Learning Networks
As a Physical Education teacher I have joined a couple of different learning networks. For this discussion, I will focus on the three networks I use the most and talk a little about the other networks I use as well. The main learning network I use is called PSAHPERD or Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance which is designed by health and physical education teachers to help sharpen professional skills, gain insight on different ways of teaching and expand our networks outside of our school districts. PSAHPERD not only has information online that can be used by members for day to day lesson plans but they also hold a conference every year to help share new information that pertains to our field and allows us to meet other teachers in our profession. I have both consumed and contributed when it comes to this network but I mostly go to learn and meet new people. I love this network because I always learn something new and bring back new connections to my district that I can bounce ideas off of in the future.
A new learning network that I just joined is called OPEN or Online Physical Education Network. This is a free site used by Physical Education Teachers that shares curriculum resources, professional development ideas, and podcasts that share information that all teachers can use and benefit from. They focus on Physical Education but also how to communicate with parents and students. I have not fully learned how to contribute to this network yet but I have found that they have a lot of resources to share and I am excited to learn more about this network.
The final network I use almost daily is Pinterest. I have shared ideas and gained ideas from this network. I use this not only in my teaching world but in my everyday life as well. This network shares so many ideas for every subject area you can think of. When I was first starting out I had to teach adapted physical education. I had no idea where to start so I went to Pinterest and found so many cool ideas to help with sensory and fine motor skills. My students, their aids and I all had a blast that year trying new things with the kids and they seemed to really enjoy it.
Some of the other learning networks I use are Twitter, PE Central, and SHAPE America. Twitter is a great learning network as it allows teachers to share their activities with people all over the world in a matter of seconds. I recently started teaching a Lifeguarding Course for my High School and was searching for help from people around my area that have taught this subject. I wanted to know the best way to break things down and teach in a short amount of time. I e-mailed multiple schools and never heard a word back from anyone. Finally, I went on Twitter and started searching. I started following a group called Lifeguarding Academy who had great ideas and things to review during a class. They also posted a lot about important things to remember as a lifeguard who is on duty and events that have happened or could happen at any moment when lifeguarding. I use some of these events as scenarios for my students so that they are fully aware of their responsibilities and how quickly something can go south. This is not something I would’ve been able to do if it were not for Twitter because I am able to see different ideas, thoughts and even events that have happened all over the world.
PE Central and SHAPE America are very similar sites. Both allow access to recourses like lesson plans, curriculums, and Profession development opportunities. PE Central also has a Hall of Shame page which allows teachers to share activities that have not worked or gone as planned or are dangerous to play so that other teachers don’t make the same mistakes. This can be very beneficial as a PE teacher because a lot of the activities we do in class are trial and error. We don’t always have a teacher’s guide book that tells us what to teach and how to teach it like other subjects do. This allows us to see what might happen and make changes for the better before anything can go wrong.
These learning networks are important to be a part of because things in the world today are changing at a much faster pace than they used to and we need to be adapting with the times and our students. These networks allow us to share new ideas and enhance our learning at a quicker pace. Below are the links to some of the Learning Networks I am a part of.