A Personal Learning Network refers to self-directed learning in different online communities and resources. These networks have become common in the workplace for many professions, but have become very relevant for educators because of time constraints and the lack of personalization to school/district-provided professional development. Even more difficult is finding time to meet for authentic conversations about education.

PLNs are digital networks of people with whom you share interests, subject areas, grade level, etc. You do not need to travel or set up appointments to meet with them; you can simply use different online resources to have conversations and learn from anyone worldwide at any time of the day.

PLNs put you in control of your professional development. You can design your own unique professional development, completely customized to your needs, to support you and change and evolve with you. Because of the digital nature of these networks, you can access them from home or beyond, 24 hours a day.

Determining Your Needs

PLNs can help you find new ideas that expand your understanding of many topics, solve problems, and gain insight into other schools from near and far. Think about your current needs and what’s important to you:

• Are you interested in pursuing a higher degree or credential?
• Do you want to learn more about the shifts in the Math CSSS?
• Are you wondering how to incorporate STEM into your curriculum?

There are answers out there for almost anything you need. Narrowing it down in the beginning can help you select the best resources for your needs.

Finding the Right Resources for YOU

There are limitless resources to help you expand your horizons and connect you with educators worldwide. What may work for some, may not work for others. While the most popular lie within the social media umbrella, other helpful resources include blogs, podcasts, and webinars. Since searching through them all can quickly feel like information-overload, we’ve created a quick list to get your started.

Click here to view the quick list!