The Power of the Professional Learning Community (PLN)

What is the power behind professional learning networks (PLNs) that are everywhere to be found on Twitter? The simple graphic organizer created using the tool, Text 2 Mind Map, forms the basis for a conversation, The Power of the PLN: Making NYEDChat the Voice of NYS, that will air on 1/18/14 at 8:30 pm EST. Tune into Twitter and search for the hashtag label, #nyedchat, to either join the conversation or listen to the exchanges. Kicking off the New Year with this topic is part of a campaign, to build a network of dedicated educators committed to impacting teaching and learning in New York State. The NYEDChat moderating team of Bill Brennan, Vicki Day, Blanca Duarte, Starr Sackstein, Tony Sinanis, and Carol Varsalona have been working on a variety of topics and inviting guest speakers to bring lively discussions to the NYEDChat learning community.

You may ask, "What is the value in joining NYEDChat on Twitter every other Monday?" For those seeking ongoing learning experiences or new to Twitter, this PLN will allow for online professional development opportunities that can affect teaching and learning on a daily basis. Below are additional benefits that #nyedchat will offer to educators.  It will provide:

• A connected network for NYS educators and those joining from other states
• Discussions on current topics that impact teaching and learning
• Avenues for immediate advice and support
• Information on educational technology, teaching, learning, educational leadership, and other topics of interest
• Inspiration 
• Links to other networks, chat groups, and educational leaders

Educators who involve themselves in online networking opportunities with PLNs find the experience worthwhile. The NYEDChat Moderating Team invites you to collaborate and learn with fellow educators every other Monday. We encourage you to tweet the information to others so that NYEDChat grows in numbers to represent New York State in the Twitter community of educators across the nation. 

The true power of the PLN is in its collaborative opportunities that shift mindsets and promote a collective consciousness.

Using One Little Word to Guide My Path

One little word is all that is needed to begin a cycle of personal and professional growth for the year 2014. If you have been following my blog posts lately, I have spent time pondering a pathway for this year. While reading what other bloggers are saying about their journeys, I found a different perspective on the topic of New Year resolutions. Started by the Two Writing Teachers, their quest for renewal is centered around two thoughtful questions, "Which word will you live this year? Which word will you invite into your life?" Both of these posing thoughts on one little word (OLW) allow for a reflective course of action. While it might be difficult to commit to a year's journey, the creation of an overarching theme to invite change into life is intriguing. Reading the OLW blogs and comments posted set my thoughts in motion.

What would be my one little word? A week ago, the word resolute resonated with me. While still resolute to create spaces to grow as a learner, I thought might there be another word that could capture the essence of my journey. It was during yoga practice, as the teacher guided us through a series of steps to open spaces in the body, awareness came upon me. As arms were outstretched and the body placed in a twist, a newness of space was felt. While a physical release was felt, a spiritual one was sought. How could I find balance in body, mind, and spirit? Concentration and practice would be my guides. 

Thinking back on last night's experience, I realized that the word I was seeking found me. Openness will be the one little word that I will invite into my life. It will be a canopy I try to reach as I walk on solid ground; a connector on my journey; the enticer to find possibilities in life by shifting, reflecting, redesigning, and renewing my course of action. What better word could I find as I am resolute to create spaces for growth as a learner?

Are You Open to the Word Change?

Change is a word that brings both opportunities and controversies to daily life. While it is essential to be open to new possibilities in this world of altering lifestyles, it is a fearful prospect for many. Even for those who are reflective, change is a conscious act of embracing the new while shedding the old. Sometimes, we do not recognize that changes or updates in life or in our instructional practices are needed. But we do know that choices need to be made. When multiple decisions are facing me and I am already at the overwhelmed mark, I find myself wavering on what is the right choice for that moment. But, if I look at the prospects with a clear head, choice becomes the catalyst for change.

