Professional learning networks are extremely important, especially for new teachers. PLN's allow teachers to keep in contacts with colleagues that they otherwise would not. i think it it's especially important for new teachers to devote quality time to following their PLN?s. Their peers will be able to give them feedback on questions as well as ideas and suggestions.
Time management is extremely important for teachers. The benefits of a PLN?s are so great that is well worth it to make the time to create and follow it. There are so many tools out there that that make it easy to follow a PLN. Even if only a short time a week, it will be time well spent. And honestly, who doesn?t have a few hours a week to spare?
The strength of your PLN can be evaluated in your performance as a teacher. If your PLN is not making you a better teacher/colleague, what is it really doing? It is up to you to evaluate your own PLN, asking yourself what are you really getting out of it. It is very easy to sift through and filter out what is not helping and find new people to add. A PLN is only as good as you make it. You must put effort into it if you want a strong, helpful tool.
Manatee Lagoon and Jupiter Lighthouse
16 hours ago
I like your comment about evaluating the quality of a PLN by how the teacher using it is improving. However, I have to disagree that it is “very easy to sift through and filter out what is not helping and find new people to add.” I actually find this to be the most challenging aspect of building a PLN. It is very easy to find people who are blogging/tweeting about your topic, but I’ve found it difficult to find people who are providing *high quality* information in an organized fashion.
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