Rethinking PLCs: What If They Worked Like a Group Instagram Chat?
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) have been a staple in education for years. We gather, sit through structured agendas, and share best practices, at least in theory. But if I'm being honest, there are many times I have left a PLC meeting thinking, “That could have been an email.” Generally, I am left feeling like real learning didn’t happen because the format is more like a data chat, and it's so disconnected from my day-to-day classroom life.
I've started wondering: what if PLCs were designed more like an ongoing group Instagram chat?
Imagine a space where teachers could quickly snap a photo of a successful bulletin board, a student project, or even a messy classroom laboratory moment. They could write a short caption reflecting on what worked, what didn’t, and ask for feedback, all in real-time. Hashtags could help organize these posts (#FormativeAssessment, #STEMChallenge, #ClassroomManagement), making it easy to search for specific topics later.
Goodyear et al. (2014) highlighted how teachers in their study turned to Facebook and Twitter for timely, informal professional learning, often outside official school hours. They didn’t wait for scheduled PD days. Instead, they engaged on their own terms, in digital spaces. An Instagram-style PLC could use that same energy: short, visual, and flexible.
There’s also something about the immediacy of social media that fosters more authentic sharing. Unlike formal PLC notes to be turned in later, a quick image and caption can capture the real essence of a teaching moment in seconds. Engagement could be varied and low-pressure, yet meaningful. Some teachers might respond with quick reactions for encouragement, while others might take the time to leave more detailed feedback in the comments.
Of course, there would be some challenges like privacy settings, FERPA concerns, and maintaining professional boundaries. However, with the right norms in place, a private Instagram group could be a space where professional reflection feels less like a chore and more like storytelling.
Nick,
ReplyDeleteI loved your idea of reimagining PLCs as something more dynamic and authentic, like a group Instagram chat! It really made me think about how often formal PLCs miss the mark in terms of relevance and energy. Your vision for a more real-time, visual, and low-pressure space for teacher reflection feels much more aligned with how we actually work and learn.
Thanks for your perspective!
I’m glad you liked the idea! What I like about using something like an Instagram group chat is that it mirrors how many teachers already communicate with quick messages, sending links or resources. Of course, there’s still the challenge of making sure it stays professional and focused, but I think the flexibility and immediacy could really help support more teachers.
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