Chad and Russ- great to see you connected! I think this is a great topic for discussion- we use, as Chad knows, the DuFour PLC model in Albemarle- but lots of us also participate in virtual PLNs- and in some cases- the PLN and PLC begin to blend across functions. definitely worth your best thoughts on this.

Pam

One big thing thing that separates a PLC from a PLN is context. As a group of 6th grade Language Arts teachers, we sit down after we’ve assessed students and talk about what went well, etc. We can talk about the common assessments we used. It (attempts to) remove those variables.

I think a person can maintain a PLN and a PLC in perfect harmony, but I think it’s important to have the distinction between the two.

I meant to type PLC and might have left the title in place regardless to drive home the idea for social media novices that groups like the PLN and ECN Ning regularly offer specific help to educators in need of making changes in the classroom. While specific student data isn’t involved, a sense of teamwork on our students’ behalf is, and I hope I was able to communicate that to the folks who visited the kiosk.

Our idea and practice of PLC work is more limited by definition – and for the good reason of protecting students – but I hope we continue to share with one another the products we bring out of PLC discussions that help our students. I certainly appreciate your comments here, as well, Russ.

Best,
C

So, while it may be possible to have a PLC that is strictly online, that PLC would be the extreme exception.

LOVE the slideshow, but I’m left wondering if you meant PLN when you typed PLC. It could have been a totally honest mistake.