Is joining a PLN bad for morale?

Image via WikipediaA legal blogger I’m friends with, Dennis Kennedy, once stated that within 18 months of getting a blog, most people will have a new job (here’s the link to Dennis’s actual blog post on the topic).Sort of a spoof on Moore’s law, but I haven’t found it to be too far off. I landed a new job within a couple of years of starting Teach42, and owe the blog 100% of the credit for me being hired. I’ve seen many many fantastic educators transition to technology facilitator positions, or go off into consulting, and more often than not it’s because of the exposure they received from their blog. Bigger and better is a wonderful thing.

There’s a flip side to that though. I also know quite a few educators that are becoming more and more disillusioned with their jobs and are leaving teaching, and I can’t help but wonder how much of the blame falls on being part of an open network. Allow me to explain.

Example #1. Teacher A works in a decent district. It isn’t a dream job, but nor is it a slum. She does her job, does it well and loves working with the kids. Then she joins Classroom 2.0 and Twitter and other related sites. She reads about Chris Lehmann and SLA, she hears the great things that Eric Langhorst is doing with students in Missouri, she watches the amazing projects that Vicki Davis comes up with in Georgia… Then all of a sudden her school doesn’t look so great anymore. Why isn’t her school as tech savvy and ‘with it’ as those other schools? Why aren’t her administrators more on the cutting edge of educational theory, and why aren’t more teachers upset by this? Gradually, she starts to realize that her school is just behind and always will be. It’s not worth the time and effort to make the change there, perhaps she’d be better off trying to find a new school to teach at that ‘gets it’. A school where she can really spread her wings with like minded colleagues. Time to dust off the resume.

Example #2. Teacher B goes to a conference and attends a session about forming a personal learning network. He loves the idea and jumps on board. He registers for Twitter, joins a few communities, creates his own blog. He starts getting all these crazy ideas for doing things differently with his students. However, whenever he brings up an idea to his department head, he gets shot down. The DH is ok with blogging, but wants it to be behind the firewall. He doesn’t understand that you miss out on the ‘magic’ if you don’t do it publicly. Podcasts get shot down entirely, and most Web 2.0 sites that he wants to try are blocked. He requests that some get unblocked but nothing seems to happen for days. Gradually he gets more and more upset that most educators are able to take advantage of these great tools, but he isn’t. He is frustrated with his department head’s lack of support, the IT departments lack of response, and can’t figure out why more teachers won’t raise their voice at the injustice of it all. He feels like he has a better grasp of the needs of technology in education than anyone else he works with. Consequently, when a position opens up for a technology integration specialist, he starts giving it some serious thought…

Those are just two examples cobbled together from several conversations I’ve had with people over the past few months. In a nutshell, the newly-gone-natives are getting restless. Being close to people who are amazing examples of the best integration success stories in the world has led to mountain sized feelings of the grass being greener elsewhere. It’s leading to a great many people to think to themselves either, “Surely other schools are more ‘with it’ than mine” or even worse, “Education is doomed because nobody gets it besides we few.”

These are people that were happy, productive, and doing right by students before they got connected. Could it be that the PLN like the Matrix? Once you’re connected, you can never go back. And education is a lot dirtier than most people realized.

Image by dullhunk via FlickrTake the red pill if you want, but once you go down that rabbit hole, you may wind up depressed, disillusioned, and with a strong desire to seek greener pastures. Is being hyper-connected bad for morale?

93 Comments

Tracy Murdach
1/7/2009

Good points, Steve. How about the Tech Specialist who feels a disconnect from the classroom and yearns for that experience again; being able to implement and utilize the tools that as a Tech Specialist, he or she seemed to be beating to death for other teachers to embrace? Wanting to directly impact curriculum first hand in a classroom or grade level and “practicing what is preached?”. Ok, ok..sometimes I feel that way…if I could only directly get my hands on a classroom…how empowered would I be? Technology tools would be thrust upon them and I could bring in the Blooms, NETS, and ISBE standards! I am glorifying it a bit and I know that the waves come and go, but this feeling of mine does come and go. Wondering if this is a common feeling of those of us in the technology resource/leadership/specialist positions…or is it just me?

Martha Thornburgh
1/7/2009

I totally see where you are going with this. I am one who went from classroom to technology integration specialist this year. And yes, I have and do often feel like a Lone Ranger in my own community. It is slow going. But I took the position at the district level in hopes of spreading the excitement I had for using 21st Century Skills in my classroom with others. In my new position, I often still feel like a Lone Ranger. I miss what I was able to do in my own classroom. But I am excited about what is possible and continue to try to share this excitement with others. I do feel a little guilty about getting out of the classroom. My students were way more receptive to my “crazy” ideas than other teachers. But my hope is, that MAYBE I can ignite a fire and more teachers will get on board.

Michelle Baldwin
1/7/2009

I’ve been blogging for 4 years, joined PLNs, presented at multiple conferences and organizations… and I’m ready to go back to the classroom! In fact, I’ve applied for a classroom position for 2009-10 and hoping for the best. I’ll take a HUGE pay cut, but I miss kids. I’ve been in this position for 8 years, and it’s time to take what I’ve learned and do what’s best for children. I feel I can do that best by working with them on a daily basis.

So, I guess, for me anyway, I’ve not felt the yearning to go back to teach as much as I have since I started blogging, etc.

Michelle Baldwin´s most recent blog post.. Time Is What You Make Of It

Christopher D. Sessums
1/7/2009

Hmmm… there are a number of holes in these stories that leave too many variables to consider.
It just seems odd that you take the position of suggesting that engaging technology integration is to blame for teacher dissatisfaction.
I wonder how happy the teachers truly were in their positions prior to taking the blue pill?
I see no problem looking for a school that is more engaging, more responsive, to participatory media. I mean, think about it, do you want to dedicate the best years of your life to a school that still resides in the 18th century when you’re clearly ready for the 21st?
I say ditch the mingy schools and find something better to do with your talents.
Sometimes being on the leading edge means you’ve got to take a different path than everyone else, don’t you think?

Jimbo Lamb
1/7/2009

I think joining a PLN has helped me become better at my job, both as a teacher and as a tech integrator. Yes, there are frustrations, and the grass does seem greener elsewhere, but doesn’t it always? I have actually turned down jobs because I know I have some things good where I am at, even though there are some things bad. It’s something that needs to be kept in mind at all times.

At the same time, I think that we will be able to make more changes to education by staying connected through our PLNs. Being the educational leaders that we are, we are going to be the ones fighting the hard fight working to change and improve education. Even with all the push toward 21st Century Learning, so many educators are still holding on to the ideas and learning practices that worked decades ago. They were good practices, and many have been adapted for today’s students, but why is it that education takes so long to adapt? That’s where those of us in our PLNs come in. We have to be there to support each other and drive each other by saying, “This is how good we have it. How can we get you there, too?”

