Why don't more teachers have a PLN? #edchat #efl #elt

- they don't know what they are

- they don't have time to explore the huge range of options, evaluate their merits, and make the best choices

- some are stuck in a rut and are unmovable

- some don't appreciate them or use the underlying technologies in other situations let alone in PLN ones

- the Educator's PLN group for EFL seems to be dead (it's my teaching area), so it doesn't do much for those of us in this industry, apart from general English discussions and tech-related ones

- selling the idea to schools might help, but it's teachers who will opt in or not

How to improve the situation:

- set up generic PLNs for different subject areas, besides tech ones, to get people started (of course they can add more later)

- get the word out there, particularly marketing the benefits in terms teachers will understand

- include PLN's in PD programs

- in EFL world, it needs peak bodies to promote e.g. IATEFL, as many teachers work in isolation from colleagues

- will offer to run a PLN session in my city - there are 55 "foreign" teachers here - but tendency is to wheel in local professors who live in academia. Also I may need support in putting together an appropriate presentation (up to 2 hours)

 

Sorry for being tardy. Sometimes hard keeping up.

Posted on Twitter @gregqbear today.

June 5, 2010 at 1:29 am

Good on you, Rick. You are a great example of what dedicated teaching is all about.

I liked your comment on “assumptions” about teachers working with PLN’s so students aren’t short-changed in their learning, particularly in using technology.

Although I’ve just had my 56th birthday, I only came to teaching just over 6 years ago mostly in the EFL field, currently in Taiwan. I was a middle level federal government public servant before this, but grew increasingly dissatisfied with that life. I did a Music degree first, as I’ve always been into performing, then an Education degree. After completing English language studies I’m now able to teach Music or Business or EFL/ESL in Australian schools (where I’m from). However EFL/ESL is what I’ve been doing – in Australia, Brunei, China, South Korea and Taiwan.

Like you, I’ve found the provision of hardware and the support & PD for using new programs has been poor to non-existent. Due to our low status and the language/cultural barriers in non-English speaking countries, it’s very hard to change this, but I try and, as you say, the PLN’s I’m developing are a rich source of ideas to help.

So, I wish you well in your endeavours and encourage you to keep up the good fight for our kids’ futures.

Greg.

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