Educators Who Are Lifelong Learners.....get a PLN!

One of the most important steps an educator can take in today's world is to build a personal learning network, or PLN.

You might be thinking.....I already have that.  Everyday I learn from my colleagues when we discuss our lesson plans, problem solve issues we may be having with discipline or concepts that are difficult to teach, and so on.  Everyday, you are surrounded by your peers at work.  They are the people you depend on to help when you have a need, a question, or to celebrate a success.

Your co-workers are definitely an important part of your personal learning network.  There is nothing greater than the face to face contact you have with your peers each and every day.

Can I tempt you with something though, just for a second? 

What if you could have a network of educators, from all around the world, sharing their most brilliant discoveries, their latest research, a newly-written lesson plan, a fantastic website that supports the learning in your classroom, or a simple "hello" from the other side of the world?  Would that be a network or "club" you'd like to join?

It's my new favorite network/club (outside of my face to face peers) and it is called:

 TWITTER!
(I know.....you already knew that!)

Image via CrunchBase

I don't even know where to begin about Twitter!  I have so much to say, I can't even type fast enough. There are so many stigmas related to twitter.  Everywhere you turn, people are talking about it, celebrities are joining up, comedians are making fun of the "tweets" written on twitter.  I completely hated the idea of being on twitter in the beginning (just a few short months ago), now I rely on it as one of my main resources for the latest and greatest in education research. 

Twitter provides so much, in such an easy way.  In 140 characters or less, people from around the world communicate for many purposes.  Some use it to just say "hi" and tell everyone what kind of cereal they happen to be eating for breakfast that morning.  Others use it as a tool for sharing ideas and information based on their work, family life, etc.  Whatever the reason, you can customize your network of "tweeple" to be exactly what you want it to be....personal or professional.

I am excited to be following so many great educators.  I find it exhilarating that I can actually "talk" with them in this shared learning space, ask questions, share resources, etc.

The best part about twitter is.....the support group you create for yourself!  If you have a question about a lesson you are preparing, or need advice on how to find a website related to a topic, all you have to do is "tweet" your question, and in a matter of minutes you have a multitude of answers! 

So, in case you haven't figured it out, I am addicted to twitter! Teachers, you will not regret trying it out.  Give it a shot!  You will experience yet another change in what it means to be a lifelong learner.  (And, if you have any questions, or don't have a lifechanging experience, please email me.  I want to hear about it!)

Twitter is my world-wide, professional learning network!  I hope it becomes an important resource for you as well.  Oh, and you can find me on twitter....the name is @jenstover!

Have fun!

Comments

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