Jimbo Lamb´s most recent blog post.. The Top 10 edtech Stories I Would Like to See in 2009

Sharon Elin
1/7/2009

I’m straddling both sides of the morale fence, because I left my job as a teacher to become a technology integrator and now because of massive budget cuts, I face being laid off and won’t have the same position next year. Odds are that I’ll go back to the classroom (but even those positions are difficult to find right now in my state).

I left teaching with the idealistic energy of a fired-up convert to technology and 21st Century learning, frustrated in my efforts (as you describe) of trying to pull my school district along for the ride. My new job in a different, neighboring district seemed more progressive, more visionary. Yet, surprisingly, I did miss the classroom: Not the grunt work of grading papers and the unpleasantries of dealing with adversarial parents, not the shuffling of administrative busywork, committees, and bus duties — but the kids! I missed the learning, the continuity, and the personal connections with the kids.

Now it looks like I’ll go back where I started, out of necessity but with an accepting nod. My experience as an integrator has changed me and opened countless possibilities, spawning exciting ideas and approaches. Thanks to my PLNs and immersion in the blogosphere, along with the tidal wave of resources those opened up for me, I’ll be a much different, better teacher than I was before.

Will I be frustrated about the limitations in my district and the hesitance of fellow teachers to embrace 21st Century skills? You bet. Will I keep reaching out to the techno-savvy community for lifelines? Oh, yes. Oh, very much so!

Sharon Elin´s most recent blog post.. New Year’s Resolutions: How can I make this school year better?

Scott Schwister
1/7/2009

You’re on to something here, Steve, in recognizing the sometimes-heady, sometimes-volatile effects of PLN participation on teachers’ identities, sense of vocation, motivation, and all the rest. I’m discovering similar themes in responses to an informal survey about relational trust in PLNs vs. schools: more info at http://tinyurl.com/7oyw6q. Compared to the organic, supportive collegiality found in an opt-in relationship like a PLN, a little restlessness is understandable.

But do I detect that your tongue is ironicaly located in the vicinity of your cheek in asserting that PLNs are bad for morale? Maybe bad for old-school morale, but a healthy discomfort that shakes up old-school inertia with an eye to change and better schools. I’d guess that teachers who are rocked by their PLN experience look back on their pre-PLN practice with new eyes and realize that they weren’t in fact “doing right” by their students–at least, not as right as they may now realize is possible and necessary. A PLN challenges assumptions as readily as it reinforces them—almost as if it’s been intentionally designed as a crucible that compels and catalyzes change. I suspect that for every teacher who pulls up stakes in search of greener pastures, a more progressive school, more supportive colleagues, etc., there are others like Tracy and Michelle who’ve been challenged by their PLN experiences to find relevance by getting back into the classroom. Christian Long is another good example.

Great post.

Scott Schwister´s most recent blog post.. laboring for invention

Melanie Holtsman
1/7/2009

I have worked at one of those schools that would not move forward with change and it had nothing to do with technology. Four years ago, I came to the school where I am now and when a small group of us became aware of web 2.0, began blogging and developed a PLN on twitter…we held receptions and passed out the lemonade to everyone else. My principal embraced it all too and now we have totally revolutionized my workplace and my principal created a technology position to support my new passion and the new hunger of the faculty. This is no fairy tale…there is hope!

Melanie Holtsman´s most recent blog post.. Geek Up

Lori Feldman
1/7/2009

Your timing is great…just had a similar conversation yesterday with a fellow teacher of how my interest in technology has made me think I may be changing the direction of my career. I have learned so much from social networks and Discovery Education Network in the last year that I feel that I have “recreated” myself. My best example is jumping in to present a project I have on a webinar. I had never attended a webinar before, and certainly never had such an audience! I do not intend to leave my job. I LOVE teaching. But if there was a way to combine both…wow.I will keep Tweeting, Plurking, blogging, joining nings, etc. and hope the result is adding more to my bag of tricks.

Lori Feldman´s most recent blog post.. 7 Things You Don’t Know About Me…

Nancy Sharoff
1/7/2009

LOL…did you realize that the image of pills you have in your post is ‘Ritalin’?

I think you’ve got to take your PLNs w/ a grain of salt. Take the ideas that suit your situation and run with them. Try this: Skim your various PLNs and see how many of them actually share failures & disappointments….probably not too many. It’s our nature to take what works and shout it out to the world (or in our case, the PLNs).

Look at it this way, if it weren’t for our PLNs, we might be content where we are, yes, but we’d be like the ostrich with its head in the ground.

One of my previous posts discussed why I stick with my PLNs — it’s because they engage me and make me reach. If my PLNs make me question what I’m doing, then that’s probably a good thing.

It’s always good to take a step back and re-evaluate where you are in your life.

Nancy Sharoff´s most recent blog post.. New Year’s Resolutions? NOT!!!

Clix
1/7/2009

It’s all a matter of perspective. Even though a lot of web tools are blocked and we’re in an EXTREMELY conservative area & there are enormous hoops to jump through to get anything other than Shakespeare approved for our literature curriculum, I can remember what my school does well.

Sometimes my PLN even helps with this – when others are asking for support (or sometimes just ranting) I go, yanno, we’ve got things that annoy me, but on this point we’re all right.

Clix´s most recent blog post.. Hopes for next year (yes, already)

sylvia martinez
1/7/2009

Here’s another angle on this – the time you spend with a virtual PLN may make it less likely that you make the same investment in cultivating the local network you would need to make changes.

I wrote about this here: Community of Interest or Community of Practice?
http://blog.genyes.com/index.php/2008/11/05/community-of-interest-or-community-of-practice/

Of course, nobody should martyr themselves in a hopeless situation, but if there is hope of change, it has to happen with a coalition of local people.

sylvia martinez´s most recent blog post.. Games that encourage student teamwork and collaboration

Leslie
1/7/2009

Everyone in my department grouses that I hang out in the Tech Department too much! I laugh on the way out the door to the Tech Department.

Leslie´s most recent blog post.. SURVIVOR: SCOTLAND! JOKERS, the FLASH

Dennis Kennedy
1/7/2009

Thank you Steve Dembo (@teach42) for mention of “Kennedy’s Law of Blogging” (http://bit.ly/fkdB) in excellent post at http://bit.ly/KJzi

Henry Thiele
1/7/2009

It matches up

First blog post October 2006
http://henrythiele.blogspot.com/2006/10/video-games-and-education.html

New job June 2007

But it is coincidence. I was on track for that kind of move for a long time. I had already become disappointed with the reluctance of my peers to try “new” teaching methods and to embrace technology. Blogging just became another place for my voice.

