Publication Date

2015

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Tonks, Stephen M.

Degree Name

Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations

LCSH

Educational leadership; Professional learning communities--Research; Teachers--Computer networks--Research; Teachers--Attitudes--Research; Teachers--Professional relationships--Research; Group work in education--Research

Abstract

Helping teachers develop the habits of mind and pedagogical skills to improve student achievement has been a challenge for schools and school leaders. Online professional learning networks (PLNs) are a means of allaying the barriers to collaboration. This study utilized social constructivist learning theory and self-efficacy theory to explore the relationship among frequency of teacher collaboration via PLN and teachers' sense of efficacy and adoption of best instructional practices. Study participants were teachers from throughout the United States who participated in education-related Twitter chats. The participants completed an online survey that was embedded in a tweet. The survey instrument included the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale and a portion of the Teaching and Learning International Survey 2008 (TALIS 2008) as well as a few open-ended and demographic questions. The study found a strong relationship between frequent online collaboration and teachers' sense of efficacy related to engaging students in learning. The teachers reported that PLN collaboration gave them access to resources and strategies as well as other teachers who wanted to share and learn together. Future research should look at the direct influence of PLN participation on teacher beliefs and practices. PLNs could be a means to engage more teachers, particularly veteran teachers, in learning that leads to improved pedagogy and enhanced efficacy beliefs.

Comments

Advisors: Stephen Tonks; Kelly H. Summers.||Committee members: Jon Crawford.

Extent

138 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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