Personal Learning Network (PLN) & Standard 7.4

Below is a visual representation of my PLN, using the software Miro. At the conclusion of the description, there is a linkage to the AITSL standard 7.4
You can interact with it in the Google site, or visit the link below to view it in your browser.

For the main 4 subheadings used in the PLN, a different colour was used to colour code the links and resources.

Analogue Resources: Purple
Digital Resources: Light Blue
Professional Development: Green
Relationships: Pink

The solid lines show examples, whilst the dashed lines are the different links between resources.

If you wish to open the PLN in your browser, please use the link https://miro.com/app/board/o9J_ly_eG3M=/

Explanation of PLN

The above PLN was created using collaboration software called Miro. Miro was chosen due to its functionality and portability to other services, such as Google Sites.

My PLN has impacted my professional learning in many ways, with the most impact coming from the links between resources in the network. The interlinked nature of different resources showcases how interlinked and complex educational resources need to be. For my professional self, this is highlighted with the interconnectedness of the 'Professional Learning' arm of the PLN. To continuously grow as a teacher requires sustained effort from many different sources, not just simply attending a course (Churchill et al, 2018).

My PLN has been impacted by the combined knowledge, skills and experience of my peers, a theory known as collective intelligence (Goleman, 2006; Skyring, 2017). As a part of the Teaching Society, a project which will be referred to as a 'PLE' was created, for Pre-Service Teachers to create, share and question different aspects of the skills required to be a teacher. This was set up with a working group, with the knowledge of all participants pooled and archived, to effectively distribute amongst each other. The goal of the PLE was to create this collaborative environment, showcasing how my PLN has impacted the work of others, whilst also been impacted by their work.

In the Classroom, my PLN allows me the flexibility and freedom to access the litany of resources available online. Being a mind map of all the resources available will reduce the time needed to find the appropriate resource. It will also make it easier and more intuitive to genuinely incorporate ICT into teaching and learning, something required of all teachers and schools (AITSL, 2011). This will certainly increase the learning outcomes for my future students, being academic, social, personal or even school based outcomes.

In the future, I will continue to add and archive elements of my PLN, to ensure the network stays relevant and up to date. Archiving allows for resources that may not be useful at the current time, to be easily accessed, compared with updating which ensures that relevant and new resources are added to the network.

Link to Standard 7.4

My PLN demonstrates how many different factors contribute to effective education. AITSL (2011) also identify this need, through the standard 7.4 and the role of broader communities in the tole of teaching and learning.

In the PLN, I identify several different resources relevant to the community, including local libraries and school facilities, however the focus on sharing of resources to improve practice is the key takeaway. Access to curriculum software such as Education Perfect or Style, allows for broadening of content and pedagogical knowledge, whilst adding resources to the toolkit, by engaging in a boarder network or community.

There is also the inclusion of a creation of a Professional Development group, led by myself and a friend (who is currently a teacher), to further broaden the extent of our professional knowledge. A key concept to collaborative knowledge and learning is including different background and perspectives into the discussion (Duchesne & McMaugh, 2016; Markova & McArthur, 2015). The inclusion of professional bodies, such as SSTUWA and STAWA, are also aligned with this reasoning.

References:

Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) . (2011). Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.https://www.aitsl.edu.au/docs/default-source/national-policy-framework/australian-professional-standards-for-teachers.pdf

Churchill, R., Godhino, S,. Johnson, N.F., Keddie, A., Letts, W., Lowe, K., Mackay, J., McGill, M., Moss, J., Nagel, M.C., Shaw, K., & Rogers, J. (2018).Teaching: Making a difference (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd.

Duchesne, S., & McMaugh, A. (2016). Educational Psychology (6th ed.). Cengage Learning Australia Pty Limited

Goleman, D. (2006). Social intelligence: The new science of human relationships. Hutchinson–Random House.

Markova, D., & McArthur, A. (2015). Collaborative Intelligence: Thinking with People who Think Differently. Random House.

Skyring, C. (2017). Using social media to build your personal learning network. Education Technology Solutions, 78, 60–63.