Henry Thiele´s most recent blog post.. My Bookmarks and Annotations 01/07/2009

Patti Duncan
1/7/2009

I disagree with the premise. My PLN has been an immense resource to me. Every day I have been exposed to new and exciting tools, ideas, and examples of what teaching in the 21st century could and should be. Sure, are there days when I would prefer to have the flexibility that GingerTPLC has or the support of an administrator like scarter, but having an opportunity to see what they are doing INSPIRES me to do more… Having my PLN there, on the good days and the bad MAY be what is KEEPING me in the classroom.

Patti Duncan´s most recent blog post.. I’ve been tagged again…

Jonathan M Pratt
1/7/2009

When individuals experience the significant increase in awareness that modern PLNs can provide, it may be true that some decide to leave the classroom. But I think it’s worth the risk. Perhaps something that tech integration bloggers could improve on is sharing strategies for effective teacher leadership, stories of success, and evaluations of unsuccessful attempts to cause change. The more that we can share our methods – whether successful or not – the more we’ll be able to empower teachers to become leaders and make their own lawns greener.

Susanna Robertson
1/7/2009

After a successful first career in Information Technology, I followed my dreams to become a middle school teacher. I had (and still do) ambitious ideas about how I could help my students prepare to be competitive in today’s (and tomorrow’s) world. This is my third year teaching and I still love it. However, I have begun to think about moving to another district where I could work as a full-time technology coach. My current district has almost no money for technology. There is so much emphasis on test scores that we are neglecting the necessary skills and knowledge our students need to be competitive for college scholarships and job opportunities. Although I am not independently wealthy enough to retire early, I refuse to commit myself to the single goal of higher standardized test scores. If my students leave my classroom as independent thinkers and responsible, ethical citizens of their community, state, and world, then I have done something much more important than raising their test scores. I have to admit, though, that I would really miss the personal interaction that I have with the students who enter my classroom each day. At this point, I will remain in the classroom and fight for the technology advances that we need to survive. I am committed to fully integrating technology in the classroom and will continue to work towards that goal.

Jared Nichol
1/7/2009

While many of you are lamenting and regretting leaving the classroom and not happy with the position of technology integrator/specialist, I am battling another issue. I am an early adopter as compared to most of my colleagues (even though it is only my first year in a 1:1, PLN, 2.0 environment.

One funny thing has happened in my teaching with technology though. I still feel like I can do more, and compared to many of you, I feel miles behind the times. I guess we all have to start somewhere

I started to blog this year to hopefully share both sides of my teaching with tech. The ideas that come into practice in projects and assignment, and also comments on what didn’t work. This is something that is often missed from the rosy picture painted on many blogs and showcases of tech teacher’s work.

I appreciate the honesty of those who have both feet in the consulting, leadership role in their districts. I working on trying to have the best of both world with one foot in the classroom and the other helping teachers in my district embrace technology. My blog will record this.

http://2pointohteaching.blogspot.com

Natalie Wojinski
1/7/2009

Steve:
Thanks for this post. It is something that I’ve been thinking about since I became a Google Certified Teacher last summer. While I feel very behind the Web 2.0 curve and I am not getting much institutional support, because of the enthusiasm of my PLN I feel like I can continue to spread the word about technology integration and other research on teaching and learning. I definitely experience the disillusionment, but at the same time I am strangely invigorated by what I am learning from my PLN. I am just thrilled when I hear of a strategy or technique that I am able to implement and find that it works well! I believe my PLN is making me a better educator even when I struggle with the realities in my district.

Natalie Wojinski´s most recent blog post.. Univseral Letter Writing Week January 8-14, 2009

Brian
1/7/2009

I’m with Sylvia in that the most important thing is building a local community. A virtual PLN can be great for ideas, but a local collaborative group is the only way that you’ll change things. If a virtual PLN is going to lead you to hate where you work, it’s probably because you don’t or can’t cultivate a local network to move your school forward.

With that in mind, it’s infuriating when our administration schedules our Common Planning Periods (a time for collaborative planning and development) in a room with no functioning computer. Never mind that the library has a dozen brand new computers. Our sparsely furnished room must be more than adequate for our meetings. (More on that in the CommentLuv)

Are there days that I wish I climbed back in the cave? Sure. In part because of the possibilities I see shared on the ‘net, and in part because of the persistent dysfunction of my district.

But it’s all too easy to get sucked in. No matter how greener the grass looks elsewhere, how can you leave when your students are going to graduate in a year or two? I’ve planted my roots, and it’ll take something major to yank me out.

Instead, I carve out my little zone of modernity and try to share it with as many people as I can. The difficult question is whether it’s possible to develop a critical mass – or if we’ll eventually run up against a wall.

Brian´s most recent blog post.. Democratic Centralism in the World of Education

MaryAnn Sansonetti
1/7/2009

How about this scenario? You left the classroom to pursue the tech. specialist route because of the things you were doing in the classroom. You wanted an opportunity to share these ideas with others. You are hired because of your thoughts and ideas that are on the forefront of educational change. Then you begin to bring the ideas to the table for change. You go to conferences and learn, as well as, teach wonderful ideas about integrating technology but when you get back to your district job you are told you can’t do this or you can’t do that… ‘CIPA won’t allow it.’ What? then explain why this article in an educational journal talks about it. Everything is no because ‘the machine’ (my term district decision makers) won’t allow it because ‘they’ don’t understand it. A prime example is in my district we spend $7K a year for a resource that isn’t used very often. BUT when a FREE alternative was shown it was shot down simply because it was FREE and therefore could NOT be good. What?

I have given serious thought about going back in to the classroom because as a teacher I can be more innovative with students in “my classroom” than I can trying to make systemic change across the my district. It would be a HUGE pay cut but the rewards would be incredible and I could prepare students for our global world.

I don’t think the PLN causes bad morale. I think in some cases envy does grow. But I also think we are in a pivotal time with the changing of the guard in education. ‘The machine’ is changing. The old regime is beginning to retire. Those who don’t understand are beginning to go home. And the decision makers that effect a district are turning in to those who are more tech. savvy and open to new educational practices. So change is on the horizon or at least it is my hope that it is.

MaryAnn Sansonetti´s most recent blog post.. Happy New Year’s Everyone!

Chad Lehman
1/7/2009

What an interesting post. I left the classroom a few years ago to become a library media specialist in our district mainly because of the emphasis on technology in this position. I figured I would be able to work with all of the students in the school, instead of just my class. As I learn more about the cool tools available, I often wish I was back in the classroom because I would have more time with the students compared to the one hour a week I have now. If I was still in the classroom, I could certainly see myself as Teacher A in the example above.

