Based on Utecht’s (2008) five steps of a Professional Learning Network (PLN) adoption, I believe I am currently in-between step 3 and step 4. I have successfully joined several PLNs throughout my time as a teacher librarian. I have evaluated those networks over the years against useful ones and those that are irrelevant or no longer active.

Being a part of several PLNs has a mostly positive impact on my personal and working life. Reflecting on when I first started teaching and began joining networks, I can see how those PLNs negatively impacted my working life. As a new graduate teacher, I felt bombarded, and those networks added to that bombardment. However, as an experienced teacher and teacher librarian, I believe that the PLNs have a more positive impact on my working life. I find it easy to communicate with colleagues in a PLN, especially now that I am much more confident in my role and philosophy of education.

Like all social media, I believe that finding the right balance will allow for a positive impact on my personal life. I think that I have almost found this balance. That is  why I identify with step 4 of Utecht’s (2008) 5 step progression, because I don’t believe I am entirely satisfied with my balance. As I begin to interact more among my PLNs, I can see which networks are helpful in both my personal and working life and which are a waste of time. I agree with Utecht (2008) in that he is still working out his balance, and this will continue over time.

References

Utecht, J. (2008, April 3). Stages of PLN Adoption. https://www.thethinkingstick.com/stages-of-pln-adoption/