Uploaded byLaurel Hitchcock
Professional Learning Networks for Social Work
The document outlines the importance and methodology of creating a Professional Learning Network (PLN) for social workers, emphasizing life-long learning and ethical practices in a rapidly changing environment. It details the role of technology in building professional relationships and offers steps for creating a PLN, including identifying learning goals and managing participation across various digital platforms. Additionally, it provides examples of PLNs from several experts and resources for further reading.
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Professional Learning Networks for Social Work
- 1. Nancy J. Smyth,PhD University at Buffalo Laurel Iverson Hitchcock, PhD University of Alabama at Birmingham Melanie Sage, PhD University at Buffalo Jonathan B. Singer, PhD, LCSW Loyola University Chicago
- 2. Objectives 3. Appreciate therole of theory in adopting technology tools for social work practice 1. Describe what a Professional Learning Network (PLN) is and why to use one 2. Demonstrate how to create your own PLN
- 3. Why? - Life-long orCareer Learning - Ethical practice for Social Workers - Rapid pace of change requires active strategies to stay up-to-date “Why Have a Professional Learning Network?” Self-Reflection on Current Strategies - What topics do you need to stay abreast of? - How do you current keep up on new developments? - When you need to know something, to whom to you go?
- 4. What’s in yourPLN?
- 5. “Whats” of aProfessional Learning Network in Digital Spaces What? - Technology-based tools & processes to network, disseminate and stay informed - Building professional relationships in digital spaces Examples - Following a local NASW Chapter Facebook Page - Table of Content Alerts from a Journal - Participating in a educational technology Facebook Group
- 6. USING THEORY WHENDEVELOPING A PLN Social Learning Social presence is key • Imitation and reinforcement • Socialization helps with identity development • Use of videos, social media, avatars, discussion boards can help reinforce social presence • Group work • Active/collaborative learning, performing for public audience Digital Literacy understand, share and create meaning with different kinds of technology and media: • Understand the range of ways that social media could be used within professional practice • Respecting and promoting ethical practice • Participate in a variety of platforms • Skills to create professional content • Share content appropriately Connectivism/Connected Learning learner is fast paced and connections are needed for lifelong learning • Non-human tools can promote learning • Ability to see connections between fields, ideas, and concepts; peers and practitioners • Decision-making about what to learn is a key learning process • Academic learning can occur outside the classroom Communities of Practice learners have a tribe: • Collective competence and willingness to learn from others • Engaged in contributing to the collective knowledge and resources • Sustained and consistent interaction • Professional topics
- 7. Steps to Creatinga PLN 1. What do you want to learn? 2. How do you want to participate? 3. What digital tools do you want to use? 4. How will you manage it? 5. How will you connect it with your face-to-face network?
- 8. How do Iwant to participate? QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY DIVERSITY SHARING
- 9. What digital toolsshould I use? Podcasts Facebook Twitter Blog LinkedIN
- 10. How do Imanage it? BALANCE REFLECTION LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION
- 11. Connecting your Digitaland Face-to-Face Network • Use digital tools to build your relationships • Engage your face-to-face colleagues on digital platforms • Connect with digital colleagues in person
- 12. Nancy’s Professional LearningNetwork RSS Feed Reader Content discovery: nonprofits, virtual worlds, management, higher ed, SW, social media health/behavioral health FB Facebook - NADD Deans/Directors Group -Connect w/Alums Twitter - Connect w/SW Community - Content discovery: Social Innovation, Business, Nonprofits, #EdTech, SW Google+ Communities - #SWTech Community - Rheingold course alumni (online collaboration/trends) LinkedIn - Connect with alums, students, colleagues NADD Listserv BPD Listserv - Trends and issues, best practices E-Newsletters - Content Discovery
- 13. Laurel’s Professional LearningNetwork #MacroSW Online Community Professional Blog Teaching and Learning in Social Work TWITTER Relationship Building & Sharing with Students & Colleagues Social Work & Technology Google+ Community Online Community #SWTech LinkedIn Relationship Building & Sharing with Students, Colleagues & Alums
- 14. Melanie’s Professional LearningNetwork You Tube husITa/tech groups Relationship building, developing expertise FB Facebook Personal/professional relationship building (people I’d invite over for dinner) T Twitter Professional relationship building, research dissemination, reputation management BPD Listserv IV-E Listserv Learning about trends and issues CSWE Councils Leadership development, professional knowledge
- 15. Jonathan’s Professional LearningNetwork Listservs