I’m also thinking about approaching our district with the idea of creating a tech integration specialist position – for me. We don’t have this position in our district at all and I think it would be right up my alley. Now Steve has put a few doubts in my head over this idea – thanks!

With any change to a different school, district, or position, there are always unknowns. The only way to really know if you’ve made the right move is to go for it and find out. If it doesn’t work out like you wanted, hopefully you can find something that will satisfy you. If not, I guess you just have to make the best out of the situation. At least you tried.

For the record, I’m not giving up my PLN and really enjoy the conversations I’ve had over the last year or so. The learning has been great.

Chad Lehman´s most recent blog post.. I Hope College Is In The Future

Sue Wyatt
1/7/2009

Having been a technology specialist for a couple of years in a primary school, I found the years when I had my own class were more productive.

In 2008, we had 4 computers in the classroom, a smartboard and my laptop. Within a week of school starting we were blogging as a class, using a wiki and other forms of web2.0 By the end of the year we had run an international student blogging ocmpetition, taught a few other grade 6/7 teachers about blogging, used a wiki with all the grade 6/7 students.

But we were lucky, in that our principal allows us to try out new things. Even though the department preferred teachers to use blogs within a walled garden, I explained this wouldn’t suit me and so I finally got permission to blog outside that wall.

As one of only a few using computers all the time, I get on well with my computer techies and sites are unblocked fairly easily.

I could always change to a new school, but with only a couple of years till retirement, I would rather pass on knowledge to those teachers who want to get into the 21st century with their computer skills.

My PLN is certainly useful for me when I need a question answered or when I want to collaborate around the world. You need to think positively and change the world one step or person at a time.

Sue Wyatt´s most recent blog post.. Running a student blogging competition

CIndy Lane
1/8/2009

As usual Steve, you make me think! While I understand your well taken points, (and I admit, I too feel like my hands are duct taped at times)I choose to transform this slow rage into change…sometimes I’m successful, sometimes I’m not, but we have to channel this unrest and forge ahead to make those changes happen…My Google PLN is screaming at me… BE THE CHANGE!!..Yeah, we have to strap on our boots, dig our heels into our jobs we have chosen and be the change and MAKE the change, who else is there that has the passion?

CIndy Lane´s most recent blog post.. Happy New Year!

ken
1/8/2009

Doesn’t Teacher A have some responsibility to be, ugh…I can’t believe I’m about to say this, an agent of change?

I see that others may have already said this, but my grinchy-heart just doesn’t ‘feel bad’ b/c teachers A & B, like Aristotle’s cave dwellers, actually ventured out of the cave.

ken´s most recent blog post.. OTC irony

Jen
1/8/2009

I think it might be a “grass is greener” sort of thing

I left teaching a took a new job this year as a tech integrator. It wasn’t something I’d even known existed as a position until I had to pack up and move to a new state where teaching jobs were hard to come by and it turned out I was qualified for this. Since starting I’ve been frustrated, and really happy. I have some great teachers who are trying new things, but I have some administrators who are slow to embrace (or see no reason to embrace) new technology.

Having worked at my new job for just a short while, though, I find I’m really eager to get back into the classroom. I’m finding resources and coming up with ideas–or parts of ideas–all the time. Now, I just want to get back into a classroom and implement them. I have some really great teachers to work with, but its not the same as doing it myself.

Jen´s most recent blog post.. An Unexpected Project

Richard Platts
1/8/2009

Very thought provoking post. I’m a classroom teacher in a very successful district (good test scores) with a relatively low priority for integration of technology in any consistent and long-term way. We have a competent technology team, who works with teachers to try to give them access to technology, but the focus seems to be on infrastructure, not integration.

As I read your blog and others, I feel more and more isolated in my desire to use technology to affect student learning. The kids are not used to using technology for much more than presentational tools (Word/PowerPoint) True, there are others, but banding together to be “change-agents” is difficult to do here.

That being said, my learning from others gives me something to strive for, a viewpoint that I would never get from within the confines of my district, and that is, in the end a good thing.

Scott Schwister
1/8/2009

@Steve: I tried leaving this comment yesterday, but Teach42 decided I was an evil spammer and kicked it back. Trying again with a pure heart.

Great post.

Steve
1/8/2009

@Tracy
Definitely not just you. But would you go back to the classroom again? What’s stopping you?

Also curious about the ‘beating to death’ comment. I hear you, and I empathize. I keep thinking to myself, “I wonder how WIll Richardson manages to put on a smile as he does Blogging 101 for the billionth time?” But the reality is, there’s still a great need for him, and others, to do those sessions. As much now as ever. It’s tiring and frustrating, but at the same time noble and needed. Back to the theme of the post though…. Did you feel the same disconnect and frustration before you got rolling in the current online community, be it Twitter, Classrom 2.0 or whatever?

Steve
1/8/2009

@Martha
So for you, it wasn’t disillusionment that led you to leave the classroom, it was more of an idea that changing position would help you best to spread the KoolAid and make change from within?

I think you’ve hit onto another significant topic though worth exploring. If you’re getting significant push back from other teachers, where is that coming from? Besides the ‘they don’t get it’ point, what is it that impedes adoption of new ideas?

Steve
1/8/2009

@Michelle
I just got chills.

Honest to goodness chills.

That’s fantastic and truly inspirational. Congratulations on making the move and I can’t wait to journey along with your classroom, in whatever ways you choose to share it.

Steve
1/8/2009

@CSessums
Yes and no. First of all, maybe the title comes on to strong. I don’t necessarily think that tech integration leads to unhappiness. But I’m hearing more and more stories from friends that are dissatisfied with their school, position, administration and policies. Obviously that’s nothing new, people are always looking for something better. But the NUMBER of people that I’ve been hearing from in similar positions is far larger than I’ve ever experienced before. So I’m wondering what could be causing such mass-dissatisfaction. Obviously there could be any number of causes, but one potential contributor could be an overly exaggerated “The grass is greener over there” idea. Due to increased communication between educators on a large scale, people are being exposed to isolated windows in hundreds of other schools, and often the view from that window is pretty green because that’s what they’re CHOOSING to share… the good stuff.

To go to your example, I’m wondering how many people are in perfectly decent or even above average 20th and 21st century schools, but decide to leave in order to seek out Camelot, which may not even exist anywhere exist as an amalgam of blog posts.

Hope that makes sense.

Steve
1/8/2009

@Jimbo
Good call. And that’s a great example of why PLN’s are important and worthwhile. Couldn’t agree with you more on those points.

I think you’ve really hit the nail dead on though with your comment, “I know I have some things good where I am at, even though there are some things bad. It’s something that needs to be kept in mind at all times.” I think it’s very easy to see 140 characters from somebody celebrating a victory and think to yourself, “Wow, things are so good there. Why isn’t my school like that?”

