My Focused PLN

 In order to grow my PLN, I looked at four different organizations that offered training that fit my interests:

I really like Microsoft's Educator Centre. It offers a variety of learning opportunities from specific topics relating to computer software, to courses focused on a specific Microsoft program. I would be interested in taking many of Microsoft's offerings, especially the ones that focus on STEM, coding, and esports, as well as student-centred learning. 

Product Guides include Minecraft, Flip (I didn't know this was a Microsoft product), and a reading progress app through Microsoft Teams. 

While I know I will find some gems on Apple Teacher, I dislike how they have centred learning around their products. My school has a iPad deficit and many classes have gone from using iPads to the less expensive Chromebooks. Unless there was something very specific I could learn from Apple Teacher, I would give this a pass.
My school uses many Google products, including Classroom, Slides, and more. I think it would be valuable to take courses to focus on Google products within an educational setting, especially because using Google accounts allow users to do a lot of different things while integrating it within a central account. There are also some courses that allow you to learn about Digital Citizenship, among other topics. However, these pickings are slim, with similar offerings available elsewhere. 
In order to access ISTE you must have proper authentication. However, there are no immediate instructions on how that works. This site does have some interesting topics, including STEAM, Computational Thinking and Digital Citizenship. I am also interested to see what is hiding in the online forum. But unless I get proper authorization, I will probably give this site a pass.

For me, the Microsoft Educators Community is the best choice. It has the best variety of courses along with helpful product guides.

Comments

  1. Navreen KularApril 21, 2023 at 8:30 PM

    Microsoft Educators Community seems to have the most to offer in terms of free modules which is why I particularly liked it. I think when it comes to establishing a PLN or being a part of one, its important that teachers have access to resources that are free and easily accessible.

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