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Dissertation Implications of Online Social Network Sites DISSERTATION IMPLICATIONS OF ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORK SITES ON THE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERS Submitted by Scott Elias School of Education In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado Summer 2012 Doctoral Committee: Advisor: Rodrick Lucero Pamela Coke Donna Cooner Gene Gloeckner Copyright by Scott James Elias 2012 All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT IMPLICATIONS OF ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORK SITES ON THE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERS The purpose of this study is to explore the ways in which five educational leaders make use of online social network sites (SNSs) for their personal and professional learning. Specifically, I focus on how participants use social networking tools to create and maintain online learning communities, how they interact within these communities, and how they believe their use of SNSs for this purpose has benefitted their professional practice. From a post-positivist stance, the data are analyzed in light of the research on social and informal learning theory, leadership development, and the sociological paradigm of communities of practice. Using data gathered from participants’ online behavior as well as through in-depth interviews, I identify common themes across participants’ narratives and examine how their online behavior mirrors what the research describes as the key components of leadership development. The analysis suggests that participants interact via SNSs in ways that approximate face- to-face communities of practice. Further, the social and informal nature of participation in online communities supports learning that is relevant, timely, and contextualized – critical aspects that the research indicates are necessary for professional growth. Implications of the study findings are explored for educational leaders and those charged with their professional development. Through this research, it is my hope that educational leaders’ use of online social networks sites and their perceived benefits can be better understood. Evidence that supports that educational leaders experience real and perceived benefits as a result ii of participation in SNSs suggests that they may have at their disposal a tool for continuous learning and growth that is as close as their nearest computer or internet-connected device. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I owe an enormous debt of gratitude for the support and guidance provided by my adviser, Dr. Rodrick Lucero. While at times this topic was uncharted territory for him, Rod was willing to ask questions, humor me, and allow me the freedom to explore it more fully. I am also very grateful for the support of Dr. Gene Gloeckner who, late in the game, took on the task of being my methodologist. He has watched the evolution of this study from the beginning and even signed up for a Twitter account. Additional appreciation goes to Dr. Donna Cooner and Dr. Pamela Coke who have served on my committee. They have stretched and challenged my thinking. I would also like to acknowledge the special support of my children, Scott, 7, and Elizabeth, 5. They have been very patient and understanding with “Daddy’s school” and “Daddy’s homework” over the past five years. Most important, this journey would not have been possible without the loving and unwavering support of my wife, Lorraine. Earning this degree has very much been a team effort. I continue to be grateful for her understanding of the hours I spent in class and the evenings and weekend I spent interviewing, working, and writing. When I was ready to call it quits at one point, it was her reassurance that we were in this together that gave me the strength I needed to continue. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ! CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1! Problem ........................................................................................................................... 3! Purpose ............................................................................................................................ 5! Parameters ....................................................................................................................... 5! Assumptions .................................................................................................................... 6! Significance of the Study ................................................................................................ 7! Researcher's Perspective ................................................................................................. 8! CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................... 12! Learning and Professional Growth ............................................................................... 12! Leadership Development for Principals ....................................................................... 14! Communities of Practice ............................................................................................... 17! Online Social Network Sites ......................................................................................... 21! Moving Communities of Practice into Virtual Spaces ................................................. 24! Use of Social Network Sites by Educators and School Leaders ................................... 27! Summary ....................................................................................................................... 29! CHAPTER 3: METHOD .................................................................................................. 31! Research Approach & Rationale ................................................................................... 32! Participants .................................................................................................................... 34! Design and Data Collection .......................................................................................... 36! Procedures ..................................................................................................................... 38! Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 40! CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS ................................................................................................ 43! Participants .................................................................................................................... 43! Tweet Analysis ............................................................................................................. 43! Thematic Analysis ........................................................................................................ 47! "PD before Twitter was like an event." ..................................................................... 47! "It has nothing to do with technology and everything to do with people." ............... 50! "If I can't control this, I need to be a part of it." ........................................................ 52! "I never saw this coming." ........................................................................................ 54! Revisiting the Research Questions ............................................................................... 56! Research Question 1 ................................................................................................. 56! Research Question 2 ................................................................................................. 58! Research Question 3 ................................................................................................. 61! Summary ....................................................................................................................... 63! v CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION ............................................................................................ 65! Overview of the Problem .............................................................................................. 65! Purpose Statement and Research Questions ............................................................. 66! Review of Methodology ........................................................................................... 67! Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................. 69! Implications .................................................................................................................. 70! Keeping Professional Development Relevant .......................................................... 71! Supporting Educational Leaders ............................................................................... 73! Extending Communities of Practice to Virtual Spaces ............................................. 75! Implications for Future Research .................................................................................. 76! Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 79! Researcher Reflections ................................................................................................. 81! REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 84! APPENDIX A: Institutional Review Board Exemption Letter ........................................ 88! APPENDIX
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