Being able to step back and appreciate the merits of where you are is important. I think it’s very easy for other places and positions to seem sexy, particularly in filtered bite sized chunks. But even if you did go there, I bet you’d find that things aren’t really all that different from where you were.

Thanks for putting it in perspective.

Steve
1/8/2009

@sharon Wow, sounds like you’ve really got some great first hand experience with the issue we’re discussing.

One thing I’d be curious to hear you elaborate on just a touch. When you left the classroom before, can you share a bit more about your motivations at the time? You mention that you were interesting in helping to pull you district along, into the ’21st century’ per se. But were you also doing it out of frustration? Did you feel at all like you couldn’t be an effective teacher because of issues at school? Or that your school was way behind and you needed to step up to bring your own school up to speed? That’s a feeling I’ve been getting from many people, I’m curious to know if any of those feelings figured into the decision…

Regardless, I’m sorry about your position being removed, but happy to hear how positive you are about returning to the classroom. Good luck!

Steve
1/8/2009

@Melanie
That’s fantastic! And I hope the moral of the story is that it’s possible to turn your own garden into paradise. Instead of leaving the school and moving to somewhere else that was farther along the path, you helped make things happen where you were.

Heh, I’m thinking that there may be just a few other people who would like you to elaborate on how you made that happen. Have you blogged about it? And if so, can you share a few links?

Steve
1/8/2009

@Nancy
Bingo. Very well put. Sometimes the best posts are when people share their failures, but you’re right, those are few and far between. Frustrations, maybe…. We do hear more about those, especially on sites like Twitter, but for the most part, people are sharing the good stuff. The ostrich analogy is very appropriate.

Oh, no I didn’t realize that the pills were Ritalin. Perhaps my subconscious clicked on that one

Vicki Davis
1/8/2009

To me, we all have insecurities. Do I not pick up a fashion magazine because it makes me feel like a fat, old woman?

No.

We all feel insecure. When we view from the outside in, we seem to think the other person has it great. Well, speaking for myself — I have my own set of HUGE frustrations here and we have a long way to go.

To me, it is a matter of doing your best where you are – and remember that it takes time and consistent hard work to improve yourself and your classroom. No one who does anything great does anything overnight – when we started in November 2005, I KNEW NOTHING!!!! Yes, I cried and was in tears. Yes, I felt like a loser and a bad teacher.

But, when you have that awakening, then it is time to do something and know that a mountain climber climbs the highest peak one step at a time.

If you quit, you’re guaranteed to fail.

So, we all feel this way and I often feel jealous of the budgets of others and the resources and the fact that I have to fix computers and teach full time!!! What a stressor.

But we all have stressors and weaknesses. Improve ourselves consistently and gradually one step at a time – it is the only way for sustainable improvement and learning.

Vicki Davis´s most recent blog post.. Thank you so much

Tracy Murdach
1/8/2009

Steve,
I have been a Tech Specialist in a K-2 building for five years; Computer Lab Teacher K-8 three years; 5th Grade teacher three years, 1st/2nd Multiaged three years(seeing a pattern here, eh?) … I am trying to reinvent year after year as our students come into school year after year more exposed to technology and how technology impacts teaching and learning changes so rapidly! Don’t get me wrong, I love what I do….just thinking outside my current reality.

My online communities are great! Frustrating to me, no…adding to the disconnect, maybe. I learn so much from my PLN and then share with my staff through Lunch and Learns, emails, small groups. It bums me out when I see the educational value of these resources and ideas that come out of my PLN go under-used. I have an email list of contacts in which I share (outside of my building) with too! This group gets my morale going all of the time! These are just guys and gals I have met over the years in education….

So, maybe my PLN does have something to do with my current state of mind….if only my PLN was not so AWESOME, I would not be having this conversation!

Melissa Rollosson
1/8/2009

More things to contemplate.
I oftentimes find myself jealous that others in education are allowed to do the things they do. Most times I am fighting an uphill battle simply to get teachers to use technology in their classrooms, nuch less be cutting edge.
One of my principals can’t/won’t see the benefits of technology in the classroom. Another is gung ho, yet doesn’t provide her teachers time to learn and experiment. In the meantime, I may lose my ITRT job due to budget cuts in VA….and I doubt I would want to go into the classroom they would out me in.
C’est la vie

Melissa Rollosson´s most recent blog post.. GoAnimate and Pocketmod

Kevin Jarrett
1/8/2009

Hey Steve, and everyone, now that Sylvia has commented I have the perfect context to chime in.

PLNs are like anything else: what you make of them. Like everyone else here, I’ve made INCREDIBLE professional contacts in the VERY short time I’ve been actively building my PLN. It has grown so rapidly I can hardly believe it. It’s international. And, here’s the kicker: it includes very FEW people from my own district! I pondered this a while ago in this post:

On professional development, online social learning, and the “personal” in personal learning networks
http://tinyurl.com/68t774

…because in my view at least, these amazing international PLNs really need a ‘local’ component to realize their full potential. So, when I noticed a few local teachers, administrators and parents joined my PLN, I had an idea: meet with them in PERSON to flesh out and support each other and our desire to do what else … promote PLNs and personal professional responsibility IN OUR OWN SCHOOLS to help us bring our districts to where we know they can be.

We created a group on Classroom 2.0, a predecessor to our own Ning if we decide we need it:

http://tinyurl.com/a5wqw7

And, we had our first meetup, which went well:

http://tinyurl.com/6ttpcr

Bottom line, the grass is ALWAYS greener, and you NEVER know what another organization is like until you WORK THERE. I’ve changed jobs enough (before becoming a teacher six years ago) to to understand that it’s best to NEVER “leave” a bad work situation; it’s preferable to “go” somewhere and take advantage of an opportunity you simply can’t pass up.

So I see PLNs as important in the fight to help us improve our own schools, and, if need be, to help us identify opportunities that might be the next important step in our careers.

BTW, Kristen Hokanson and I are presenting a session on this very topic at EduCon later this month. It’s called:

Network Globally ~ Act Locally: bringing global learning to local learning networks

Great conversation!

-kj-

Kevin Jarrett´s most recent blog post.. 3rd Grade Solar System Project: We’re Halfway Home…

Steve Dembo tells it like it is « Patrick Malley
1/8/2009

[...] Steve Dembo tells it like it is [...]

Scott Schwister
1/8/2009

Hey, if PLNs are the Matrix, who gets to be Neo? Will Richardson?

Scott Schwister´s most recent blog post.. laboring for invention

Alan Levine
1/8/2009

Will took the blue pill and then scarfed all the fresh cookies baked by the Oracle

Nice job, Steve on launched a nerve pinching blog post. I would accept the scenario as plausible as a series of events, but cannot really see how the PLN can be made a cause any dis-satisfaction. That’s not fair nor where the responsibility is. We all have choices and ought to claim them as our own.

