers some basic, practical wisdom about what a PLN is and how to get one.