We Relied On Our PLN

Amid the anxiety, confusion, anger, and organized chaos, educators from near and far leveraged the power of technology and social media to prepare for the upcoming online standardized tests known as PARCC. Too many unknowns entered the equation during the process and it can become very stressful. This often comes with change no matter if it's for better or worse. Having the ability to reach out to people who are on the front lines can help alleviate some of the pressure that everyone has encountered. Transitioning from paper based to online high stakes assessments has been an enormous undertaking. Through it all though, educators used their virtual common sense to figure things out and dissect the abundance of information.

So how did we do it? Where did educators turn to for real time information related to implementing and administering these standardized tests? Here is the list......

• Google+ PARCC Testing Administrator Community ~ vibrant group of educators from around the country who share their perspectives and insight on implementing the standardized tests
• EdCampNJ Voxer Group ~ tap to talk application that allowed PLN members from around the state to talk each other through tough situations pertaining to preparing staff and technology issues
• Twitter ~ Following the #PARCC hashtag to seek advice and stay current on the controversial tests
• Informative webpages and digital newsletters ~ creative educators posted useful PARCC resources to break down the often confusing tests for school stakeholders
• YouTube tutorials on how to take and administer the PARCC
• A Teach Your Students to PARCC Edmodo Group ~ tremendous support and resource sharing portal

As schools and districts around the country continue their uphill battle with implementing and administering these new online standardized tests, educators will undoubtedly look to the connections they have in the virtual world to make sense of what is they actually have to do. Because at the end of the day, it goes back to putting kids in a position to succeed. The only way this can be done is through an All Hands on Deck approach and a commitment to putting our best foot forward.

Brad Currie is the author of All Hands on Deck: Tools for Connecting Educators, Parents, and Communities. He is one of the founding partners of Evolving Educators LLC. Brad is an ASCD Emerging Leader, Bammy Award Finalist, ClassDojo Thought Leader and Google Certified Educator. He currently serves as a K-8 Supervisor of Instruction and Middle School Vice Principal for the Chester School District in Chester, NJ. Learn more about Brad by following him on Twitter @bradmcurrie or visiting his website at www.bradcurrie.net.