Alan Levine´s most recent blog post.. Getting for Giving

Steve
1/9/2009

@Sylvia
Dig it. And definitely a different spin on it. I’d also throw in that virtual participation feels easier and safer. You don’t need to stick your neck out face to face with someone to participate. People may say and do things virtually that they would have a hard time doing face to face, particularly if it involves confrontation.

Off to read the post, thanks for sharing the perspective!

Steve
1/9/2009

@Patti
And that’s how it SHOULD be. And I think it does have that effect the majority of the time. To be honest, I’m hoping that most people do feel that way. It just seems to me that quite a few people have either changed position or schools recently, and can really point to their experiences with the PLN as the ‘culprit’. Not that those experiences were harmful, deceitful, malicious or anything else along those lines. But hearing about so much great stuff elsewhere, could lead some people to question why they don’t see the same things happening in their own school/district. The feeling may not be correct or justified, but I do worry that sometimes things seem a little too sunny. Heh, sort of like the world you see in commercials versus the real world.

Why doesn’t my Big Mac look like the one in the commercial? Well the gods honest truth is that it’s because my Big Mac isn’t covered in plastic and gloss and such. Mine may not look better, but it sure does taste better. I’m just a little concerned that many people may not consciously realize this.

Steve
1/9/2009

@msansonetti
Another great example, and not an uncommon one. Heh, at one point I converted my school’s website to a blog. It looked exactly the same, but made it so I could make changes in minutes, instead of spending hours doing simple updates. Everything was going smooth until my Head of School heard that our school website was now a blog. And she made me change it back.

LoL, it still seems ridiculous. I should have just wiggled my nose, nodded my head and said, “Poof! It has now changed back (so far as you know).” Nobody would have ever known the difference. Regardless, it’s a frustrating situation to be in.

I do think there’s a lot of misinformation out there, and a lot of people don’t understand what’s kosher and what isn’t. It leads to what I (and many other ‘enlightened’ people) would consider to be bad decision making.

But that’s the reality of the business we’re in. And I think MOST schools are facing those problems. Even the ones that appear to have greener front lawns. I do wonder how many people leave the place they’re at for greener pastures, only to find that they’re surrounded by more of the same…

Steve
1/9/2009

@Chad
LoL, don’t mean to plant any doubts, and believe me when I say I don’t mean to criticize or discourage anybody from changing positions. But I do think everyone who’s thinking about it needs to really consider whether they’re running to a new challenge or running from something unpleasant. It’s something to really think about.

And I wouldn’t even consider giving up my own PLN, nor would I suggest anybody else do so. But in the book “Contact”, there’s a conversation about whether people are happier, deep down inside, because of technology. Does having a computer, and cell phone and car make people happier than they were 200 years ago? Similarly, are teachers happier now that they’re part of a PLN? Or were they actually happier before they took the red pill?

Something to chew on.

Steve
1/9/2009

@mrplatts
I think you’re a perfect example then. Instead of creating disillusionment and unhappiness, you’re turning those feelings into something positive and creating goals from them. Your school seems remarkably similar to the one I worked at. The reasons I left are pretty well documented throughout the blog, but I do wonder whether I should have stuck it out longer and tried to do more to be a change agent. I feel like I accomplished quite a bit, but I do wonder whether one reason I chose to leave at that time was because I felt like I was hitting a wall.

Who knows? Regardless, I think you’ve got the right attitude about things. Like others have commented before, it’s important to be the change agent for your school. Even if you’re flying a solo mission.

Steve
1/9/2009

@Scott
Yes, it was tongue in cheek…. sorta. I don’t think being a part of a PLN is bad for morale. Nor do I think that it’s the reason I’m seeing so many people seeking new positions. And yet, I do feel that joining these new online communities is a very eye opening experience, and when you add that new filter on (distorted as it is), it could make you see your own school/district/job in a different light.

Ignorance is bliss. Gaining knowledge takes away that bliss. Is gaining knowledge bad for morale then? Well no… but also kinda yes.

I guess you could say “The lack of a PLN is bliss.”

Steve
1/9/2009

@CogDog
I think that gets right to the heart of the matter. Being a member of a PLN simply exposes you to so many more types of cookies available. And if you aren’t satisfied with how the cookies you baked look or taste, that isn’t the fault of the cookie store for having so many good looking options, or the fault of the bakers for making them. If you think your cookie is inferior, it’s up to you to figure out what to do about it. But leaving cookies for cupcakes is kind of an extreme choice to make, and if you do it, it better be for the right reasons.

Ok, that’s as far as I’m willing to take that one

Steve
1/9/2009

@CoolCat
I was really hoping you’d chime in. I deliberately used you as an example because I think some people may think that you’re in some sort of ideal setting, with huge budgets, an incredible supportive IT department, loads of planning time and so on. I do wonder how many people think, “Well, if I worked in a school like hers I could be doing those things too.” But you don’t work in an ideal environment. In fact, you’ve overcome some pretty hefty challenges and keep gaining momentum. So in some sense, you really live the counter argument.

If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, start watering your lawn more often.

Disillusioned? | meL's Word
1/9/2009

[...] Teach 42 blog about whether or not joining Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) was bad for morale (Is joining a PLN bad for morale?). Steve cited two examples of teachers leaving positions after learning what others are doing [...]

Kelli Warnock
1/10/2009

Steve,

After reading your post, I feel that I could be the teacher in either example. I have dusted off the resume for greener pastures, especially those that would provide the technology. However, I am still in my current position, becoming the educator in example number 2. You can definitely say that morale has gone down the drain when it comes to technology amongst colleagues. It was determined that only two content areas are receiving smart boards, computers etc…, thus making the other content areas “depressed” and frustrated. Your article has inspired me to take the ideas of PLN’s to at least those two content areas and encourage them to use them. Eventually the concepts and excitement could trickle down to the other content areas as well. Thank you.

Selena Ward
1/10/2009

I agree with you Steve and Patti. My PLN is the group that gets me through my frustration with the little things like the administration putting paper copies of emails in my school’s mailbox. The group also encourages me to keep up my blog and submit proposals to conferences. Through the support of my PLN and all of their resources I realize I am capable of more. As my supervisor says, “I am now on the radar.” That is the double-edged sword.

Now I wonder if I should be doing more somewhere else? One can only bang their head against the same wall so many times before you start looking for a new wall. I realize that I have it easier than most and I grateful for my position. I get positive notes and emails from parents and students. I went down the rabbit hole and am now waiting to see what is on the other side.

