Why You Need A Professional Learning Network
Written By Abena Sey
August 8, 2020
If your goal is to become better in your field, creating a professional learning network is a practical solution to achieve this goal. Not only will you have access to information, a space to ask questions and receive support, but also, you will make connections that will give you inspiration and tools to set goals and achieve them. Professional learning networks are global support networks based on interconnections between like-minded individuals. These are learning opportunities you independently create for yourself.
How To Build Your Network
There are two types of professional learning networks: information aggregation and social media connections (Flanigan, 2011, as summarized by Trust, 2012)
Information Aggregation
This is a combination of related information into one accessible location, such as RSS readers for online content. This type of professional learning network gives you access to information and saves you time because you do not have to visit individual websites to check for updates. Email subscriptions are another type of information aggregation, where you can choose to “follow” or “subscribe” to the content creator’s website. This widget allows you to input your email address and receive emails anytime there is a new post or update on the website or blog. **If you haven’t already done so, please consider subscribing to my newsletter to get valuable information on leadership, education, and productivity. I’d love to connect with you.**
Social Media
Professional learning through social media sites offers you flexibility, because you can learn asynchronously. This requires less demands on your schedule. These sites also provide a space for collective knowledge building and sharing where you can find support from large groups of individuals that pool their answers to find the best solution to a problem (Trust 2012). This is a great way to connect with people all over the world whose content you find enjoyable, informative, and helpful.
What Are The Benefits To You and Your Practice?
You Can Develop Leadership
According to Hopkins et al. (2015), one of the benefits of being a part of a professional learning network is the opportunity to develop your leadership. For instance, in the field of education, “teacher networks present opportunities for teachers to serve as peer mentors, rediscover intellectual passions, present and discover new models of learning, and reframe their professional identities as teacher-researchers, teacher-leaders, and teacher-mentors” (Hopkins et al., 2015, para. 2). What a great way to boost your confidence and become an authority in your field! You can share your expertise and learn from the expertise in your network.
You Will Feel More Engaged In Your Work
In the context of education, the “‘networked teacher’ is more likely to be engaged, become a leader, and drive positive change” and "teachers value networks that build knowledge/expertise, strengthen relationships, and practice resources and sharing” (Hopkins et. al., 2015, para. 4 & para. 9). Engagement is mutually beneficial for staff and stakeholders.
You Will Feel More Empowered
When you are connected, you feel empowered because the information you seek is readily accessible to you. You no longer have to work in isolation, because you have a professional community that is ready to support you. As stated, “teacher networks serve as a professionally empowering tool for teacher self-efficacy and school capacity building” (Hopkins et al., 2015, para. 10). As it relates to personal learning, Couros (2015) asked, “if there is no ownership over our own learning, how deep will we really go?” (para 4). Ownership of your learning leads to engagement and motivation. This is truly empowering!
Get Your Network Started Today
When I started developing my professional learning network, I was looking for inspiration as a teacher. I wanted to learn more and do more for my students. I was seeking growth in my career, and was desperate for ideas on how to do it. I knew that I had leadership qualities and wanted to share my ideas and experiences with those who wanted to grow, too. Building my professional learning network helped me achieve my dreams, and I learned how to get started when I pursued my online graduate degree. Now that you know what to do, get started on your professional learning network today. Follow me so that I can share my insights on leadership, education, and productivity with you.
References
Couros, G. (2015). 5 questions to drive personal-professional learning. [Website]. Retrieved
from http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/5338
Hopkins, A. P., Rulli, C., Schiff, D. & Fradera, M. (2015). Teacher Networks Companion Piece. In Penn GSE Perspectives on Urban Education. 12 (1). https://www.urbanedjournal.org/archive/volume-12-issue-1-spring-2015/teacher-networks-companion-piece
Trust, T. (2012). Professional Learning Networks Designed for Teacher Learning. In Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 28(4), 133-138.