Is Social Media, as a Professional Learning Development Tool, Beneficial for Teachers?

The purpose of this research project was to investigate a method for a small rural school district to provide fiscally responsible, effective, and personalized professional development to all of its staff members. The use of social media, such as Twitter, has allowed teachers the ability to connect with other educators, develop professional learning networks, share ideas, and seek out teaching strategies that would allow teachers to connect with all students at little to no cost. This research study investigated how teachers in a small, rural, southwestern Pennsylvania high school utilized social media as a means to grow professionally, connect with other professionals, and collaborate with other professionals around the world. The researcher surveyed a population of 28 high school teachers with various years of service. Teachers were surveyed on their use of Twitter and how the app has impacted their professional development. This research also addressed how Twitter has impacted the teachers’ professional development and how they utilized it with other professionals. During the study, the teachers were asked how Twitter allowed them to connect with other teachers, professionals, and new content. The research also investigated whether or not Twitter had the ability to change teachers’ knowledge of content, and if it allowed teachers to grow professionally. Finally, the research conducted a finding of the finance of professional development and compares the costs associated with the professional learning communities to the costs of using social media for the development of professionals. Publisher