A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study of School Administrators’ Participation in Personal Learning Networks and Privacy Issues
Abstract
The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand how
school administrators made sense of their experience utilizing social networking tools to
participate in personal learning networks (PLN) while managing privacy. As school
administrators digitally collaborate with PLN colleagues, they must construct an online
identity and develop and cultivate relationships. Additionally, to engage in a PLN one must
decide how much information to disclose on the internet as well as determine methods to
regulate online privacy. The potential impact of disclosing too much information could cause
undue professional or personal harm against an individual. However, failure to disclose
information to PLN members could negatively impact relationships and compromise others’
perception of trust.
For this study, interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) methods were used with
six educational administrators. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews;
written documents of participants’ experience and perception of PLNs; and analysis of
participants’ Tweets over a thirty day span. Interviews were analyzed according to a four-part analytical process. Written documents and Tweets were coded using enumerative and
thematic data analysis methods.
The findings of the study revealed three emergent themes that explained school
administrators’ understanding of PLN participation and privacy issues, which were titled: (1)
Must Share and Exchange Resources; Help Others Grow; (2) Power of the People; Personal
and Professional Benefits, Powered by PLN; and (3) Privacy Should Not Be the Priority. The
findings affirmed school administrators’ understanding of participating in a personal learning
network utilizing social networking tools as being solely motivated by the sharing of
information and resources, with little to no regard of privacy issues.
The results of this study have implications for school leaders as well as digital
learning community facilitators
Table of Contents
Abstract -- List of tables -- List of illustrations -- Glossary -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction -- Review of literature -- Methodology -- Findings --
Discussion -- Appendix -- Consent for participation in a research study -- Verbal consent script -- Interview schedule of questions -- References
Degree
Ed. D.