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Article
Proactive Professional Development: A Connected Educator
JALT2014 Conference Proceedings
  • Vanaja Nethi, Nova Southeastern University
  • Adam Murray, Miyazaki Internal College
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2015
Keywords
  • development,
  • educators,
  • PLNs
Disciplines
Abstract

Educators realize that they no longer have to wait for professional development opportunities. Although the idea of professional networking is not new to educators, advances in web technologies such as blogs, learning platforms, and social networks have enabled educators to form larger and more useful networks that would have been inconceivable even a decade ago. With these networks, called Professional Learning Networks, or PLNs, educators are able not only to find cutting edge information and resources but also to learn about opportunities for collaboration and professional development. This paper briefly describes PLNs and gives an overview of how educators in higher education are using Web 2.0 tools for professional development. A number of popular components that are used to construct PLNs are highlighted, along with specific examples. The paper concludes with practical suggestions and a list of resources that can be used when starting a PLN.

Citation Information
Vanaja Nethi and Adam Murray. "Proactive Professional Development: A Connected Educator" JALT2014 Conference Proceedings (2015)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/vanaja-nethi/8/