Participants will learn about the mechanics, advantages and disadvantages of establishing a professional learning networks (PLN), which incorporate technology-based tools and processes in a way that allows individuals to stay up-to-date and share information about current news, politics, practice knowledge and current research findings. This workshop will provide hands-on practice in designing and implementing a PLN for scholarship and advocacy.

1. Harnessing Technology for one’s own Good:
Professional Learning Networks in Social Work
Laurel Iverson Hitchcock, PhD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Nathalie P. Jones, PhD
Tarleton State University

2. Objectives
3. Appreciate the role 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 or Career 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. “Whats” of a Professional 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
- Following the BPD Twitter and/or Facebook Page
- Table of Content Alerts from a Journal
- Participating in a educational technology
Facebook Group

5. USING THEORY WHEN DEVELOPING 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

6. Steps to Creating a 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?

7. What do you want in your PLN?

8. How do I want to participate?
QUALITY, NOT
QUANTITY
DIVERSITY
SHARING

9. What digital tools should I use?
Podcasts
Facebook
Twitter
Blog
LinkedIN

10. How do I manage it?
BALANCE
REFLECTION
LEVEL OF
PARTICIPATION

11. Connecting your Digital and 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. Nathalie’s Professional Learning Network
• Connect w/ Students
• Connect w/SW Community
• Teaching Practices
• Content discovery: Social Innovation, Business, Nonprofits,
#EdTech, #SWTech
Google+ Communities
• #SWTech Community
• #SSWA
• Alumni (online
collaboration/trends)
Google Hangouts
• Connect with alums,
students, colleagues
BPD Listserv
• Technology, Trends
and issues, best
practices
Blogs
• #MacroSW
• Teaching & Learning in
Social Work
Remind
• Connect w/students,
colleagues
• Announcements
Twitter

13. Laurel’s Professional Learning Network
#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. Questions?
Laurel Iverson Hitchcock, PhD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
lihitch@uab.edu
twitter: @laurelhitchcock
Nathalie P. Jones, PhD
Tarleton State University
njones@tarleton.edu
twitter: @drnjonestsu

15. 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