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Constructing an Online Professional Learning Network for School Unity and Student Achievement
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Constructing an Online Professional Learning Network for School Unity and Student Achievement

A Joint Publication With Learning Forward



September 2011 | 136 pages | Corwin

"This book is a testimony to true transformative practice. The whole school community pursued a single vision, with multiple checkpoints, while providing incremental support to the staff."
—Cheryl Steele Oakes, Teacher
Wells High School, ME

Advance your professional learning community into the digital age

What if your professional learning community was available 24 hours a day, every day of the year? Would you like to have a place to share lesson plans, student work, a new curriculum, and to provide a discussion forum for all stakeholders? You can, even with only a basic understanding of technology. The authors explain how they created an online professional learning network to share a new core curriculum, providing a framework for constructing such a network to fit your school's needs. The many benefits include:

  • Enhanced communication among teachers, administrators, and the community
  • Easy access to professional development for many more participants
  • Implementation of best practices and instructional strategies for improved teacher performance
  • Increased understanding of and commitment to educational goals

Included are checklists, flowcharts, screenshots of an actual learning network, case studies, and a glossary of terms. This book provides all the tools you need to build a successful and motivating professional community online.


 
List of Figures
 
Preface: Getting the Big Picture
How the Concept of a Professional Learning Network Came into Focus

 
What to Expect in this Book

 
Why We Wrote this Book

 
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
1. Focusing on a Professional Learning Network
What Is a Professional Learning Network?

 
Why PLN Focus?

 
Snapshot of Our PLN

 
A Bird's-Eye View of How to Build Your PLN

 
Review

 
Resources

 
 
2. Zooming in on Leadership
Why a Leadership Focus for a PLN

 
Snapshot of Leadership in Our PLN

 
A Bird's-Eye View of Leadership for Your PLN

 
Review

 
Resource

 
 
3. Going Digital: Infusing Technology Into a PLN
Why a Technology Focus for a PLN?

 
Snapshot of Technology on Our PLN

 
A Bird's-Eye View of Technology for Your PLN

 
Review

 
Resource

 
 
4. Landscape for Communication of Information
Why a Communication Focus for a PLN?

 
Snapshot of Communication on Our PLN

 
A Bird's-Eye View of Communication on Your PLN

 
Review

 
 
5. Framing Curriculum and Instruction
Why a Curriculum Focus for a PLN?

 
Snapshot of Curriculum on Our PLN

 
A Bird's-Eye View of Curriculum on Your PLN

 
Review

 
Resources

 
 
6. Exposures to Learning
Why a Professional Development Focus for a PLN?

 
Snapshot of Professional Development on Our PLN

 
A Bird's-Eye View of Professional Development on Your PLN

 
Review

 
 
7. Begin Your Focus With Eight Steps
What are the Steps You Need to Begin?

 
Snapshot of the Eight Steps to Build Your PLN

 
Review

 
Resource

 
 
8. Adding Perspective: Viewing a PLN With a New Lens
A Review of Why a PLN

 
A Snapshot of Our Experience

 
The Future of PLNs

 
The Future of Your PLN

 
 
References
 
Index

“This book is a testimony to true transformative practice. The whole school community pursued a single vision, with multiple year checkpoints, while providing incremental support to the staff.”

Cheryl Steele Oakes, Teacher
Wells High School, ME

“Every school that is ready to catch up with today’s students and truly use today’s technology can increase the success of students! This book is a practical, systematic handbook that any school can follow.”

Renee Peoples, Teacher
West Elementary School, Bryson City, NC

“Take your PLC to the next level and set up your own learning network with this helpful step-by-step guide.”

Linda Sarver, Teacher
Westview Elementary School, Excelsior Springs, MO

“Fantasy has a magical bullet. This book is for those in the field that believe positive change stems from a concerted effort and best practices."

Lyndon Oswald, Principal
Sandcreek Middle School, Ammon, ID

“This book will help schools build a professional network to improve and enhance the work of teachers, specialists, and administrators, improving student achievement in the process.”

Tania Dymkowski, Instructional Strategist
HAYSCISD Science Hall Elementary, Kyle, TX
Key features
This book's elements help to illustrate the processes described. These include:
  • Chapter opening Objectives - "Whys"
  • Checklists
  • Flowcharts
  • Screenshots of an actual personal learning network
  • Case studies
  • A glossary of terms

For instructors

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ISBN: 9781452296463

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