The Effect of Personal Learning Network Exposure on Pre-Service Teacher's Digital Resource Search Habits

Volume 14 Issue 2 September - November 2018

Research Paper

The Effect of Personal Learning Network Exposure on Pre-Service Teacher's Digital Resource Search Habits

Tracy Russo* , Jason Siko**

* Senior Online Design Consultant, Extended and International Operations, Ferris State University, USA.

** Associate Professor and Director of Accreditation, College of Education, Madonna University, USA.

Russo, T., and Siko, J. (2018). The Effect of Personal Learning Network Exposure on Pre-Service Teacher's Digital Resource Search Habits. i-manager’s Journal on School Educational Technology, 14(2), 12-23. https://doi.org/10.26634/jsch.14.2.15152

Abstract

Teacher confidence with technology integration remains generally low over time, and teacher preparation programs have been tasked with supplying the education sector with teachers ready to implement an ever-changing toolkit of technologies. These efforts can be hampered by isolation of the traditional technology course and lack of field component. In this pilot study, the authors leverage students' personal experiences gained while creating a selfdeveloped Personal Learning Network (PLN) to build confidence and capabilities for searching appropriate web-based resources to include in a technology-infused lesson plan. Through two course iterations, framing PLN construction around internet searches of their final project resources was found to increase PLN and resource portal utilization, a course goal to improve the quality of selected resources over those found in more simplistic internet searches. Further iterations look to increase connections between assignments exploring technologies and integration into studentcreated lessons.