Professional Learning Network
My main social media platform to network is Twitter. It also has been game changing in my classroom. I have learned from numerous people. I have implemented things in my classroom that have come from ideas from my PLN.
The following have been very beneficial in helping me grow as a person and teacher:
www.iste.org
International Society for Technology in Education is the largest nonprofit in educational technology. “This site is for educators to share tips, ideas, inspiration, and lessons through professional learning networks and is beneficial for teachers looking for new innovative ideas for teaching while using technology. ISTE and it's affiliate, TCEA are both beneficial for any educator that understands the importance and ever evolving technology. They offer invaluable tools as well as workshops and certifications. ISTE is the gold standard of educational technology trainings/certifications. |
ISTE is the national level of technology and education. There are several affiliates, such as TCEA that is local. I haven't used ISTE a whole lot but have been able to use it more for just networking. I have found numerous people to follow through ISTE's twitter feed. This has been very benefical because I know that I'm adding people to my PLN that are 'my peeps'. I'm building my tribe of people to pull information and recourses from since we have the same interests.
www.tcea.org
TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association) is a global, nonprofit, member-based organization. They support the use of technology in education and are dedicated to advancing teaching and learning through the use of technology. This network has been amazing! Not only have I attended their annual conference each year, but had the privelage of being a presenter at the last conference held in San Antonio, Texas in Feb. of 2019. |
TCEA has been a great networking tool for me in person. Since I was able to attend in Feb. of this year, I was able to meet and connect with so many people in person. I met amazing educators/admin that were at the discussions I signed up for. One in particular discussion was about leading other teachers. Everyone at the table, except for myself, were andministrators either in digital/technology area or they were instructional coaches. Since this is my next goal, to become an instructional coach, it was an amazing opportunity to talk with and learn from others at the discussion table.
I continue to grow my PLN through Twitter by using TCEA the same way I use ISTE. I have found and followed numerous educators that I have learned from.
I continue to grow my PLN through Twitter by using TCEA the same way I use ISTE. I have found and followed numerous educators that I have learned from.
www.shakeuplearning.com
Kasey Bell is on a mission to shake up traditional learning and prepare students for the future using technology and doing things differently. I have had the opportunity to listen to Kasey speak at a Google Summit I attended in May of 2018 and she was great! I continue to follow her on social media and look forward to always learning from her!! |
www.ditchthattextbook.com
Matt Miller is both fun and funny! I had the opportunity to first hear him speak at the same Google Summit in 2018 with Kasey. In fact, they spoke together. I more recently had the opportunity to attend a session at TCEA (conference, Feb. 2019) where Matt showed how he used Quizlet to teach students over and over! He also showed how he used Quizizz to teach and drill students. Matt introduced a Quizizz that everyone in the session took. It was Polish words (or some other foreign language most people would not know). He then had us answer the meaning of these foreign words. After everyone finished, he went through each word and taught a mnuemonic to help you remember what the word meant. We then took the Quizizz again and everyone improved greatly! |
This strategy has been very beneficial in my classroom. I have used it with Quizizz and also the repetative Quizlet that Matt also showed. Matt is always creative and on the cutting edge with implementing new and fun ways of teaching students. I'm grateful I've been able to use and implement his ideas.
There are some other networks I need to look into. Since I am trying to use my educational foundation to break into the private sector, I need to find some networks that will help me further this passion.
I ultimately want to be a consultant/trainer that works with companies to train their employees while using technology, and not in the typical old fashioned way of training. I want to use my experience with blended learning in the classroom and my experience of presenting on blended learning (at conferences in a blended style) in the private sector. |
REFERENCES:
ISTE (2019). International Socity for Technology in Education Retrieved from http://iste.org
TCEA (2019). Texas Computer Education Association. Retreived from http://tcea.org
Shake Up Learning (2019). Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell Retreieved from https://shakeuplearning.com
Ditch That Textbook (2019) by Matt MillerRetreived from www.ditchthattextbook.com
ISTE (2019). International Socity for Technology in Education Retrieved from http://iste.org
TCEA (2019). Texas Computer Education Association. Retreived from http://tcea.org
Shake Up Learning (2019). Shake Up Learning by Kasey Bell Retreieved from https://shakeuplearning.com
Ditch That Textbook (2019) by Matt MillerRetreived from www.ditchthattextbook.com