As a third generation baker, I am always mindful of the choices needed to make an occasion festive. Finding the right measurements and ingredients to create a balance are essential parts of the art of baking. Under the tutelage of my grandmother and mother, I learned that baking is more than an act. It is a creative art that incorporates elements of design, technique, and presentation. Careful planning and skill are needed to create delectable confections. Bakers must choose the right blend of ingredients and be organized to manage the steps in a timely fashion. They need to remain mindful and stay in the moment as they hone their craft. What goes into the mix, hopefully comes out a worthy confection, at the hands of a skillful chef.

Isn't this similar to teaching profession? Teachers make choices on a daily basis. They are mindful of what goes into the mix as they blend strategies, practices, and protocols to create lessons that engage students in the process of learning. Educators step back and engage in professional development to refine the teaching arts at the hands of the master chefs. They seek balance and continuously hone their craft to incorporate design, technique, and the hooks to deliver effective lessons. Teachers, as reflective practitioners, are mindful of the data that informs their practice. They need that ingredient to roll out the dough for eager tasters of learning. 

As we assemble the cake, bakers notice if one more layer should be added. Risks may be taken to provide worthy samplings of artistic creations but patience and reflection are needed. Weighing the possibilities may lead to leaving the comfort zone. But decisions could lead to outcomes not anticipated. What if the ingredients used create a heavy mixture or the presentation lacks luster? So, too, in teaching the choices we place into the mix may be too heavy for the recipe and our timing may be off. 

What ifs are always present in the process of creating a recipe but they should not prevent taking the proverbial leap of faith. What is the worst that can happen-the crust droops, the lesson flops? These moments of seemingly unsuccessful events may appear daunting but they should not deter the craftsman from moving forward. The mixture that does not yield the right results can always be changed. At times like these, it is best to pause, reflect, and take next steps to create the best recipe for the moment. If we are open to change, it can lead to new possibilities. Change needs to be embraced to move to the next level of productivity. 

Are you open to the word change? If so, check what goes into your next mixture and decide if you can change one ingredient, measurement, or timing to create a confection that merits attention.

Words: Singular Entries to Meaningful Dialogue

In tribute to the New Year and 2014 resolutions/nerdlutions posted on Twitter and in blogs, I pause to ponder on the effect of spoken and written words. This time, it is with a focus on their contribution or not to personal or professional well-being. Holidays seem to bring out the best and least desirable sides of human nature, depending on the types of situations encountered. Particularly at this time of year, words, by the nature of their tone or message, are singular entries to meaningful dialogue. In my attempt to create spaces to grow as a learner, I decided to carefully listen to others and prudently choose the path I take in response to words spoken. Therefore, I am resolved in 2014 to focus on Number 6 of the Effective Collaboration Norms and Guidelines, Paying Attention to Self and Others.

I have noticed that in conversations, words can be carelessly dropped, causing unbalance and unrest. Responding to such words often affects personal or professional well-being and can lead to future entanglements. Therefore, it is best to actively disregard words that cause disharmony; lift words from conversations that can be transformed; reflect to open new spaces of learning and respond in a positive manner. But this is easier said than done so developing the art of active listening, discerning messages, and using spoken and written words as strategic tools to move toward a more reflective stance as a learner are my new intents.

I actually started this process on New Year's Day while I carefully listened to message presented by one of our parish priests. He greeted the congregation with a message of hope as part of his homily on resolutions to start anew. Reflecting on the word closure and its significance for 2014, he stated, "Open the door to start a new chapter. Leave the past behind. The past is history, the future a mystery." Upon hearing that message, I paused to reflect on the importance of the word closure as a lead in to being open to possibilities. 

Without deliberate action the words, closure and openness, only float in the corridors of the mind.  So, I ask myself what will it be? Will I open the door to meaningful dialogue and discussion by being more conscious of the words spoken by others and myself? Will I bring closure to past situations and see new possibilities? Lastly, will I be more reflective to bring about change and new achievements? 

Words carefully lifted from conversations can lead to multiple avenues of exploration. They can become the singular entries to meaningful, reflective conversations. So what message will our words deliver during 2014? The choice is yours and mine.