How to Make the Most of Professional Connections Online
My legs dragged as I left the last conference session of the day. I love conferences, but by the end of the first day, I was exhausted.
I walked around the corner and found myself looking at a person looking right back at me.
Naturally, this would cause a bit of social anxiety- Do I know this person? Do I say hi? Do I pretend to look through my bag to avoid small talk?
This time was different. I found myself smiling and excited to have this conversation, and the smile on the woman’s face said she felt the same.
Educators, as a whole, work independently. We run our classrooms, our programs, and if we're lucky, we can form relationships with the teacher next door.
As an AT specialist, my network is even smaller. Most districts have one or less of my position, and it can get pretty lonely.
This conference encounter was different. While I had never met this person before, in a sea of thousands of conference attendees- I knew them.
The next hours were full of laughter, conversation, and stories of the amazing things we had learned that day.
What was different?
This person was a member of my online PLN.
What is a PLN?
Three years ago, I would have said it was a word I had heard but had no idea what it meant.
Professional Learning Networks, or PLNs, are simply a group of like-minded professionals.
A good PLN will
Help you grow in your profession
Teach you
Hold you accountable for the time you said you would sing from the rooftops about a new tool. By reminding you at the next conference to start singing.
PLNs give you a group to turn to when you have questions that only someone who knows what you do can answer.
These same people will cheer you on when they watch you present at the next conference. They will teach you. And they will get excited when you teach them.
The Internet is a Big Place
One of the biggest questions I get asked when I talk about my PLN is how I met them and how we connect.
Often it is difficult to find others who are in a similar profession in my local area.
This means daily I make decisions and problem solve on my own.
This is where social media began to play a role, once I knew where to look.
Let’s look at how different social media platforms contribute to the growth of a supportive PLN.
1. Pinterest
Most teachers have spent at least some time on Pinterest. That wonderful, amazing, addictive, visually attractive platform.
My Pinterest boards are full of recipes I hope to try someday, AT tools I can’t wait to build, and puppies. Always puppies.
Pinterest is a great place to gather ideas for the classroom and learn from others.
Unfortunately, there aren’t as many networking opportunities here, and there are not many chances to have dialogues with other educators.
2. Facebook
Facebook continues to be a popular platform for adults, even as the younger generations turn away from it in favor of more direct forms of social media such as Snapchat.
If you explore Facebook groups, you will discover many pertain to teachers.
You can find groups for
Math Teachers
Speech and Language Pathologists
Special Education
Middle School
Any area of education you can imagine
Most of these are closed groups, which means you cannot see what is posted in them until you have requested to join and are accepted. Many require you to answer a few questions along with your request to show you're a person and not a bot or spammer.
I'm a member of multiple groups, and I have found a few to contain supportive people willing to share information.
I have also found some groups do not match my needs.
In those instances, I choose to leave.
It is ok to be selective and try a group and decide it is not for you. After all-, your time is finite, and the goal is to find people you connect with.
One suggestion if Facebook is your platform of choice- try not to spread yourself too thin. When you join groups, their posts will show up in your feed, and it is easy to get overwhelmed by the number of posts you see each day.
I realized I reached this point when I no longer saw pictures of my nieces and nephews in my feed, but pictures of classrooms posted by strangers.
Additionally, to grow your PLN, you need to be active, and if you're in too many groups, you cannot be involved and make connections.
3. Twitter
If you follow our podcast or have read many of my social media posts, you will know my favorite social media platform for professional development is Twitter.
I have made more professional connections on Twitter than any other platform.
The key to using Twitter to grow your PLN is to follow the right hashtags.
I would suggest TweetDeck (learn about TweetDeck here), as it helps you keep track of all of the hashtags you want to watch.
You will find some are not as helpful as others, and some may be relatively inactive.
However, many will have weekly or monthly chats, where participants all answer questions and share ideas.
This is a great way to get to know others in your field and learn simultaneously.
Download: Free TweetDeck & Hashtag Guide
4. Instagram
Instagram tends to not have as much back and forth as Facebook groups and Twitter. However, you can find like-minded professionals with who you can share ideas.
If you have educators you follow, take the time to comment on their posts, and start a conversation.
Making the Most of Online PLNs
1. Be Active
Whatever platform(s) you choose, take the time to be active in them.
Like in-person relationships, you need to take the time to get to know people and show an interest.
You will never grow and develop a Professional Learning Network if you do not take the time to talk to others.
2. Remember Confidentiality
Remember, the students and clients you work with have a right to privacy.
When you talk with your PLN online, remember this is a public forum. Even if you are in a closed group on Facebook, you never know if someone in that group could be related to your student, etc.
Make sure when you discuss problems you need help with, you do so in a general way that could not lead back to any students you work with.
3. This is a Public Space
Social Networking platforms are meant to be social. This means your words may travel much further than you think.
And it can happen quickly.
Do not write or share anything you would not want to get read by your spouse, boss, or a parent of a student.
4. Show Interest
Part of being a member of a PLN is helping others.
Make sure you engage with the topics and add to the conversation.
5. Give More Than You Take
This is a hard one at first, especially when you're new to a group and trying to decide if you want to be part of it.
Do not only interact with the group when you need help. Offer help to others and share ideas.
You have more knowledge than you think you do.
6. Don’t Be the Expert
While it is great to share your opinion and knowledge- and I hope you do, be sure you do not come into a group being a know-it-all.
Recognize that everyone in the group has ideas to share.
7. Get Involved In Live Events
Posting on people’s posts in a group or responding back and forth is one of the great things about social media- you do not have to all be online simultaneously.
However, live conversation can bring out a connection that an asynchronous comment cannot.
If you have the opportunity, join in Twitter chats, send direct messages, and when an opportunity arises to meet your PLN at a conference or other gathering, take the time to meet up.
Impromptu lunches with old friends you met for the first time are fabulous. And seeing excited recognition when you spot a member of your virtual PLN in person is the best.
And be careful about promises to sing. You will be reminded.
Download Your Free Printable
Here is a quick guide to get you jumpstarted at finding your Professional Learning Network online. You will get a 1 page printable with the basics of how to use TweetDeck to manage your hashtags and get started with Twitter quickly and easily. As a bonus, you will get a page will active hashtags for Special Education, Assistive Technology, Educational Technology, and Social and Emotional Learning.
Here is a preview:
Follow these steps to begin grown your online PLN.
Download the worksheet. You will get the free printable and will join my mailing list packed with hashtag suggestions, networking tips, and educational resources. Just click HERE.
Print a copy. Drop it off near your computer so it is ready when you have ten minutes to get started.
When you are ready, log into Twitter and Tweetdeck. Choose some hashtags to start following and spend some time commenting on posts that interest you.
Connect. Check in regularly (weekly is great) and take time to connect with others who follow the same hashtags as you.
