Professional learning networks
Learning networks are fundamental to achieving effective educational improvement, with evidence supporting the use of PLNs in assisting school improvement. Traditional top-down professional development models have historically embraced synchronous, face-to-face activities that require dedicated time and sometimes physical travel (Trust, Carpenter, & Krutka, 2018, p. 137). In contrast, a Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) as a professional development model is a group who engage in collaborative learning with others outside of their everyday community of practice to improve teaching and learning in their school and/or the school system more widely The long-term collaboration typically seen in PLN’s enables group members to share and utilize the expertise of others to develop new approaches to teaching and learning. (Brown & Flood, 2019, p. 4). Importantly, those who participate generally tend to be increasingly motivated, enthusiastic and passionate due to PLN activities being voluntary (Trust, Carpenter, & Krutka, 2018, p. 138).
Social Media and the PLN
Social media has been posited as an effective learning tool, and the utilization the various platforms for learning enhance our professional learning networks. Social media encompasses a large and dynamic array of tools with Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn featuring prominently. Twitter has featured throughout literature as an effective platform for micro-blogging, facilitating the exchanging of ideas, sharing of resources and delivering news synchronously and asynchronously across geographically dispersed networks (Colwell & Hutchison, 2018, p. 6; Swan & Keating, 2014; Gonzales, 2017).
References
Brown, C., & Flood, J. (2019). The Emergence of Professional Learning Networks. In Formalise, Prioritise and Mobilise: How School Leaders Secure the Benefits of Professional Learning Networks (pp. 1-14). Emerald Publishing Limited.
Colwell, J., & Hutchison, A. (2018). Considering a Twitter-Based Professional Learning Network in Literacy Education. Literacy Research and Instruction, 57(1), 5-25. https://doi.org/10.1080.19388071.2017.1370749
Gonzales, L. (2017). Top 10 for PLNs. www.techlearning.com
Swan, M., & Keating, G. (2014). Using Social Media to Enable Lifelong Learning. www.aitd.com.au
Trust, T., Carpenter, J., & Krutka, D. (2018). Leading by learning: exploring the professional learning networks of instructional leaders. Educational Media International, 55(2), 137-152. https://doi.org/10.1080/09523987.2018.1484041
