In the changing realm of education, as new challenges and possibilities arise, Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) are expected to adjust and transform to cater to the changing requirements of educators and aid in their professional growth and development. When I first heard this topic, I assumed it was only professional organizations like PLTW or Adobe Educators. What I have discovered is that a personal learning network can be any place where learning occurs by connecting with others. Connectivism, originally attributed to George Siemens, is one prominent theory around which PLNs are centered (Haas, 2020).

Belonging to a PLN is beneficial because it provides access to a vast array of resources, tools, and multimedia content and enables us to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices in our fields. These ever-expanding PLNs provide us with diverse perspectives from around the globe. There are so many innovative ideas and approaches that we may never think of alone, it definitely pays off to reach out and join for inspiration and growth.

Here are a few PLNs that I currently belong to and participate in:

PLTW – Project Lead The Way

DFW Teachers’ Lounge (Facebook)

Create Studio Official (You Tube)

PLNs that I am currently researching and plan to join:

• Happy Teacher Revolution (Instagram) 

• The Sassy Teacher (Instagram) 

• Canva Teachers Community (Facebook) 

References: 

Haas, M. R., Haley, K., Nagappan, B. S., Ankel, F., Swaminathan, A., & Santen, S. A. (2020). The connected educator: personal learning networks. Clinical Teacher, 17(4), 373–377. https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13146 

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