Evaluate the impact of professional learning and continually make improvements in order to meet the school-wide vision for using technology for high-impact teaching and learning.
The Benefits of Professional Learning Networks For Technology Integration
LLT 575 My topic for Methods of Research class LLT 575 was on Professional Learning Networks (PLNs). I chose to focus on educators and how they learn about incorporating technology into their classroom practice because I was very interested in how they have survived the 2020 / 2021 school year with the rapid forced inclusion of technology. Before Covid 19, there was a mix of educators choosing to incorporate technology in their regular practice and others who were still very traditional in their teaching methods, preferring to avoid web 2.0 tools and using technology only when necessary. My school district chose to move to the Canvas LMS very late in the summer before the 2020/2021 school year started. Before this, several educators had been using Google Classroom as their LMS and others who chose not to use it at all. The sudden switch to an actual LMS and needing to incorporate technology literally overnight was an extremely stressful process for many educators. I had experience working with learning management systems as well as sports management systems, plus experience managing a few different websites. Figuring out how I wanted to create my Canvas classroom was a semi stressful project for me. I can't imagine how someone with no experience must have felt going into the school year. |
The copy of this research paper was reformatted as a Google Slide presentation for use in this portfolio. I have attached a copy as a downloadable document as well. You can also choose to view it in full screen.
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While the school district did provide an online course that educators had to go through to learn how to build a Canvas course, taking the course and creating your own class are two completely different things. The first few months of school were challenging for some educators as they were still learning how to navigate the system while trying to have students turn in work.
I know from networking and interacting with thousands of educators many have turned to PLNs to find answers to specific technology integration questions. I chose this topic as my research because I wanted to find out how many teachers are involved in PLNs and discover what activities they engage in while interacting with other educators. I hypothesize that educators who collaborate through PLNs will report that they positively influence technology integration in their classroom environment. I think PLNs should be considered a valuable avenue for networking with other educators and encouraged by the administration.
I designed the research as a two-part survey. Technically there is not enough time to finish the research project and follow through on the specific gathering of information. While I might not take the time to follow through on writing up all of the findings, I am still interested in sending out the survey and finding specific answers to my research questions.
I know from networking and interacting with thousands of educators many have turned to PLNs to find answers to specific technology integration questions. I chose this topic as my research because I wanted to find out how many teachers are involved in PLNs and discover what activities they engage in while interacting with other educators. I hypothesize that educators who collaborate through PLNs will report that they positively influence technology integration in their classroom environment. I think PLNs should be considered a valuable avenue for networking with other educators and encouraged by the administration.
I designed the research as a two-part survey. Technically there is not enough time to finish the research project and follow through on the specific gathering of information. While I might not take the time to follow through on writing up all of the findings, I am still interested in sending out the survey and finding specific answers to my research questions.
- How are educators gaining knowledge about technology integration in the classroom?
- What is the percentage of educators that are involved with at least one PLN?
- How will educators belonging to PLNs describe their experiences in these communities?
- Do their connections made within PLNs have any influence on how educators use technology in their classrooms?
- Do educators use the resources gained from PLNs to collaborate and share knowledge with coworkers?