My Focused PLN

After browsing the different communities, I debated between the Microsoft Educator and Google Educator Networks because those seemed to be most applicable to my working context. I do not use Apple products, so Microsoft seemed to be a better choice. My district also uses Microsoft Teams (and the rest of the Microsoft Suite) to communicate with each other and their students, so it would make sense to learn more about the available support on Microsoft Educator. Google Educator Networks also seemed like a fair choice because my district used to operate through Google Classroom, so I am familiar with Google and its applications as well.

ISTE Professional Learning Networks was intriguing, but I found it to be too large of a commitment to pay a fee in order to formally join a community. I much preferred the flexibility of Microsoft Educator and Google Educator Networks because I could explore their resources freely and get involved without having to invest my personal finances. 

Between Microsoft Educator and Google Educator, I determined that Google Educator would best support the goals and development of my PLN. Keeping in mind that my goal for my PLN was to find one that was more interactive, I appreciated that Google Educator had "Communities", a space specifically for connecting and learning from each other. While both Microsoft and Google had great resources for learning, I wanted to be able to find a group that I could learn with. What especially stood out was the "Global GEG", which is Google Educator's global community. By connecting with them, I will have access to their events (all organized on a Google calendar) and their newsletter, in which you are able to ask questions and learn from those in the community.

References

ISTE. (2021). Professional Learning Networks. Retrieved 17 April 2021 from https://connect.iste.org/community/learningnetworks

Microsoft Educator Center. (2021). Microsoft, retrieved 17 April 2021 from https://education.microsoft.com/en-us

Teacher Center. (2021). Google, retrieved 17 April 2021 from https://edu.google.com/teacher-center/?modal_active=none