Focused PLN

An online PLN has been described as a synchronous or asynchronous online platform for individuals to collaboratively engage in critical thinking and discussions that lead to mutual reflection and understanding of selected issues (Garrison, 2007).

Cook, R. J., Jones-Bromenshenkel, M., Huisinga, S., & Mullins, F. (2017). Online Professional Learning Networks: A Viable Solution to the Professional Development Dilemma. Journal of Special Education Technology, 32(2), 109–118. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162643417696930

 Image courtesy of @sylviaduckworth. Retrieved from TeachThought.

Purpose: Develop professional relationships with other teachers and teacher-librarians in order to create a supportive network for my current and future educational endeavours.

Current context: Currently, I am a priority TTOC at a school and new to the teaching profession. Every day presents new learning opportunities and I learn a lot from other teachers that I have the privilege of meeting. I still need support and resources for being a teacher, but I recognize that to move towards teacher-librarianship, I would benefit from having professional connections for that position as well. At this moment, I regularly confer with teachers at the school and the mentoring network I am connected to in my district for general teaching support. These two avenues have been effective in helping me refine my teaching practices and build relationships with other teachers. 

To support continued learning in teacher-librarianship, I follow a number of TL accounts on Instagram and some blogs that I encountered while working on other TL-related courses. Some accounts that I follow on Instagram are @thelibrarianlife, @kidlitexchange (this account has recently stopped posting, but is a great list to refer to for book suggestions), and @kidlitbookaday. When choosing who to follow, I try to cover different areas of a teacher-librarian's role, from general day-to-day activities (@thelibrarianlife), to book suggestions for different age groups (@kidlitexchange and @kidlitbookaday). 

In terms of blogs, I try to do the same, covering a range of teacher-librarian material. Cari White's blog, Library Learners, focuses mostly on the book portion of the job, offering suggestions on what to read, possible book promotions, and weeding strategies. Laura Pearle, the owner of Venn Librarian, often writes about the goings-on in her library, which address topical issues like newsletters, technology, and more. Finally, Laura Trapp of The Trapped Librarian seems to cover it all. Book promotions, events, suggestions, technology, Trapp addresses a number of relevant issues.

Steps for change:

1. Build relationships with the teacher-librarians at the school I am placed at. 
2. Start sharing more of my experience and knowledge by adding it to my blog or Google Site. 
3. Explore other platforms where I have more opportunity to interact with other teachers in a professional setting, such as connecting with the BCTLA.
   

Explanation: Much of my PLN is quite passive. I have the opportunity to read and look at a lot of material, but there is little opportunity for exchanging ideas or sharing my own knowledge. Sharing your knowledge and experience with another teacher is a component of professional development, and it usually consists of listening/reading and responding. I would like to be able to expand my PLN to one that is more interactive with more opportunities to share my insights. 

Further Reading: Resources for Growing your Professional Learning Network - edutopia

References

Chapman, M. (2021). kidlitbookaday. Instagram, retrieved 17 April 2021 from https://www.instagram.com/kidlitbookaday/ 

Cook, R. J., Jones-Bromenshenkel, M., Huisinga, S., & Mullins, F. (2017). Online Professional Learning Networks: A Viable Solution to the Professional Development Dilemma. Journal of Special Education Technology, 32(2), 109–118. https://doi.org/10.1177/0162643417696930

edutopia. (3 June 2011). Resources for Growing Your Professional Learning Network. Retrieved 17 April 2021 from https://www.edutopia.org/resources-growing-professional-learning-network

kidlitexchange. (2021). Instagram, retrieved 17 April 2021 from https://www.instagram.com/kidlitexchange/ 

Pearle, L. (2021). Venn Librarian, retrieved 17 April 2021 from https://lpearle.wordpress.com/

TeachThought Staff. (3 September 2018). 10 Reasons Every Teacher Needs A Professional Learning Network. TeachThought, retrieved 17 April 2021 from https://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/10-reasons-every-teacher-needs-professional-learning-network/

thelibrarianlife. (2021). Instagram, retrieved 17 April 2021 from https://www.instagram.com/thelibrarianlife/ 

Trapp, L. (2021). The Trapped Librarian, retrieved 17 April 2021 from http://trappedlibrarian.org/blog/

White, C. (2021). Library Learners, retrieved 17 April 2021 from https://librarylearners.com/blog/