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PLN Exploration…….

 What is a PLN…. 

A PLN or Personal Learning Network is a group of professional, academic and personal connections to help foster growth through online interactions. Teaching is often enhanced through participation with others and collaboration. In these groups, teachers share ideas, resources and advice. Often times these are formed through social media.    


Image Source: Getting Smart 


Are PLNs and PLCs the Same……. 


Some of you might be wondering if this is any different than the PLC (Personal Learning Community) that I participate in at my school.  While these groups are similar, they are different.  A PLC is a group of educators that meet in person to collaborate, improve teaching skills.  The overall main focus is to improve the academic performance of their students. 


In a PLN (Personal Learning Network) you connect to take charge of your own personal developer and enhance your own personal learning and are not fully focused on student achievement. 


My own PLN experience……. 

Up until a few weeks ago, I wasn’t aware of the term PLN, and without realizing it, had formed one through Instagram and Facebook following and interacting with fellow art teachers across the world. 

Image Source: wbur


To expand my PLN, I created a Twitter account @KristenHilton14 with hopes to be inspired and to connect in a different way with fellow educators. Until a few years ago, I didn’t see social platforms as a way to connect professionally. I chose not to have a Twitter account because I didn’t want to be on that many different platforms. However, in the last several years, I have been able to see the value that social platforms bring to educators as another resource and tool to add to their repertoire. 


As I explored Twitter ,I found several educators and organizations to follow that inspired me and I believe would help me professionally. 


 Some of the groups/people I follow:


As I explored Twitter, I found  #EDUChatList ~ Education Chat List  from @talkreadsing. It has a list of several different Twitter Chats with dates, times etc. I found this resource extgremely helpful in trying to locate live chats in which to participate.. 

Image Source: Twitter @talkreadsing


So what is a Twitter Chat? It is a scheduled conversation hosted by an account that can recur daily, weekly, monthly etc. Each chat is designated hashtag and is focused on a single topic.  The host posts a series of questions and participants respond to the questions and include the chat’s specific hashtag. 


 I never had participated in a Twitter chat before but was intrigued and wanted to connect with fellow art teachers. So I found #K12ArtChat Guest Host Tim Needles. The chat was focused around the celebration of  8 yrs of #K12ArtChat. I figured this was a good one to start with. I found the chat a fun way to meet new fellow art teachers around the world and a nice way to relax after a long day and week.  Below in the infographic you can view my Twitter Chat experience. 


Image Source: Blogger Author created in Photoshop


Overall, I found my first Twitter Chat a fun experience that was welcoming and a great way to connect and network with fellow art teachers. It was a source of new ideas and inspiration as well as a great space to share ideas. Experiencing my first Twitter chat made me realized that it made me feel more connected to a group of educators outside my “little district bubble”.  I might make this group a regular group to communicate with on a weekly or bi weekly basis. 



My Twitter finds……. 

Not only did I find teachers to connect with on Twitter but also found valuable resources that I could use in my own teaching and classroom. I think an area that many art teachers can struggle with is “what do I  have my early finishers do”.  The Art of Education University posted this video shared by California high school art teacher Catie Rice. Her early finisher artist trading cards. I think it is a great resource/activity for students to work on when finished early, plus it lets them design items that represent themselves and can be used as a therapeutic outlet. 


For Full video of Catie’s Trading Cards and Advance Medium exploration - check out this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hegKaFeJPMo


Also I know that my students' problems at home or in their personal lives do not stop or end when they enter my room. I found this article posted by The Art of Education University on Twitter regarding trauma informed teaching in the art room.  This article shared several de-escalation strategies, which I think are helpful and good reminder for teachers of how to handle a situation and to help students refocus and work through their emotions. 

Image Source: The Art of Education University 


Want to follow me on Twitter ??? My Profile is @KristenHilton14


Additional Resources: 

Twitter Educational Chat List

 

Cited Sources: 

The Art of Education University (2002, May 26) What Is Trauma-Informed Teaching, and What Does It Look Like in the Art Room? Retrieved on Oct. 9, 2022 from https://theartofeducation.edu/2022/08/08/aug-what-is-trauma-informed-teaching-and-what-does-it-look-like-in-the-art-room/?utm_campaign=BTS+2022&utm_content=217300389&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&hss_channel=tw-155221291



Facebook log in or sign up Retrieved on Oct. 9, 2022 from https://www.facebook.com/


Getting Smart  (2012, January, 31) Personal Learning Networks for Educators: 10 Tips Retrieved on Oct 9, 2022 from https://www.gettingsmart.com/2012/01/31/personal-learning-networks-for-educators-10-tips/


Google Sites: Sign-in Education Chats Retrieved on Oct. 9 2022 from https://sites.google.com/site/twittereducationchats/education-chat-calendar


Instagram Login • Instagram Retrieved on Oct. 9, 2022  from https://www.instagram.com/


Instagram faces backlash for trying to compete with TikTok | Here & Now (2022,  Aug. 02) Instagram faces backlash for trying to compete with TikTok Retrieved on Oct. 9, 2022 from https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2022/08/02/instagram-backlash-tiktok


Twitter Retrieved Oct. 9, 2022 from https://twitter.com/


TwitterThe Art of Education University @theartofed Retrieved Oct. 9, 2022 https://twitter.com/theartofed


TwitterThe Creativity Dept @creativitydept Retrieved Oct. 9, 2022 https://twitter.com/creativitydept


Twitter #EDUChatList ~ Education Chat List @talkreadsing  Retrieved Oct. 9, 2022 from  https://twitter.com/talkreadsing


YouTube (2022, September 29 ) Artist Trading Cards & Advanced Medium Exploration (Ep. 8) Retrieved on Oct. 9, 2022 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hegKaFeJPMo
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Comments

  1. NMZumpanoOctober 10, 2022 at 7:34 AM

    I'm happy you had the opportunity to join a Twitter chat with Tim. He is a great guy. It looks like you found some great resources as well.

    ReplyDelete

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