ERIC Number: EJ1463887
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Jul
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0007-1013
EISSN: EISSN-1467-8535
Available Date: 2021-05-07
Exploring Online Social Networks of School Leaders in Times of COVID-19
Martin Rehm1; Sara Moukarzel2; Alan J. Daly2; Miguel del Fresno3
British Journal of Educational Technology, v52 n4 p1414-1433 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised a wide range of challenges for school leaders that they now (rapidly) have to address. Consequently, they also turn to informal learning networks, in order to share and collect information and reach out to their communities. In this context, the current study investigates the underlying networks structures among school leaders, what type of information is being shared, and what differences can be identified when comparing a nation-wide and a localized sample. We collected data from a US nation-wide sample of 15 relevant Twitter conversations, as well as Tweets from an US urban mid-sized public school district. Using a mixed-methods approach, we discovered several key structural dimensions and a host of highly influential actors. Moreover, we found semantic evidence for users sharing information on topics such as status reports. Finally, we discovered that the urban sample did not overly use the nation-wide, very specific approach of including COVID-19 related hashtags. Instead, they used more localized terminologies. These findings are valuable for policy makers, as they map the underlying communication patterns and provide valuable insights into who is moving what types of resources as part of the emerging governance approach on social media.
Descriptors: Social Media, Social Networks, Instructional Leadership, COVID-19, Pandemics, Informal Education, Information Dissemination, Data Collection, Computer Mediated Communication, Urban Schools, School Districts, Reports, Access to Information
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Institute for Educational Consulting, Weingarten, Germany; 2Department of Education Studies, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; 3Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Madrid, Spain