1. University Leaders' Experiences Regarding Social-Media Integration in Higher Education
- Author
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Brickell, Stacy Lynn
- Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive study was to describe the experiences of university leaders regarding integration, use of, and barriers to social media practices within university classrooms and university settings in the United States. It was not known how university leaders were experiencing the integration, use of, and barriers to social media practices within university classrooms and settings. Two theoretical foundations were utilized: connectivism and social learning theory. Three research questions guided this inquiry: How do university leaders describe their experiences regarding (1) integration, (2) use of, (3) barriers, to social media practices within university classrooms and settings. A purposeful sampling strategy was used in selecting participants. The 43 participants were selected based on having the common characteristic of being university leaders. One-on-one interviews and a questionnaire were the two data collection sources. Through a thematic analysis, seven themes emerged: (a) Social Media Increases Communication, (b) Social Media Gives University Leaders a Platform, (c) University Leaders Experience a Lack of Training Regarding Social-Media Usage, (d) University Leaders Use Social Media to Build Relationships, (e) University Leaders Experience Social Media as Being Crucial to Their Job, (f) University Leaders Experience Social Media as a Way to Inform, (g) University Leaders Experience Social Media as Being Inappropriate. The findings indicate that usage of social media is prevalent in lives of university leaders and their experiences prove that training is needed as the leaders increasingly depend on social media to build relationships and establish a platform. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
- Published
- 2022