Module 2 Professional Learning Communities Reflection

For this assignment, students were required to participate in professional learning communities in an inclusive and  productive way.The assigned reading "Modern Professional Learning: Connecting PLCs with PLNs", states that a Professonal Learning Community is:

"a group of educators that meets regularly, shares expertise, and works collaboratively to improve teaching skills and the academic performance of students."

In the assigned reading "What is Professional Learning?" , the article states many reasons that professional learning communities offer educators and students and opportunity to participate in a learning community that builds a community of collaboration. I chose to participate in the Canvas LMS Community on the Canvas website and in Technology Teacher Tribe with Brittany Washburn on Facebook. Both groups operated very differently, so it was good to experience both ways of connecting and communicating. The Canvas LMS Community was very professional and sometimes the answers were high stakes, as in there could be backlash from the community if your answers or comments were wrong. There was very little, if any, personal interactivity between members and was solely focused on the Canvas LMS, it's functions and how it was properly utilized in online course development. I also saw many instances of the same questions and I was happy that I was able to help some of the people with the problems they were experiencing with Canvas. Several of the questions I participated in were relevant to some problems we had experienced with the new release of a Canvas update on campus. Some of my answers needed a more in-depth reply and I was interested in the corrections or additional information some of the more experienced members would add to the conversations. I also participated in the Technology Teacher Tribe with Brittany Washburn on Facebook, which was a very different experience. I noticed that sometimes people would reply to others with harsh disagreements and emotion, which I didn't encounter on the Canvas LMS Community. On the positive side, many K-12 teachers were asking questions about which technology to use for specific goals, how to use certain technologies, and members were providing helpful feedback and support. It was interesting to see the interactions among technology teachers across such vast grade levels, placement, and experiences.  I think the variety of the members and their experience with classroom teaching and technology created an interesting place where many things could be shared and explored in an open and engaging way. I think Professional Learning Communities are a great way to explore and share ideas, seek help from other professionals, and make connections with others in positive ways that enrich technology teaching experiences. This was mentioned in the first assigned reading entitled "Professional Learning Communities: What are they and why are they important?" where it is stated "The literature on professional learning communities repeatedly gives attention to five attributes of such organizational arrangements: supportive and shared leadership, collective learning, shared values and vision, supportive conditions, and shared personal practice."