Knowledge > VITTA PLNs > Setting-up-a-vitta-professional-learning-network-faqs

Setting up a VITTA Professional Learning Network [FAQs]

Q. What is a VITTA Professional Learning Network [PLN]?
A. VITTA PLNs are learning communities that encourage sharing of skills and ideas about ICT and education. Their key role is to increase the amount of ICT professional learning available to teachers / educators. Their direction will be dependant on the needs and interests of those involved in the group. Generally, they will be set up in areas where there is limited or no other ICT professional learning opportunities. They can cater for teachers from a variety of settings [Kindergarten, Primary, Post‐Primary, Special, TAFE etc] and systems [Government, Non‐Government].

Q. Where will the VITTA Professional Learning Networks be located?
A. VITTA intends to initially set up PLNs in 13 regional and rural areas of Victoria, as well as three in Tasmania and one in Fiji. Others will come on board as local interests and needs become apparent
 So you interested in organizing or being part of one? It's really not all that difficult and you will get support in setting up and running your PLN from the VITTA Office. “Start small and things will grow”. What else is there to know?

Q. How many people do you need to run a PLN?
A. Ideally a pair of network leaders would be great. It is not envisaged that the organisation will be onerous, and that committee meetings will not be necessary. Two leaders also allow for one to be on leave etc. and the PLN to still run.


Q. Who can be members?
A. Anyone with an interest in ICT & education. While part of the VITTA structure, it is certainly not mandatory that PLN members are financial VITTA members. [It would be hoped that many PLN members would be or become VITTA members for the benefits that a VITTA membership offers]


Q. Funding your activities. Is there a membership fee?
A. No, there will be no membership fee. The model that the PLNs work from is about professional learning communities sharing ideas and skills, networking, and meeting local needs in ICT education. As this is based on free sharing of ideas, it would not be appropriate for membership fees to be charged.


Q. Do you need a formal organisational structure for a PLN?
A. No, not really, the network leaders will have a small reporting role on PLN activities to VITTA, but there will be no need for elections, constitutions etc. as each PLN, while having autonomy in planning activities, will be under the VITTA “umbrella”
.

Q. How do I publicise the first meeting? Who are key people to involve / invite?
A. Use personal mailing lists of colleagues in schools in your area. Encourage those that get your email to pass it on via their mailing lists. Encourage “word of mouth’’ publicity. Get consultants, Ultranet coaches and other networks to spread the news. Get those interested to email you back and establish your PLN mailing list. This will then be the basis for future communication. [Not all people on the mailing list will attend meetings, but still keep them as PLN members!]


Q. What needs to happen at the first PLN meeting?
A. If people have attended a meeting, they are interested! Ask the question, “Do you want to be part of a PLN? If the answer is yes, you’ve
got the start of a network. [How you run a meeting, is dependant on numbers really, if six people turn up it can be more informal than if 25 turn up!] If you can get someone to do a presentation at the first meeting, that would be great, as it is another draw card for that meeting. Then discuss the next steps for the PLN at the meeting. Remember, think small at this stage, get things right and your network will grow. The next steps are things like: Where / when will the next meeting be? How many meetings a year do we want? Who can we get to present?


Q. What about links with the wider education community and commercial interests
A. Certainly, the wider support, the better. There may be commercial interests [e.g. IT businesses] that would like to support your network. This can be a positive relationship for the PLN and can provide information / presentations on products or links to services, that will be of use to members. It will be the decision of the PLN as to whether it wishes to be involved with commercial interests. The only caveat for a PLN involved with commercial interests is that a PLN can’t be seen as being the “property” of that company. Therefore if a PLN uses the resources of commercial interests, it needs to deal with a range of those available, not just one. While it may be appropriate for a commercial interest to
provide a catering for a meeting or a venue etc, outright sponsorship of a PLN would not be appropriate. Also make links with any other networks learning communities in your area/region.


Q. Where to then? Timelines, goal setting & mission statement?
A. If the first PLN meeting has a positive outcome and it becomes a viable entity, then it will be appropriate for some forward planning to occur. This will initially probably be planning the times, venues, presenters for the rest of the year. A PLN may want to, once established to set goals or write a mission statement to define its activities.


Q. What can be some useful meeting ideas and structures? Where do you get presenters?

A. Meetings do not have to be highly formalised. Remember, members have come in their own time and out of school hours, so they don’t want to be highly organised or lectured at! Keep an attendance sheet, this is a record of membership and details can be used to add to mailing lists. Each PLN will have a wealth of knowledge amongst its members. Look for presenters from amongst the group. Finding out members’ interests and skills in ICT, may lead to getting some presenters for future meetings. Meetings may also access Ultranet coaches and other regional staff to speak. There can also be network group sharing. e.g. “This works for me in ICT” The VITTA Professional Learning Office will start a database of VITTA members who are prepared to present of specific ICT topics at PLN meetings. If the PLN meets in different schools each meeting, then a school tour is a good idea! Keep the network as social as possible, personal networking is very important [allow time for this at the beginning or end of the meeting].


Q. How will catering costs of the PLN be covered?
A. The catering [tea/coffee/nibbles etc.] of meetings will be the responsibility of each PLN. This can be done a number of ways.
1. There is a donation at the door to cover catering costs
2. If meetings are held at different venues, e.g. schools, then the host school could
be responsible for the catering
3. Members “bring a plate”


Q. How will other costs of the PLN be covered?
A. As a Professional Learning Community each PLN will operate mainly on the goodwill of members. It is envisaged that members of each PLN, local consultants, commercial interests will be prepared to contribute at meetings without cost to the PLN. VITTA may be able to allocate a small amount of funding to each PLN to cover costs of paying outside presenters in some cases. There will be more information on this possible funding provided in later in 2009.

Q. How can you evaluate success?
A. Attendance at meetings [which are after school and in members own time] is a good measure of success. Find out anecdotally what people think. Listen and use member ideas for future planning. VITTA would like a report of each PLNs activities each term [rather than formal minutes], this may be part of a PLN section of Infonet.

Q. How can your PLN record its activities? [Website/ Blog / Wiki]
A. The PLN may wish to set up a Website or a Blog or a Wiki of its activities. This is certainly optional, but it would make a permanent record of PLN activities and be a resource to members and others. VITTA will also set up an online environment to host information about the activities of the PLNs so they can share and contribute.

Q. What are other models for a PLN than the traditional after school meeting?
A. Sure it could be a Saturday or Sunday workshop or an “unconference “ [where participants turn up and list what the want to find out and what they are prepared to share]. Both more “adventurous” than an after school meeting but are acceptable models.

Q. What online enhancements could there be to your PLN?
A. Wikis/blogs/websites have been mentioned before. However, there are other possibilities to assist members living/working a long distance away from the meeting. Skype, Elluminate participation, as is recording meetings via Ustream or podcasting. These are possibilities a PLN may like to consider after it gets established

Q. How will network leaders enhance their professional learning and skills in running a network?
A. Obviously the PLN will provide professional learning for all, organizers and participants. However, VITTA will also offer some opportunities for PLN leaders to meet together to discuss and network. PLN leaders can also freely contact the VITTA Professional Learning Office for any advice.

Q. I need to know more about VITTA PLNs? Where do I get more information?
A. Simple, contact Jo McLeay at the VITTA Professional Learning Office and have a chat. He can be contacted by jo@vitta.org.au or at the VITTA Office 613 9495 6836.