- 16. What to Learn- Defining your Learning Eco Map What are your professional goals? What do you do? What do you need to learn? What do you want to learn? Who are you as a learner? Create your own PLN with our worksheet
- 17. Professional Learning NetworkWorksheet Available at: https://goo.gl/4vZ8T4
- 18. Resources Hitchcock, L. I.(2015, July 2). Personal Learning Networks for Social Workers. Retrieved from http://www.laureliversonhitchcock.org/2015/07/01/personal- learning-networks-for-social-workers/ Michaeli, D. (2015, November 15). Personal Learning Network Twitter Cheat Sheet. Retrieved February 8, 2017, from http://www.socialwork.career/2015/11/personal-learning-network-twitter- cheat-sheet.html Richardson, W., & Mancabelli, R. (2011). Personal learning networks: Using the power of connections to transform education. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press. Smyth, N. J. (2016, October 14). Online Connections for Professional Learning. Retrieved from https://socialworksynergy.org/2016/10/14/online-connections- for-professional-learning/ Whitby, T. (2013, November 18). How Do I Get a PLN? Retrieved April 5, 2017, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/how-do-i-get-a-pln-tom-whitby
- 19. Questions? Laurel Iverson Hitchcock,PhD University of Alabama at Birmingham lihitch@uab.edu twitter: @laurelhitchcock Melanie Sage, PhD University of North Dakota Melanie.Sage@und.edu twitter: @melaniesage Nancy J. Smyth, PhD University at Buffalo email: sw-dean@buffalo.edu twitter: @njsmyth Jonathan B. Singer, Ph.D., LCSW Loyola University Chicago jsinger1@luc.edu @socworkpodcast
Editor's Notes
- #2 Laurel to welcome and we each introduce
- #3 Laurel - Share examples of how to connect digital and face-to-face networks
- #4 Nancy - A professional learning network (also known as a personalized learning network) includes technology-based tools and processes used by a social worker to stay up-to-date and share information about current news, practice knowledge and the latest research findings. Reflection: What do you need? What are your learning goals? What are your to-go resources? – self-reflection and what are your reasons for networking relationship-building (networking) ; dissemination & Feedback (; learning (what topics) Introduce the topic – PLN http://griffinfarley.typepad.com/propagation/2009/08/new-ground-swell-researh-on-social-technology-adoption.html (Ground Swell) Clay Shirky Handout with resources: one-page handout; worksheet to map out Professional Development Plans from Education Jonathan’s example of social work abstracts – interaction and connection
- #5 Nancy
- #6 Nancy - A professional learning network (also known as a personalized learning network) includes technology-based tools and processes used by a social worker to stay up-to-date and share information about current news, practice knowledge and the latest research findings. Critical thinking about the resources – crap detection about the information; how do you evaluate the validity of statements made on social media; ex) SPSM Chat – lived experiences vs. research evidence; consuming and sharing
- #7 Melanie Peers are more trusted than a journal article – connected learning
- #8 Laurel 1. What do I need to learn - Passion to learn – Self-Direction; Topics 2. Practicipating/Process– Sharing; Quality, not quantity; Diversity 3. Platforms 4. Manage – Reflection; Assess; Balance 5. Connect Face-to-face networks
- #9 Laurel - Include benefits and challenges Richardson & Manacbelli
- #10 Laurel - Platforms
- #11 Nancy Include benefits and challenges Learn one at a time, search on best practices for it, norms, culture, find a successful role model Richardson & Manacbelli
- #12 Nancy - Use digital tools to extend your relationships - Direct messaging, video calls, phone calls Engage your face-to-face colleagues in digital platforms
- #13 Nancy– one minute Twitter is one tool for all of us, but we use it differently
- #14 Laurel – one minute
- #15 Melanie – one minute
- #16 Jonthan Google + SW Tech community: Serves as a platform for tech-related issue, keeping up-to-date on colleague’s scholarship, opportunities for collaboration, etc. Twitter: Mostly used for #suicide-related tweets, but also keeping up with #MacroSW and #SWTech. SPSMChat: Up-to-date information through the Twitter chat, a FB Messenger group, and a live hangout. AAS: My professional organization – listserv, serving on the Executive Board. Social Work Podcast: I get to talk to the most interesting people in the profession Listservs: I’m on several and appreciate the insight and resources.
- #17 Melanie – 10 minutes introduce worksheet Build on what you identified earlier (Slide 4 PLN Map) Learning Eco Maps Who are you? What do you do? What are your reasons for relationship-building? What do you want to learn? What do you need to learn? What are your professional development goals? What are your professional goals? Passion to Learn and Well-developed Sense of Self-Direction 1. What do I need to learn - Passion to learn – Self-Direction; Topics 2. Platforms next 3. Process– Sharing; Quality, not quantity; Diversity 3. Manage – Reflection; Assess; Balance 4. Connect Face-to-face networks Steps in Developing a Professional Learning Network What to learn? How to participate? What digital tools? How to manage? Connecting to Face-to-Face Network What are your challenges?
- #19 Melanie
- #20 Melanie