In Chapter 6 of The Connected Educator, the author(s) focus on learning to build your connected professional learning community (PLC) and personal learning network (PLN). The shift in this chapter focuses more on a "how to" rather than a "why," while offering tools, strategies, and mindset shifts to truly become a connected learner or educator. Ideas such as active engagement, utilizing digital tools, making meaningful connections, and sustainability/growth are just a few highlighted topics that the authors focus on. As a future healthcare worker, these ideas will help me expand my knowledge when making connections.
The authors stress that being "connected" isn't just about following others or "lurking", it's about participation. Actively engaging by sharing your work or asking questions is a small but significant step toward becoming an active member in your network. While expanding upon your network, the authors highlight that being selective and purposeful while making connections is an important aspect of growing a strong network. Looking for peers who challenge your way of thinking, have similar interests, and different perspectives is a good way to keep your network grounded. Throughout this chapter, the authors provide advice for how to utilize digital tools such as Twitter, as well as a platform called "Delicious." Making posts, blogs, commenting, and reposting is a great way to engage with others.
As an aspiring Occupational Therapist, these guidelines will help me stay actively connected in my community. Staying an active member in my community not only benefits myself but also the patients. The world of health care is constantly evolving day after day. Staying connected in such a career is critical when it comes to new advances in technology. Throughout this chapter, I really resonated with the concept of making meaningful connections. While using the platform "LinkedIn," I found myself slightly intimidated when I noticed the number of connections some individuals have. When I first started making connections, I primarily focused on connecting with people who have similar interests to mine. However, I found myself also connecting with others who had no similar interests whatsoever due to the fear of "not having enough." Throughout my career, I hope to find more connections who are geared towards my profession and expand my knowledge/challenge my perspectives.
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