"A Pseudo Swap Meet": Scaffolding Professional Learning Networks for Education Students

• In Event: 31.087 - Exploring Professional Communities

Abstract

This session will present data and findings from a mixed methods study of 60 undergraduate pre-service teachers and graduate in-service teachers across two university contexts who completed a semester-long social media assignment intended to cultivate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions in 60 participants to take advantage and grow their professional learning networks (PLNs). Overall, participants were enthusiastic about utilizing social media and learning alongside classmates and professional educators. They primarily composed descriptive tweets about class content and teaching strategies. The authors argue that scaffolding students in education into social media uses proved largely effective, but all educators must consider students’ prior experiences, learning experiences, and reflections along the way.

Authors

• Nicole R Damico, University of Central Florida

• Daniel G Krutka, University of North Texas