Recently, I shared a resource about coaching frameworks with my new supervisor. She asked where I had found it, and I casually replied, “LinkedIn.” She gave me a curious look, took a beat, and said, “Great!” That momentary pause made me wonder – was she thinking, “Isn’t LinkedIn just for job hunting? Why is my new employee looking there?” The answer is that there’s lots more on LinkedIn than just job postings.
Staying current with the latest trends and news has always been an important aspect of my job, whether as an Instructional Technology Coach or now as the Coordinator of Professional Learning for my school division. Over the years, the way I stay informed has evolved. Here are my current go-to platforms for staying updated on educational trends:
Since I already mentioned this one, let’s start here. When Twitter underwent a shift, many of the educators I followed jumped to LinkedIn. At first, I found it an odd choice, so I understand my supervisor’s reaction.
Originally, LinkedIn was primarily a place to showcase your résumé and search for jobs. Today, it has grown into a hub where individuals, companies, and professional groups share valuable content—articles, videos, discussions, and more. The comments section often sparks insightful conversations, and the ability to repost content to share with those who follow you, adding your own reflections, or saving it for later viewing.
One unexpected benefit of LinkedIn is the exposure to ideas beyond K-12 education. I like that I can engage with professionals from different industries on similar topics, encouraging different perspectives. It’s a bit like vertical planning – just as a ninth-grade history teacher’s lesson might be too advanced for a sixth-grade class, it may still offer elements that can be adapted, so insights from outside education could be reworked for our own field.
If you’re looking to get more out of LinkedIn, I recommend checking out this article from Noble Desktop on using the platform to stay informed.
BlueSky
This is a relatively new platform for me, but I am really enjoying it. It is similar enough to Twitter, with a few key differences. I was surprised by how quickly it picked up steam this past fall, as nearly everyone I follow made the switch.
One useful tip for following topics is to use hashtags with “sky” added to them, like #EduSky for education. However, this isn’t a strict rule—you can also use #education. Some states have specific tags, like #VaEduSky for Virginia, while Maryland has two: #MdEduSky and #MarylandEduSky. Beyond that, I haven’t found many other states consistently using this format.
Another great feature is Starter Packs, which are curated lists of accounts to follow based on specific interests, from EdTech to librarianship. You can explore these at BlueskyStarterPack.com.
I also appreciate BlueSky’s accessibility setting, which requires users to add alt text to images before posting. I always try to do this, but sometimes I forget, so this helps me remember! Another important difference is how engagement works. While “likes” are great, reposting something that resonates with you boosts the visibility and the chance that someone else will see it. I have mixed feelings about this, sometimes I just want to save a post for later or share it without feeling obligated to add a comment.
This leads to my biggest pet peeve with BlueSky: there’s no way to save posts. As I mentioned earlier, I like to go back and view some posts later; that’s how my Weekly Finds blog series worked so well! Since there is no bookmarking feature, the only way to revisit a post later is to repost it to your profile or use a third-party bookmarking tool. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a feature I’d love to see added.
If you’re interested in learning more about BlueSky, I recommend checking out these articles from Learning in Hand with Tony Vincent and ThinkFives.
As an educator who has worked in three school divisions, I have a lot of educator friends on Facebook. I often see education-related posts or memes where discussions break out in the comments section. While researching for this blog post (a common practice), I did a quick Google search on “how Facebook can be used to stay current on educational trends” and was surprised to learn that hashtags can be used within Facebook, to track trending discussions and discover new perspectives. I don’t currently use hashtags this way, but since it’s common on other platforms, it’s good to know the option exists.
Facebook also has a plethora of educator groups, covering everything from EdTech and AI to ELL strategies and classroom management. Whether you’re looking for casual discussion or structured professional development, there’s likely a group for you. Some groups focus on Q&A and resource-sharing, while others host live training events.
Beyond groups, many educational institutions, research centers, EdTech companies, and prominent educators have their own pages that users can “like” and receive updates and shared content on new trends. I also have my own Facebook page where I share blog posts, videos, and other resources—though I don’t post as often as I could. Here’s the link to my page if you’re interested in following along!
Out of all of the platforms listed here, this is probably the one I use the least. I initially resisted creating a professional account, but younger colleagues convinced me that’s where they were learning the most. Ironically, I haven’t found as many educators here, and the ones I do follow are already connected with me elsewhere—so I don’t always see fresh ideas.
That said, Instagram is still a valuable platform for professional learning. One research study found that educators use Instagram not only for professional knowledge-sharing but also for emotional support. One teacher even noted that they could point to any part of their classroom and cite an “insta-friend” as the source of a tool, display, or resource.
Using popular hashtags like #edchat, #edtech, and #teachersofinstagram is a great way to connect with other educators and find resources. Instagram’s Stories and Reels also provide bite-size news and PD, making it a great option for those short on time.
Newsletters
While not a platform, newsletters are a major way I stay informed. Since they come directly to my inbox, I don’t have to search for new information—it comes to me. Many newsletters include articles, upcoming webinars (often recorded for later viewing), and other professional learning opportunities.
Some of the newsletters I currently subscribe to include:
- Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE)
- Virginia Association for Teaching, Learning and Leading (VATLL), formerly VASCD
- Illinois Digital Educators Alliance (IDEA)
- Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) – If you are outside of Texas, you can sign up for a free membership once a year during Teacher Appreciation Week
- Adobe for Education’s K-12 newsletter
- Ditch That Textbook
- Shake Up Learning
- Learning in Hand
Staying informed about the latest trends in education is essential for professional growth, and there’s no single “right” way to do it. The platforms and resources I use have evolved over time, and I expect they’ll continue to change. I’d love to hear from you—how do you stay updated on educational trends? Do you have a favorite platform, newsletter, or unexpected resource that has shaped your professional learning? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below!
Al was used to revise and proofread some of the text in this post.
Ms Priester EDU 