Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking

Since the advent of online social networking sites, much has been written about their potential for transforming academia, as communication and collaboration underpin many scholarly activities. However, the extent to which these benefits are being realised in practice is unclear. As the uptake of to...

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Main Authors: Katy Jordan, Martin Weller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Association for Learning Technology 2018-04-01
Series:Research in Learning Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journal.alt.ac.uk/index.php/rlt/article/view/2013/pdf_1
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spelling doaj-5973d65630fc49409ce6f517f6e100702020-11-24T23:24:46ZengAssociation for Learning Technology Research in Learning Technology2156-70772018-04-0126011310.25304/rlt.v26.20132013Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networkingKaty Jordan0Martin Weller1Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UKInstitute of Educational Technology, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UKSince the advent of online social networking sites, much has been written about their potential for transforming academia, as communication and collaboration underpin many scholarly activities. However, the extent to which these benefits are being realised in practice is unclear. As the uptake of tools by academics continues to grow, there is a question as to whether differences exist in their use and if any patterns or underlying factors are at play. This article presents the results of an online survey addressing this gap. A disciplinary divide was evident in terms of preferred academic social networking platforms, while perceptions about how academics use online networking for different purposes are linked to job position. Exploratory factor analysis identified four components representing different strategies used by academics in their approaches to online networking, including maintaining a personal learning network, promoting the professional self, seeking and promoting publications, and advancing careers.https://journal.alt.ac.uk/index.php/rlt/article/view/2013/pdf_1social mediaacademic networkingsocial networking sitesdigital scholarship
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Katy Jordan
Martin Weller
spellingShingle Katy Jordan
Martin Weller
Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking
Research in Learning Technology
social media
academic networking
social networking sites
digital scholarship
author_facet Katy Jordan
Martin Weller
author_sort Katy Jordan
title Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking
title_short Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking
title_full Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking
title_fullStr Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking
title_full_unstemmed Communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking
title_sort communication, collaboration and identity: factor analysis of academics’ perceptions of online networking
publisher Association for Learning Technology
series Research in Learning Technology
issn 2156-7077
publishDate 2018-04-01
description Since the advent of online social networking sites, much has been written about their potential for transforming academia, as communication and collaboration underpin many scholarly activities. However, the extent to which these benefits are being realised in practice is unclear. As the uptake of tools by academics continues to grow, there is a question as to whether differences exist in their use and if any patterns or underlying factors are at play. This article presents the results of an online survey addressing this gap. A disciplinary divide was evident in terms of preferred academic social networking platforms, while perceptions about how academics use online networking for different purposes are linked to job position. Exploratory factor analysis identified four components representing different strategies used by academics in their approaches to online networking, including maintaining a personal learning network, promoting the professional self, seeking and promoting publications, and advancing careers.
topic social media
academic networking
social networking sites
digital scholarship
url https://journal.alt.ac.uk/index.php/rlt/article/view/2013/pdf_1
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