Template-type: ReDif-Paper 1.0 
Author-Name: Rehm, Martin
Author-Email: martin.rehm@uni-due.de
Author-workplace-name: UNU-MERIT, and University Duisburg–Essen
Author-Name: Notten, Ad 
Author-Email: notten@merit.unu.edu	
Author-workplace-name: UNU-MERIT, and Maastricht University
Title: The invisible hand of informal (educational) communication!?: Social capital 
	 considerations on Twitter conversations among teachers 
Abstract: Twitter can contribute to the continuous professional development of 
	 teachers by initiating and fostering informal learning. Social capital 
	 theory can aid to analyse the underlying communication processes and 
	 outcomes. Yet, previous research has largely neglected teachers and the 
	 role of social capital on Twitter. The present study addresses this 
	 shortcoming by analysing a hashtag conversation among German speaking 
	 teachers. Using social network analysis, we are able to show the 
	 relevance of the structural dimension of social capital in Twitter 
	 conversations among teachers.
Keywords: informal learning, teacher professional development, social capital,
	 social network analysis, social media
Classification-JEL: I21, I28, D83, D85, O33, O35 
Series: UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Creation-Date: 20160914
Number: 2016-052
File-URL: https://unu-merit.nl/publications/wppdf/2016/wp2016-052.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 275 kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2016052