One of the greatest challenges in developing your PLN involves moving from the lurking and consuming stage to the producing stage. Oddone (2019) at the Education Summit in Brisbane, discussed three types of learning practices that happen through social networking. Linking, where teachers discover small things they can implement to improve practice. Stretching, where teachers take the initiative to make connections that provide rich learning opportunities. Amplifying, where your PLN can be used to demonstrate the type of educator you are. (Oddone, 2019)

Oddone’s learning practices do not take into account the various levels of comfort and development of educators’ PLNs. As such, this guide suggests a model in which educators move freely, depending upon their circumstance, between the three levels of connect, extend and magnify.

Connect – This is the first stage in developing a PLN, where educators reach out to others to build a network and learning community. Educators here connect with and reflect upon their prior teaching and learning experiences.

Extend – Educators step out of their comfort zone, drawing upon their PLN to develop new learning opportunities.

Magnify – Here educators give back to their network. Best practice, new learning opportunities are documented and shared with their PLN.

The connect, extend, magnify model supports the educator in moving within their PLN, from a lurker to a valued active participant, from a consumer to a producer and back again.

Are you ready to get the most out of your PLN?

Go ahead and start Connecting! Once your ready, step out of your comfort zone and Extend and Magnify!

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