In Search of My Perfect PLN

The last few years have given me an opportunity to continue my education and focus my attention on learning and researching information that is important to me. Two years ago I was fortunate to have embarked on my Ed.D. My studies gave me the chance to expand my knowledge regarding students who are both deaf/hard of hearing and autistic.

For more than two decades, while I have worked with students with atypical hearing, I continued to pursue my university education, I attended conferences, participated in online workshops, and joined in professional learning communities. I have always found ways to continue to learn so that I could stay current and be the best teacher for my students.

The completion of my degree will also mean the completion of my weekly classes with my cohort who have become my unofficial/official professional learning network. So much of what I have learned and continue to learn has been from this group of individuals from varied backgrounds who bring their varied expertise. This unique professional learning network provides an exchange of information and a sharing of knowledge in a safe and non-judgemental environment.

This has made evident just how important it is to have a professional learning network from which to draw support, to share ideas, to ask questions, to provide advice and so much more. After spending some time online to investigate professional learning networks, I have come across several tips and suggestions for starting my journey:

• It is important to make sure that all profiles on the various social media platforms have the proper information (the details and information that you want people to know about your education & work experience). Profiles on LinkedIn, Twitter, even Instagram, TikTok can increase your network depending on the type of network you are looking to join/create.

• Make sure that social media platforms have correct keywords/ tags so that they attract like-minded individuals.

• Connect with individuals who are looking for the same type of network, for example, a network where members can connect virtually to exchange on their shared topic on a regular basis.

• Create a diverse network of members to provide a variety of voices, viewpoints and expertise on the topic.

My goal is to connect with individuals from a multidisciplinary background; speech language pathologists, social workers, audiologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and teachers. I look forward to sharing my progress through this blog as I seek to find a network of individuals who are interested in the education of students who are deaf/hard of hearing and autistic.