PLN Assignment Part 1

Meredith Beard

February 5, 2024

After discovering my passion for Instructional Technology, I began the current school

year at my elementary school within Atlanta Public Schools with the intention of maintaining a

balance between grad school and teaching 2nd grade. However, as the year unfolded, it became

clear that there was another area I could make an impact: helping other teachers with technology.

My co-workers began asking me for help using educational technology such as

Promethean boards, Google Classroom, and Google Drive. I also had the opportunity to attend

the Georgia Educational Technology Conference (GaETC) where I learned so much about the

benefits and uses of technology inside the classroom. These interactions helped me realize the

quantity of educational technology websites and applications available, and I was excited to learn

more.

A pivotal moment in this process occurred when our Educational Technology Specialist

sent out an email inviting teachers at our school to participate in something called APS EdTech

Champions. This initiative, a PLN for educators within all of Atlanta Public Schools, was

designed to foster collaboration and the sharing of new and innovative educational technology

insights. I decided to join to further my knowledge.

Since becoming a member of APS EdTech Champions, our PLN has had monthly live

meetings via Teams, and a variety of assignments aimed at showcasing our ability to use various

educational technology applications. One assignment, for instance, required the creation of an

"All About Me" poster using the Canva platform. I have attached a copy below for reference.
 Made up of about 50 members—including elementary, middle, and high school teachers,

administrators, and non-classroom educators and support staff—our PLN has been a great

resource for collaborative learning. This semester, my goals within this PLN include continuous

engagement in our monthly meetings and active exploration of shared resources. Additionally, I

plan on personally contributing to the PLN by sharing new educational technology finds via

either the Teams channel chat or via live session.