ERIC Number: EJ999804
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Nov
Pages: 33
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0195-6744
EISSN: N/A
A Social Network Perspective on Teacher Collaboration in Schools: Theory, Methodology, and Applications
Moolenaar, Nienke M.
American Journal of Education, v119 n1 p7-39 Nov 2012
An emerging trend in educational research is the use of social network theory and methodology to understand how teacher collaboration can support or constrain teaching, learning, and educational change. This article provides a critical synthesis of educational literature on school social networks among educators to advance our understanding of the embeddedness of teachers in the social context of schools. It focuses on how researchers currently use a social network perspective as a theoretical lens and methodology to frame studies on teacher collaboration in schools. Building on exemplary findings of recent studies, it shows that the pattern of social relationships among teachers may significantly enhance our understanding of the ways in which teacher collaboration takes place and contributes to student learning, teachers' instructional practice, and the implementation of reform. Finally, limitations and future directions in the conceptualization, measurement, and analysis of school social networks are indicated. (Contains 2 tables, 1 figure and 5 notes.)
Descriptors: Social Networks, Behavior Theories, Teaching Conditions, Educational Improvement, Faculty Development, Educational Research, Teacher Collaboration, Social Environment, Social Support Groups, Barriers, Teaching Methods, Learning Processes, Educational Change, Methods
University of Chicago Press. Journals Division, P.O. Box 37005, Chicago, IL 60637. Tel: 877-705-1878; Tel: 773-753-3347; Fax: 877-705-1879; Fax: 773-753-0811; e-mail: subscriptions@press.uchicago.edu; Web site: http://www.press.uchicago.edu/ucp/journals/journal/aje.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A