PLN : teachers’ use of social media for professional development

Abstract

The concept of a personal learning network (PLN) is not new; however, over the past few years the reach, size and look of a PLN have changed due to the proliferation of social media. Thanks to social media, teachers are finding it much easier to create networks whose main purpose is to facilitate the process of continuing professional development (CPD). The benefits of social media like You Tube, Facebook and Twitter in allowing teachers to set up a PLN are widely recognised, and it seems that such 'cyber-enabled networks hold great promise for supporting teachers' development of new knowledge and practices' (Schalger et al 2009: 87). One of the main benefits derived by teachers' use of social media for CPD is that of having access to shared knowledge that is specific to their own needs and interests. The immediate effect of a PLN is that teachers are able to dynamically contribute and share innovative ideas with a network of people that extends beyond the physical confines of their school.