We often talk on Fractus Learning about building a strong, informative and inspiring PLN. Most of this conversation centers around social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Google+. But, in all the excitement, we tend to neglect some great resources that take the form of professional networking sites. And when it comes to professional networking sites there really is only one. LinkedIn.
Those who have chosen to embrace LinkedIn can discover a HUGE community of passionate professionals in every field imaginable. A wealth of tailored connections. And a never-ending stream of professional development gold. One extremely powerful feature of LinkedIn is the ability to form groups around common interests. These groups vary in size, scale and activity, but are a great meeting place to expand, enhance and explode you PLN.
Here is our collection of 25 LinkedIn groups for networking teachers to start contributing to and learning from.
LinkedIn Groups for Networking Teachers
Technology
Education Strategies for Parents, Teachers, Educators and School Staff
- Date started – August 21, 2008
- Members – 36,000+
- Discussions this month – 61
- Primary industry – Education Management
The eLearning Guild
- Date started – May 11, 2008
- Members – 33,310
- Discussions this month – 365
- Primary industry – E-Learning
International Society for Technology in Education
- Date started – September 19, 2007
- Members – 33,135
- Discussions this month – 594
- Primary industry – Education Management
Technology Integration in Education
- Date started – May 21, 2008
- Members – 21,698
- Discussions this month – 712
- Primary industry – Education Management
Technology in Education
- Date started – April 8, 2008
- Members – 33,669
- Discussions this month – 244
- Primary industry – Education Management
Teaching
Teachers Networking Group
- Date started – March 16, 2008
- Members – 19,965
- Discussions this month – 680
- Primary industry – Education Management
Teachers seeking employment
- Date started – September 2, 2009
- Members – 15,857
- Discussions this month – 262
- Primary industry – Education Management
Teacher’s Lounge
- Date started – July 19, 2008
- Members – 38,549
- Discussions this month – 1,059
- Primary industry – Education Management
ESL Teacher Professionals
- Date started – July 23, 2008
- Members – 14,164
- Discussions this month – 183
- Primary industry – Education Management
Elementary group for teachers
- Date started – July 26, 2010
- Members – 9,164
- Discussions this month – 158
- Primary industry – Education Management
Education Professional
Learning, Education and Training Professionals Group
- Date started – September 25, 2007
- Members – 112,163
- Discussions this month – 1,080
- Primary industry – Education Management
Higher Education Management
- Date started – June 24, 2008
- Members – 49,288
- Discussions this month – 703
- Primary industry – Education Management
School Principal Network
- Date started – October 22, 2009
- Members – 6,878
- Discussions this month – 138
- Primary industry – Education Management
Council for Advancement and Support of Education
- Date started – December 16, 2008
- Members – 23,051
- Discussions this month – 157
- Primary industry – Higher Education
Education Management Professionals
- Date started – December 15, 2009
- Members – 14,073
- Discussions this month – 224
- Primary industry – Education Management
Discipline Specific
Math, Math Education, Math Culture
- Date started – September 27, 2007
- Members – 11,838
- Discussions this month – 145
- Primary industry – Education Management
National Science Teachers Association
- Date started – February 3, 2009
- Members – 9,152
- Discussions this month – 95
- Primary industry – Education Management
STEM Connections for K-12 Education
- Date started – October 30, 2008
- Members – 8,411
- Discussions this month – 169
- Primary industry – Education Management
ART Professionals Worldwide
- Date started – June 9, 2008
- Members – 48,305
- Discussions this month – 1,244
- Primary industry – Fine Art
English Teachers Anonymous
- Date started – October 8, 2008
- Members – 13,927
- Discussions this month – 491
- Primary industry – Education Management
Creativity
TED: Ideas Worth Spreading – Unofficial
- Date started – July 10, 2008
- Members – 352,342
- Discussions this month – 207
- Primary industry – Marketing and Advertising
The Psychology of Creativity
- Date started – September 21, 2009
- Members – 5,989
- Discussions this month – 98
- Primary industry – Professional Training and Coaching
Innovation & Creativity Network of Tweeters
- Date started – July 10, 2008
- Members – 12,338
- Discussions this month – 111
- Primary industry – Marketing and Advertising
Google Universe : Jobs, Tools, Trends and Galaxies of Ideas
- Date started – April 6, 2010
- Members – 67,010
- Discussions this month – 255
- Primary industry – Information Technology and Services
Effective and Fun Training Techniques
- Date started – March 24, 2009
- Members – 20,880
- Discussions this month – 92
- Primary industry – Professional Training and Coaching
So, what are your experiences with LinkedIn? And what other groups have you found that aid networking teachers? Let us know in the comments below!
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, nan palmero.