Be a Multi-Platform Educator

Be a Multi-Platform Educator

By Scott Rocco, Ed.D.

Many of us on social media have been utilizing one platform for more than a decade to build a professional learning network (PLN), learn from fellow educators, share our experiences, and add to the shared educational knowledge by consistently contributing through our posts. 

For many of us, our experiences early on and through most of our time on our current platform has been largely positive and enjoyable. 

Like all technology, social media platforms have a finite shelf-life. Just as my beloved Blackberry phone had to be put in the technology junk drawer, so too goes social media platforms. This is painful for us as educators to process after diligently building our PLN’s and making significant contributions to the greater good. 

However, I strongly encourage every educator who finds value in using social media for their own learning and for the connections it provides to embrace becoming Multi-Platform Educators (MPE’s). There are numerous social media platforms now available for us to explore, experiment with, cultivate PLN’s and contribute to the learning environment. 

Which one should you try? That’s a decision you have to make. I’m currently experimenting with three new platforms right now. 

When should you try? Now! Evaluate the features and user base of various platforms to find something you like.

Why should you try something new? Things change and we need to seek out new learning environments as educators that meet our evolving needs, facilitate our continued learning, and expand our connections with fellow educators. 

As connected educators it’s our commitment to learning new things and learning from others that make us ideal MPE’s. If you haven’t joined one of the new social media platforms yet, give one a try. If you are on one of the newer platforms, try another one. Let’s create, build a professional learning network (PLN), learn from other educators, share our experiences, and add to the shared educational knowledge by being on and consistently posting across multiple social media platforms.

Good luck, fellow MPE’s!

I eagerly anticipate reconnecting with you on some of the newer platforms.

Post a comment and let us know what social media platform you are trying out and what your user name is so we can connect.