Welcome to the Tri-Campus Blended Learning Project PLN

Aloha and welcome to the Professional Learning Network for Tri-Campus Blended Learning Project!

What Is This Thing Called PLN You Speak of?

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This Professional Learning Network (PLN) is an essential part of the training process for anyone involved in blended learning here at Kamehameha Schools. Rather than asking faculty and staff to engage in a one-sided, direct instruction type of training where participants are simply told what they should know and do, this PLN hopes to foster more connections within our own group of KS colleagues. The PLN’s overall purpose is to grow our collective knowledge by creating a space where we can share insights, ideas, and resources and learn from each other. As you progress through this training process, remember that we each have our own unique and valuable perspectives, so please a’o aku, a’o mai.

Why Are We Doing the PLN Now?

With the pilot course for the Tri-Campus Blended Learning Project just months away from implementation, the summer months offer a perfect opportunity to deepen our understanding of blended and online instruction, improve our teaching in this environment, and learn where to go for support when we need it. Through participation in this Professional Learning Network, we will gain the basic knowledge, skills, and best practices necessary to begin teaching in the blended environment. We will also learn the pedagogical theory behind successful blended instruction and get tips on how to request technical support if we ever get stuck.

So What Do We Have to Do Already?

The Tri-Campus Blended Learning Project Professional Learning Network is designed to be as simple to use as possible. In short, all we have to do is check in with the PLN once or twice a week to see what people are sharing. About once a week, there will be a new post published about some aspect of blended in online learning. Participants are expected to digest each post and any links or resources that go along with it. After some reflection, each participant will submit their own post with their thoughts and share any of their own resources related to this topic. If you are stuck on what to do or what to post, check the resource section of the PLN for helpful checklists for instructors and administrators and rubrics with guidelines for excellent submissions. During all this connecting, contributing, and collaborating on blended and online learning takes place, the PLN participants are also encourage to share their lesson plans for the coming school year.

Ready to Get Started?

Now that we know what a PLN is and what this one is for, let’s dive right in and submit our first post! Since we are only just beginning, stick to the basics with the first submission. Introduce yourself to the rest of the PLN, and let us know at least three of your goals for teaching in the online and blended environment. To help kick start your thinking, check out this rubric containing some good topics and questions for goal-setting.

After you post, please be sure to check back and reply to some other posts. Remember our Professional Learning Network is only as good as we make it!