PLN Tic-Tac-Toe

My PLN Experiences

This week I got to focus back on my Professional Learning Networks (PLN). Before a previous class, I had no idea that I was a member of any sort of PLN. After learning what a PLN can be, I found that I was participating as a lurker. I had a Pinterest where I searched for others people's posts and sometimes reposted. I also had a personal Instagram where I would lurk on other teachers and teacher Instagram accounts.

After learning what a PLN was, I began to take a more active role in my PLNs. I created a professional Twitter account, and slowly began interacting with other accounts. I began interacting a little with teacher Instagram accounts as well. I still don't believe that I have climbed up very high on the Seven Degrees of Consecutiveness. I would say that I am a novice now.

Why I use a PLN? 

There are many different reasons that teachers participate in PLNs. It could be for social, affective, cognitive, or identity reasons. For me, the main reason that I participate is for cognitive reasons. Through the use of PLNs, I am exposed to new teaching ideas and resources that I can use in my classroom. When I go to my PLNs I'm normally looking for something specific to solve a problem or use in my teaching. I also really like using PLNs so that I can be reflective. As an educator I find myself very reflective and by looking at what other teachers are doing I can improve my teaching. It is something that I was taught to do back in my undergraduate education program at Marquette and continues today. 

Tic-Tac-Toe

The activity that I chose to take part in this week was on Pinterest. I have used Pinterest many times in the past, but haven't been relying on it lately for ideas. I decided that an area that I needed more ideas for was anchor charts. My entire class is EL students. They and I both love a good anchor chart. The visual information is so beneficial for EL students because a lot of times they need to see things before they understand. I think I could step up my anchor chart game, so I decided to make and anchor chart board. 

My anchor chart board (Photo Credit) 

Being able to look at how other teachers have visually organized information gives me so many ideas for anchor charts that I want to create for my classroom. I always create some with the students as we learn, but it is nice to have some up all year round. Posting things they are going to need no matter the time of year is a great idea, and I want them to be visually interesting so the students use them and can remember what is on them.

After creating this board, I decided to share it on my professional Twitter account. I don't have many followers on my account, but I thought it would be a good idea. It doesn't hurt to share my ideas and see if anyone can benefit from them, or give me ideas to add. 

Twitter Post (Personal Photo)

I am excited to continue to explore PLNs and expand my use of them. I would love to move up on the Seven Degrees of Consecutiveness because there are so many benefits to being active in a PLN.