Selena Ward´s most recent blog post.. Birds of a Feather…

Just a Thought… » Blog Archive » PLN - The Open Window after the Door Closed
1/10/2009

[...] Dembo is the motivation behind this post (thanks Steve!). His last post asked if personal learning networks, or PLNs, are bad for morale. That post inspired me and when [...]

Lisa Parisi
1/11/2009

Wow, Steve, you could have been writing about me. But I don’t see my disillusionment with my district as negative. I work hard to make change with those colleagues that want it, enjoy what I am doing in my classroom as long as the door is shut, and keep one eye opened for a more tech position.

I do believe that the feeling I have of wishing I could do what others are doing, makes me work harder to get my classroom to be a facsimile of those others. So my PLN forces me to stretch my wings and soar. And I am forever grateful for having taken the pill.

Susanna Robertson
1/11/2009

Although I am new to blogging, it is amazing how much helpful information is available this way! I am only in my third year of teaching (second career), but I have already begun to think about moving from the classroom to a tech position in another district. By reading the comments of those who have done this already, I am able to see things from other perspectives. Thanks to everyone for sharing!

Peggy Sheehy
1/11/2009

TY @mmckormick for directing me to post from @teach42 @http://tinyurl.com/6vlxpt munching on it…

This phenomenon of joining a public lear … « Must … Write … Something
1/11/2009

[...] on January 11, 2009 | # | Tags: career, innovation, lessonslearned, thoughts This phenomenon of joining a public learning network and soon seeking greener grass is not limited to education, innovators always face frustration. Connecting and learning just often [...]

Steve
1/12/2009

@lparisi Another shining example of what happens when you take the potential negative energy and use it in a positive way. I knew that you had your hurdles, but I appreciate you sharing how you felt about those things. Definitely should be encouraging to other people to see one way to spin things around.

dougbelshaw.com/blog » Blog Archive » The Third Conversation
1/13/2009

[...] Is joining a PLN bad for morale? [...]

Jim Wenzloff
1/13/2009

Steve,

Great post. I read it early today and have been thinking about it all day. When I came back this evening and saw all the comments, I could tell you struck a nerve.

I know you think in it is more than PLN’s. It is being creative, engaging students in real learning. and taking advantages of the technology. I think people get frustrated when their co-workers and the administration tries to drag them back to the pack.

A long time ago (ok I’m old) I won an award for my use of technology in the classroom. One of the issues we discussed at the time in the lack of support we had amongst our peers. We had support at conferences and special gatherings but not in our school.

I think the technology now provides the support and the isolation in the buildings continue. The issue is how do you build support from other teachers, the administration, and the school board.

I’ve been out of the classroom for over 15 years now. There are still days I miss it.

Great post,

Jim

Jim Wenzloff´s most recent blog post.. Just One Click

Evan Abbey
1/13/2009

Interesting article by Steve Dembo on PLN http://tinyurl.com/6vlxpt

Jim McGuire
1/14/2009

Your portrayal of the challenges teachers face as we attempt to integrate technology is so realistic. Unfortunately directives and censorship are a hurdle we must overcome as we strive for a classroom of today.

Cindy Wright
1/15/2009

Steve,
Wow, your post gives me a lot to think about as I was just getting ready to email you to ask how I can find out more information about the Twitter App that we used to set up all the followers from Discovery Education. I am supposed to be presenting on the benefits of PLNs at an upcoming technology conference. I wanted teachers to begin with Twitter and had hoped to create a group of users from Ohio related to our EETT grants.
I know in my own situation, I have greatly benefitted from creating my own PLN. Although I sometimes feel I am just taking and not doing enough giving, I do then give to the teachers I work with in the classrooms.
Overall, I believe PLNs are a good thing!

barcamping on plymouth rock « Higher Edison
1/17/2009

[...] Dembo was only half-joking when he suggested that participating in a PLN is like unplugging from the Matrix; once your eyes are opened, you [...]

Eddie Carr
1/18/2009

I am firmly in the example #2 camp. If a position like that opens up I will think about it. Although it didn’t take creating a PLN on Twitter to have these thoughts. I started thinking about what to do different with my career after being told no to Google Apps for my school.

This blocking of Google Apps is on the verge of being changed, thanks to my school’s math department head wanting to change a project how he wants students to collaborate on a project. Previously the students did their collaborating by meeting at someone’s house, in the library after school, or in our computer lab after school. Now that may change thanks our district changing it’s collective mind about Google Apps.

I think it will take these technologically forward thinking teachers moving into these positions of ed tech administrators to change the culture of education. Those that want to bring web 2.0 tools, and whatever comes next, into the classrooms may do more good for students by taking that position of ed tech coordinator or coach. Not that they couldn’t do great things for their students in a classroom. But, they may do more by teaching teachers to use these tools.

Eddie Carr
1/18/2009

Of course I would need to upgrade my educational papers first. A masters or phd in ed tech should do.

Eddie Carr´s most recent blog post.. Inauguration: Historic Irony

Point of Departure: Food for Thought 1.1 (W to S) « Clyde Street
1/18/2009

[...] about employment status. (I thought some of the comments on Tomas’s post resonnated with Steve Dembo’s post earlier this month.) This week Tomaz’s posted about Memetics (10 January) and I [...]

relational trust survey results « Higher Edison
1/18/2009

[...] the school scores were almost rock bottom. What does it mean? You got me. It may lend support to Steve Dembo’s theory that participation in a PLN catalyzes some teachers’ decisions to leave a school, or even to [...]

Turning a corner . . . back to what I want to be doing | mrplatts.com
1/23/2009

[...] theme with me recently, something that I shared in a comment on Teach42 — Steve Dembo asked, Is joining a PLN bad for morale? I commented that as I read more and more about the innovative, and impactful things that people in [...]

Turning a corner . . . back to what I want to be doing | mrplatts.com
1/23/2009

Too Connected « Practicing Resurrection
1/25/2009

[...] Posted by Paul on January 25, 2009 Recently, I decided to unplug from Twitter and Facebook and Stumbleupon and only allow myself to check email and peak at my Bloglines reader. I did this for two reasons: 1) My wife was reminding me how much time the computer was taking out of my days. This was a truth I didn’t want to admit and one I’d been struggling with. Between teaching and the computer, I wasn’t devoting much time to the things that are important (i.e. wife and daughter) [Disclaimer: I wasn't shirking responsibilities or daddy-daughter time, really.] 2) I was feeling overloaded, too connected. Does this make sense? These were my thoughts the morning I read Teach42’s post about joining a PLN. [...]

dprice
1/27/2009

I think looking for greener pastures is the best way to boost morale. Ignorance is not always bliss.

