Technology Blog #1: Developing a Connected Learning Model and how it applies to the world of Applied Behavioral Analysis


 Chapter 2 of The Connected Educator by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach introduces the reader to the idea of Connected Learning Communities (CLCs). This big idea of a CLC takes three smaller ideas and integrates them into one: Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Personal Learning Networks (PLNs), and Communities of Practice (CoPs). The knowledge and benefits from these three methods create a coming together to create a positive, growing community. The chapter focuses primarily on educators, which I can relate to since I have had jobs in the educational field before and want to go into a career that surrounds the classroom environment. In this blog post, I will focus on how this chapter and the information it presents closely connect with my career path as a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA). 


Some of a BCBA’s job responsibilities include conducting functional analyses, collecting data, and evaluating treatment for individuals with special needs. The entire job process is a cycle, and within this cycle, it requires working with a team of professionals to help these individuals. One thing to understand about the art of the educator world is that everyone is coming from different backgrounds, which brings diversity in the knowledge aspect. With this being said, a CLC would mirror the methods of how BCBAs and their teams run. 



Essentially, a Team, or a CoP of a BCBA, RBT (registered behavioral technicians), members of a child study team, and sometimes the teachers are involved in the behavioral analysis of a child who needs care. Each of these members comes from a different educational background, but with the goal of getting something specially done, their diversity in knowledge can create something great for children who need help. 


BCBA’s also require having to go through continuous professional development, which ties into the PLC aspect of this big idea. Yearly assessments are usually taken to renew a BCBA’s license. This ensures that the work that a BCBA is doing is ethical and valid. In order to grow in my future career world, it is important for me to stay connected with other professionals in or similar to my field. New data and research always come out around the idea of behavior and autism/special needs, so staying educated will be crucial in order to provide the best practice.

Comments

  1. Clara Gil-HernandezSeptember 11, 2025 at 7:21 PM

    Hi Emily,
    Professional development is extremely important because you can always learn something new that you can use. PLC is important because it helps you stay connected with people who have the same goal as you. This way you are able to share your ideas and also your experiences with each other. This creates a bond with one another and makes you feel like you're not alone.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Google Calendar App Smackdown

Image
     Google Calendar is a tool I have used extensively over the years in various aspects of my life. I was introduced to it before coming to Stockton, and I used it occasionally to remind myself when certain things were happening. I have now mastered this app in a way that fits my own needs and organizational methods.       A good way to keep this app accessible to my eye at all times is to set it as a widget on my devices. I have a widget set on my phone lock screen with upcoming events, so I know how to prepare for what is to come next. I also have a widget on my home screen on my iPad that allows me to add new events if I am taking notes in class.       This app is extremely customizable in the sense that anyone can use it to their own expense. This app can be used for upcoming events, meetings, or it can even be used to see when free time is acceptable to do something enriching. I talk in my presentation linked down below about ...
Read more

Storytelling Tools

Image
  My Two StoryBoardThat Stories:  The story of my morning  The story of my roommate and me getting dinner Other: Canva Storytelling Template Story of how to fix a problem  Other: Pixton App (Video)  Title: The Home Run
Read more

Webtool Smackdown #2: OneNote

Image
     For my second webtool smackdown, I chose to talk about the website/app called OneNote. This Tool is made by Microsoft, and it is essentially a virtual notebook. I have used this tool on and off since my sophomore year of high school, right before COVID started. I began to use it specifically in my chemistry class, which allowed us to have all of our notes and worksheets virtually. We used this application with one of the main reasons that you are able to write on documents like a notebook, and since at the time we had a Lenovo with styluses, we were able to flip our laptops and write in OneNote like it was pen and paper.      The OneNote skills I learned from that class I have taken with me ever since, all the way to my senior year in college. One of the main features I use it for now is uploading PDFs into it, and highlighting on the PDF, as if it were a physical book/ article. That feature also allows me to easily annotate any notes I have on the sid...
Read more