Carpenter co-authors journal article on educator professional learning networks

Jeffrey Carpenter, associate professor of education and director of the Teaching Fellows program, co-authored the article in the peer-reviewed journal "TechTrends."

Jeffrey Carpenter, associate professor of education and director of the Teaching Fellows, has published an article in a special issue of the journal “TechTrends” on Social Media and Emerging Spaces for Professional Development in the 21st Century, along with co-authors Daniel Krukta from Texas Woman’s University and Torrey Trust from the University of Massachusetts Amherst

The article, titled “Enriching professional learning networks: A framework for identification, reflection, and intention,” is available online here. The abstract reads as follows:

Many educators in the 21st century utilize social media platforms to enrich professional learning networks (PLNs). PLNs are uniquely personalized networks that can support participatory and continuous learning. Social media services can mediate professional engagements with a wide variety of people, spaces and tools that might not otherwise be available. Teachers who once might have had access to only a handful of colleagues can now employ Facebook, Twitter and other mediums to learn from peers across the globe at any time. However, educators face numerous challenges building and enhancing their PLNs for professional growth. To support educators in the development of their PLNs, we present a framework for PLN enrichment. Rooted in our research and experiences with PLNs, this flexible framework is designed to help educators reflect upon how they might continuously improve their PLN experiences and outcomes.

The article reference is:

Krutka, D. G., Carpenter, J. P., & Trust, T. (2017). Enriching professional learning networks: A framework for identification, reflection, and intention. TechTrends, 61(3), 246-252.