The purpose of this study was to move beyond understanding the theoretical definition of distributed leadership and to discern the relationship of distributed leadership within the context of social networks and work experience outcomes. In examining both distributed leadership and social networks, this study's purpose was to better understand how…

Research has shown high levels of instructor social presence creates a social-emotional rich online climate giving students a sense a belonging and their instructor being real and being present. Hence, this study sought to examine how instructors use instructional actions, communication strategies, and immediacy behaviors to establish, introduce…

This chapter argues that "blogging" is a part of social networking that can provide a broader perspective on communication in general and education in particular. Communication becomes possible when blogging, not because this adheres to global or regional norms, but because bloggers are able to bring their communication into alignment by…

It is not known how faculty of online teachers in higher education courses described their participation in social networking communities and the influence of their community involvement on their preparation for, and application of technology-mediated teaching skills and training, in social networking communities for online teachers in higher…

The purpose of this explorative field study using elements of case study design was to understand how DIY (Do It Yourself) fashion designers learn to engage in entrepreneurship. DIY fashion designers in this study refers to designers who personally design and make each garment without relying on manufacturers. These fashion designers all have…

Grounding this study in Bronfenbrenner's ecological framework, the authors used a survey that includes psychometrically sound measures, to investigate the social experiences of 54 immigrant families with young children and the factors that shape their perceptions of life satisfaction and social support in a highly urban city. Results show…

In the context of primary education, students aged 11-12 years old begin to integrate digital devices and online behaviours that are more common and widespread at the secondary level. The objective of this study is to understand the factors that determine the initial digital ecosystem of students, and to evaluate the risks that these students face…

The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to explore the experiences of African immigrant farmers in the U.S. Data were collected from eight participants who have experienced the phenomenon using in-depth interviews and field observation. Findings revealed that Immigrant farming is anchored on cultural practices resulting from parental…

International universities often promote inclusive learning environments to aid their sojourners' social integration and improve their well-being. However, little is known about how social experiences with inclusion and integration (SEII) unfold for international PhD candidates in Dutch research universities (DRUs). This study uses the narratives…

Persuasiveness in oral communication in English can be expressed with various vocal phonetic cues that may not be readily accessible to English second language (L2) learners whose native language may employ a different set of cues. With a goal to increase L2 learners' perceived spoken confidence and persuasiveness, and obtain empirical evidence…

Drawing from Critical Latinx Indigeneities, this study explored how Kichwa Saraguro families are (re)creating their Indigeneity and reclaiming their Kichwa language in rural areas of Wisconsin. Using a subset of data gathered through ethnographic work, we report on interviews with 10 members of the Saraguro community as they described the…

Most students in higher education at present are 'digital natives.' They use technology in every facet of their life, including their education. They learn from formally organised courses as well as from informal learning. Hence, informal learning has been identified as crucial for the sustainability of higher education in the current global…

Effective professional development (PD) is crucial for enhancing teacher instruction and student achievement. This Spotlight explores innovative approaches to PD that prioritize teacher needs and foster meaningful learning experiences. From hybrid PD models to teacher-led initiatives and on-demand online courses, these articles offer valuable…

Using social network analysis, we sought to characterize the professional collaboration and advice networks among rural science teachers. Furthermore, we explored how the characteristics of individual teachers and distance between teachers affected the likelihood of forming connections. Science teachers in publicly funded rural schools were asked…

This article starts from gaps found in the literature on international students. The literature points out that we need studies on the subject that: bring different student profiles to explain their internationalization; explain, beyond mere description, the factors that motivate students to internationalize their studies and careers; and that…