LEARNING NETWORKS
I have joined or am a member of the following networks or associations. related to the fields of education or technology. I am a member of TMEA, or Texas Music Educators Association. I am also a member of TCEA or Texas Computer Education Association. I belong to the ATPE, or Association of Texas Professional Educators. I recently requested to join a Facebook group called Texas Elementary Music Teachers. I also belong to another FB group called DFW Musician Search. Other groups I am a member of include Austin Classical Guitar Society, and the Percussive Arts Society. I am a long time member of Comp TIA., the Computing Technology Industry Association.
All of these networks provide opportunities to connect with other professionals in your field and great learning opportunities. They provide professional training. As a member I can read about and take part in discussions related to current events or changes in the industry. Each group has ways to support it's members. Aside from professional development they offer legal help and networking opportunities. Some of these groups provide information on best practices and even help with finding a job. When presented in our work with new challenges these learning networks can be of great help and support. Duncan (2015) suggests when we encounter new challenges it is important to teach ourselves new skills. These professional groups can be a great resource to help do that. However, you have to be engaged in some way. You get out of the networks what you put in to them. Crowley (2014) shares learning networks are about relationships. Another professional learning network I belong to is the fine arts elementary music teacher group in my district. We are a small group and have no official web page or site to call our own but we work together to collaborate, share ideas, and support each other.
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List of Learning Networks
TCEA https://tcea.org/
ATPE https://www.atpe.org/en/Home
ACG https://www.austinclassicalguitar.org/
GC https://guitarcurriculum.com/
Comp TIA https://www.comptia.org/home
DFW Musician Search https://www.facebook.com/groups/350967961737771/
Texas Elementary Music Teachers https://www.facebook.com/groups/829977190437308/