My Professional Learning Network: Introduction and Nomadic Learning

 

On Friday I was speaking to delegates on a SCSSA Course on ‘Creating Time and Capacity to Manage Learning and Teaching’ and then to a group of teachers in the afternoon who are involved on the new East Lothian Pilot Programme titled, ‘First Steps to Leadership’. The title of my afternoon session as Digital Literacy (I will write more about this programme later in the week).

 A theme for both of the presentations was talking about how I learn and about my extended Professional Learning Network. Four years ago, I will admit, I was stuck in a bit of a rut. I was unsure which direction I wanted my career to take. I think teaching is still an isolated profession, I wasn’t learning a huge amount and I felt I was becoming stagnated.

By chance, I was introduced to technologies which helped introduced me to other educational professionals from around the world. I stared to thrive, contribute and learn within these new communities. I started to feel I was no longer alone and I became genuinely re-motivated in my job because I was enthused by the sharing of innovative ideas with teachers and leaders from all around the world. Within these communities I was also always treated as a equal.

I became what I have come to describe as a ‘nomadic learner’, I moved from place to place around the internet ‘grazing on information’ sharing good practice and contributing to the wider local, national and international education debate.

Currently my professional learning network is made up of some of the services on-line and off-line that you see in the picture below. Over the next week I am going to be talking in detail about my professional learning network and how I feel it makes me better at my job.

 

Here’s a brief introduction to what I will be talking about and when:

Monday – People

Tuesday – Closed Communities

Wednesday – Web 2.0 Tools

Thursday – Other web based services

Friday – Mobile Services

Some of the first pieces of work that I have to do for the MUVEnation Programme will also be captured within these posts.

Comments

[Alan Parkinson]

Sounds good Ollie !
I agree re. stagnation. Have talked before about my 'sleepteaching' and the difference between a rut and a groove...
My networking sustained me through some difficult times, and ultimately helped me secure what is my dream job...
And indirectly meant I got to drink a lot of your whisky last weekend. Looking forward to another good week of posts.

[OllieBray]

Just having a wee Bass as we speak - need to finish the bottle before th cock completely disintegrates. Speak to you soon. Ollie

[Doug Belshaw]

Interested to see what you write about digital literacy, Ollie - especially as it's the topic of my Ed.D. thesis! :-)

[Alan Parkinson]

The what disintegrates ?