Empowering Educators and Increasing Impact through Professional Learning Networks Mary Risner, Ed.D. IFLE 2015 Washington D.C.

Overview Some concerns from educators PLNs: What are they? Why use them? How do they benefit educators? One Model: Social Media, Partnerships, Communications Challenges What Next? Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Frequetn Questions/Comments How do I know what colleagues are doing? How do I stay “in touch” between conferences/events? Who can I contact for help/advice? Where do I find models to develop a new course/integrate materials? How do I connect with others in this field? How do I effect change? Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

PLNs Connect Educators Worldwide to Provide… AdviceSupport *Opportunities for Collaboration* Feedback Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

PLNs Allow Educators to … Collect information from the Web Access it in one organized area Efficiently stay current on the latest teaching techniques” Trust, T. ( 2012). Professional learning networks designed for teacher learning. Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education. 28(4): *Stay connected between events in an affordable way* *Build relationships *Empower-support leaders* Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Professional Learning Networks… Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

The Power of Networking In a knowledge economy, the individual is the knowledge creator and relationships are the currency. Being a professional in the network era is becoming more about your network than your current knowledge. Change Agents Worldwide Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

The Power of Networking The most successful networkers connect with people and information from diverse groups. hy-being-the-most-connected-is-a-vanity-metric Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Exchange of Ideas Between K-12 and Post-Secondary professors-benefit-from-k-12-progressive-teaching-tactics/ professors-benefit-from-k-12-progressive-teaching-tactics/ Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Making Connections Secondary<> Post-secondary Liberal arts<> Professional schools Educational institutions <>Industry Prepared Students (Language-Career Academies) *IFLE-Connecting between centers/projects Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Social Media: Free platforms and tools to connect individuals at a distance Leverage “Globalization”/21 st Century Skills: More focus and media covering the need for “global” skills across the curriculum. But what does that mean? Why Now Is More Important Than Ever to Connect… Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

One Model: CIBER/NRC Collaboration Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

2009 Launch of Network of Business Educations (NOBLE) Connect K-20 educators: Language<>Professions Encourage dialogue and sharing Compile LSP materials and programs Disseminate innovative teaching and learning approaches Assist in development of LSP materials/courses Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

NOBLE Activities Connecting educators Webinars Co-presenting Guest Blog Posts Workshops/Travel Funds Co-publishing Monthly e- newsletter K-12 LSP Handbook Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Spanish for Leadership- Colorado, Cristin Bleess Spanish in the Community and the Workplace- Wisconsin, Katrina Beeck Spanish for Leadership- Florida, Danika Cornelius Spanish for Healthcare- Pennsylvania, Melissa Swarr Some K-12 LSP Courses Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Medical Spanish- Beginner: Michelle Josey, Florida Global Business & World Languages, Janet Graham, Kansas Business Spanish-Sean Hill, Michigan Business and Environment- Juanjo Vazquez-Caballero, Connecticut, Some K-12 LSP Courses Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Social Media Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Innovation in Higher Ed Veletsianos (2013) emphasizes the value of social media “sharing” and participation of scholars as “a way to innovate higher education.” Veletsianos, G. (2013). Open practices and identity: Evidence from researchers and educators’social media participation. British Journal of Educational Technology. 44( 4), 639–651. Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Connect and Engage… Language Learning For Business & the Mary Risner Blog Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Global Connections through Social Media Graduate Students in… Belgium Portugal Spain Professional Associations- GERES (France) CIEFE (Netherlands) Publications- Journal of Languages for Specific Purposes (Romania) Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Are We Prepared for Jobs of the Future?? rmGqeIordhEBilIFOV2iva2uSc7sfq Advocacy Sample Clip Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Partnerships Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Partnerships State Association (FFLA)- Career Track Regional Association (SCOLT) National Language Associations (ACTFL, AATSP) Business (NBEA, CIBERs) JNCL-NCLIS- Language Policy Lobby LSP Symposium Group AATF French for Business and Economics Commission Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Off-site pre-conference workshops Industry keynote speakers/panels Career strand Career theme Support teacher participation Activities Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Partner Engagement Identify potential teacher ambassadors Serve on professional boards Join special interest groups Volunteer at professional conferences Sponsor exhibit booths at conferences Encourage teacher presentations Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

ACTFL/AATSP/FIU CIBER

Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015 CIBER Business Language Workshop with Business Education Teacher

Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015 Florida Foreign Language Association/National Business Education Association (NBEA)

FFLA Industry Panel Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Communications Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Publications NOBLE Featured: ACTFL’s The Language Educator-LSP in the 21 st Century NCLRC Business Language Blog- Margaret Gonglewski, GWU Co-Authored Articles: The Business of Languages in the Classroom Today: A Model for K-12 Professional Development. Global Business Languages (2013). Mary E. Risner and Linda Markley The Business of Languages in the Classroom Today: A Model for K-12 Professional Development Article in Upcoming Edited Volume: LSP Innovation at K-12 Schools Online K-12 LSP Handbook Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

K-12 LSP E-Handbook Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Mindfulness… “A scholar is committed to building on knowledge that others have gathered, correcting it, confirming it, enlarging it.” Parker J. Palmer Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Handbook Goals Engage educators to integrate LSP Enhance lesson ideasExtend lessonsExplore new lesson possibilitiesExpand number of lessons Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Sample Annual Report Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Power of a more visible, consolidated group to demonstrate strength of a field/subject area Improved dissemination of existing resources, models, and research to those just starting out (avoid re-inventing the wheel) Tools for others to present to administration for support of programs Focus on foundational knowledge. Global education groups exist: 4 C’s, problem-solving, global competence. How a PLN Might Increase Impact of Area Studies… Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Time consuming to: identify potential lead educators build relationships Marketing know-how Participation rates Coordination of efforts Concern for “quantity over quality” Challenges to PLN Building Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Possible direction… Raise visibility of IFLE project and what it is Implement strategic dissemination of resources/models Provide guidance in materials integration/program development Feature and highlight teacher/project leaders Co-publish on initiatives/results, go beyond conference papers Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015

Contact Mary Risner Mary Risner University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies-2015