Paul McMahon
1/28/2009

Wow! Went to leave a quick note and got caught up reading some of the 72!! comments.
Unlike Michelle in post #3 above, I am considering returning to the classroom to take a pay increase!! Try working as a digital learning consultant in exam and tutor driven Hong Kong it is a sure way to poverty. You guys seem to be a long way ahead in terms of wanting to move with the use of ICT across the curriculum. Here all of the schools are rushing to adopt the IB Diploma which is a very rigorous exam-driven course. Some schools are going 1:1 laptops and trying to find more maths texts in PDF and sites where kids can practice mensuration problems over and over like they do now only with online feedback.
Anyway great post! I moved to Hong Kong nearly 5 years ago but realised that the high tech side of the city is resisted by all but the most progressive of classrooms. Seriously considering a move to a country that gets the need to shift teachers and students to 21st Century methodologies. We all have our challenges I guess but I would advise those contemplating a shift to the “grass is greener” schools and systems to do their homework first.
Cheers

Paul McMahon´s most recent blog post.. The Right People in the Right Place at the Right Time

ThisGlobe.com Blogs » Do PLN’s breed Dissatisfaction?
1/31/2009

[...] Dembo pontificates if “Joining a PLN is bad for your morale.” He says: “Example #1. Teacher A works in a decent district. It isn’t a dream [...]

ThisGlobe.com Blogs » Basics for Beginners: What is Web 2.0?
1/31/2009

[...] article As I’ve been talking to some of you, and reading the thoughts shared both here and on Steve Dembo’s blog about the daunting task of getting up to speed on all of this “new stuff,” I have [...]

February 3 – UR Instructional Tech Integration
2/3/2009

[...] Is Joining a PLN Bad for Morale?- be sure to read the comments [...]

Sean Nash
2/6/2009

Hey Steve…

Been away as a reader for a while, new baby two months ago (making 2 under 2 years)… and grad school is killing me.

That said- Interesting post to come late to. The train of commentary here makes a pretty prophetic post of this one.

I can identify with a lot of this. Actually- I left the classroom full-time three years ago as a generalist instructional coach. I now teach Dual-Credit Biology during one period (with marine bio as an additional night course) of the day… and work on staff development issues throughout the rest of the day.

Almost a year ago in April, I was given sort of the “go ahead” to focus my job more towards tech integration within my high school building. I was allowed to pull together a “coalition of the willing” -of sorts- consisting 20 staff. We purchased MacBook Pros, digital cameras, iPods… and then took off on building PLN’s and becoming tech-savvy adults before thinking of tech-integration with students before we knew what we were doing.

In that one year… I wrote my first blog post in April, didn’t even write one in May… slowly built a head of steam… you helped directly with 30DTBBB… created http://virtualsouthside.ning.com … http://thesynapse.ning.com … http://mwsu-bio101.ning.com … blah blah blah. And that is just a drop into the bucket of immersion from this past school year.

I am now on a district-level technology think tank aimed at developing a mission for the future. It is a pretty exciting time to be in a fairly open-minded school district. The remaining 60 teachers will come online with our 1st cohort this summer. We are pretty excited.

I think the reason I have bypassed the “grass is greener” syndrome here is the fact that I was pulled out of full-time teaching prior to this year. I had already felt the sting, as well as the beauty, of viewing classroom instruction as it looked outside of the four walls of my classroom. Therefore, this year, all of the digital connectedness did nothing but enhance my efforts.

I think the real key here is that my district was wise enough prior to implementation of our coaching model in secondary schools… to require that we keep one full class of students. The keeps us grounded with all of the grading, accountability, march toward standards, etc., that all teachers face.

It also gives us a “lab class” that allows us to truly find out what works before dumping a pile of new things out onto the entire staff. Honestly- I think this is key. Any district thinking of pulling teachers completely out of the classroom for any staff development purpose, be it instructional, technology, etc… should really really stop and consider allowing these top professionals to hold on to at least a sliver of the job that brought them into the business in the first place. It just makes sense for too many reasons.

Does juggling all of this at once drive me extremely crazy? Of course it does. However, to have no classroom duty/responsibility/creativity/inspiration is to be far too out of touch with the real world of education.

Sean Nash´s most recent blog post.. What does the “Information Superhighway” really look like?

Melanie Holtsman
2/24/2009

Here’s my PLN story, Steve. Thanks for this post. It was obviously so relevant for many! And…nice to meet you at FETC!
http://tinyurl.com/cy9y4y

Melanie Holtsman´s most recent blog post.. From PLN to P-L-A-N for Moving our School Forward

AngelaStockman
3/10/2009

@teach42’s post Is Joining a PLN Bad for Morale provides great perspective. Post/comments worth taking in. http://twshot.com/?AWT

MagistraM
3/10/2009

RT @AngelaStockman@teach42’s post Is Joining a PLN Bad for Morale provides great prspctive. Interesting post/comments http://twshot.com/?AWT

Liz Becker
3/10/2009

Hi @mikesqaltney – @teach42’s http://twshot.com/?AWT seems somewhat related to your question on why more people aren’t using technology.

Nancy Devine
3/10/2009

Brilliant post.
I can’t go back to being un-connected.
And I’m struggling to figure this all out as it relates to my job as a teacher.

Nancy Devine´s most recent blog post.. Who tweets more…

jennyluca
3/10/2009

@teach42 love your post about PLNs, but i still like being connected http://tinyurl.com/6vlxpt

Onramp Installment 17: Disrupting the Organization
5/24/2009

[...] social media for learning and reaching a brick wall professionally, check out Steve Dembo’s post here, and read through the comments. I have known many people who have left their organizations [...]

Day 2 - 5/28 & 6/1 – UR Instructional Tech Integration
5/28/2009

[...] Is Joining a PLN Bad for Morale?- be sure to read the comments [...]

How To Raise Rabbits - The Complete Beginners Guide For Rabbit Owners. | 7Wins.eu
6/17/2009

[...] Quiver & Quill » The Social Media Gift Guide Is joining a PLN bad for morale? – Teach42 [...]

Shelley
11/17/2009

@sammorra @TeachaKidd @datruss S.Dembo (@teach42) wrote a great piece re: this: Is joining a PLN bad for morale? – http://bit.ly/1RD8ni

David Truss
11/17/2009

RT @butwait:@teach42 wrote a great piece re: Is joining a PLN bad for morale? – http://bit.ly/1RD8ni ~Thanks Shelley, a good read indeed!

Shani Hartley
11/18/2009

RT @datruss: RT @butwait: @teach42 wrote a great piece re: Is joining a PLN bad for morale? – http://bit.ly/1RD8ni

Shelley
1/31/2010

.@teach42 Would've been great to have you there. I did quote you re: "Is joining a PLN bad for morale?" (ref: http://bit.ly/1RD8ni)