1. Personal Learning Networks for Rural Educators
You are Not Alone!
Personal Learning Networks for Rural Educators

2. Introduction Mia Chmiel
2 years - Associate Director of School Improvement Services
4 years - School Designer, EL Education
12 years - Middle School ELA Educator, Marathon Schools

3. Introductions Human bar graph Number of states you’ve visited
Population of the town you live in
Number of years teaching
Number of social media networks you participate in

4. Learning Targets
I can explain why professional (and personalized) learning networks are vital for teacher growth and retention.
I can explore resources for building a PLN.
I can begin to build (or add to) my own PLN.

5. Community Agreements Community Agreements Take care of yourself
Be fully engaged and take risks
Be mindful of other learners
Be fully present

6. Why a Professional (and Personalized) Learning Network?

7. Why a Professional (and Personalized) Learning Network?

8. Challenges that Rural Educators face...
Colleagues who teach same content or level
Access to high quality professional development
Opportunity to share innovative practices
More?

9. What is a “PLN”

10. You are in charge of your own professional development
You are in charge of your own professional development. PD is no longer something that you have to “sit and get”.
You can explore your own interests, needs, and passions (or your students’). You might have a student who is struggling with reading, or you might have heard of makerspaces and decide you want to learn more about that, maybe you have a student who wants to research global warming, or perhaps you want to find a better system for running a sports day at your school. You can turn to your PLN for advice and support with all these sorts of things.
24/7 learning offers the flexibility to learn and connect at a time that suits you.You don’t have to wait for a PD or conference. And 24/7 learning certainly doesn’t mean you have to be constantly online either — you decide how much time you want to invest and when.
You can learn and connect in a way that you enjoy. This might be via videos, podcasts, text, social media, Skype, blogging … the list goes on.
There can be light and shade to your PLN. You can engage in a general chat about education (or anything) to debrief, laugh, or unwind. Or, you can engage in deep discussion, debate, and reflection that can really challenge and transform your thinking and teaching. The choice is yours and there will probably be a time and place for both.
You can stay current on research and best practice, regardless of whether this information is being discussed in your own school, district (or even country!).
A PLN allows for broad brainstorming or fine tuning. You might know very little about a certain topic and ask your PLN for any/all entry points into exploring the concept. At the other end of the spectrum, you may have already done a lot of work on a topic and use your PLN to fine tune your ideas and resources.
Globally connected students need globally connected teachers. Having your own PLN is a key way to also help your students connect with others and start developing their own networks. We know this is important to enrich student learning and help students thrive in the changing labor marke

11. Why PLNs?
PLN Benefits: Choose one or more of the eight benefits of having a PLN that’s listed above to explore in a comment. Tell us why this is a benefit that resonates with you.
Tweet #WiRSA, #CESA9, #RuralEducators
Post to Facebook -
Meet in the back corner of the room - share with colleagues
Post to Instagram - #RuralEducators, #WiRSA

12. Building your PLN
“Together we are better: Professional Learning Networks For Teachers”

13. What do you notice about these 2 diagrams?

14. What do you notice about these 2 diagrams?
Many more options for sharing ideas and participating in constructivist learning, not sit and get.

15. Twitter — Educators follow people they’re interested in, ranging from “thought leaders” to everyday teachers in a similar subject area or age group. Teachers also use hashtags to follow topics of interest, and join Twitter chats to discuss ideas in real time. Be sure to follow Edublogs and CampusPress on Twitter. The next step in this series will explain how to start using Twitter.
Facebook — Educators follow pages and profiles of people and businesses involved in education. They also join Facebook groups to post questions, ask for feedback, and respond to others. Visit our Edublogs Facebook page and Facebook for Education to start learning something new.
Instagram — You can follow educators to get new ideas for lessons, activities, learning spaces and more. Hashtags make it easy to search for topics you’re interested in. Check out Tony Vincent’s Guide to Instagram For Teachers.
Pinterest — Pinterest is becoming a go-to for many educators looking for fresh ideas, resources, and connections. Explore 37 Ways Teachers Can Use Pinterest by Teach Thought. Be sure to follow Edublogs on Pinterest too!
Google+ — There are all sorts of Google+ communities for educators where you connect, learn, and share. Google Hangouts is also a useful tool, similar to Skype. Check out Mark Anderson’s Beginner’s Guide to Google+ For Teachers.
Blogs — Blogs play an important role in most educators’ PLNs. This might include reading blogs from a variety of different people or writing your own blog. Visit Step Five of this series for more information.
newsletters — There might be an educator, thought leader, or blogger who you really enjoy following. Chances are, they have an newsletter that you can subscribe to for free to have curated news and contented delivered straight to inbox!
Voxer — This walkie-talkie like tool can be used as an app on your mobile device or on your computer. Educators can engage in both synchronous and asynchronous conversations about their professional practice. Learn more in this article on Voxer by Amy Heavin.
YouTube — Video is a powerful medium. Many teachers enjoy following a selection of YouTube channels to keep up to date with a variety of topics. Check out Kasey Bell’s 20 YouTube Channels for Educators to find some channels that might interest you.
LinkedIn — Considered a “professional” social networking platform, educators can connect with a large community of professionals on LinkedIn. Explore this collection of 25 LinkedIn groups for networking teachers via Fractus Learning.

16. Wisconsin Specific PLN Opportunities
CESA 9 - Our Approach to Supporting Singletons!
Wi Transition Improvement Grant
Wi Special Education

17. Closing Reflect on Learning Targets Celebrate areas of growth!
Appreciations
Survey