Degree Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2012
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
First Advisor
Scott McLeod
Second Advisor
Amy Hutchison
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative, multiple-case study was two-fold: 1) to describe, analyze, and interpret the experiences of school principals and superintendents who use multiple social media tools such as blogs, microblogs, social networking sites, podcasts, and online videos with stakeholders as part of their comprehensive communications practices, and 2) to examine why the principals and superintendents have chosen to communicate with their stakeholders through social media. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 12 principals and 12 superintendents purposefully selected from four regions of the United States and Canada were conducted. Social CRM served as the framework for the study. Findings revealed four themes that applied to both groups: 1) Social media tools allow for greater interactions between school administrators and their stakeholders; 2) Social media tools provide stronger connections to local stakeholders, to fellow educators, and to the world; 3) Social media use can have a significant impact on a school administrator's personal and professional growth; and 4) Social media use is an expectation; it's no longer optional. Implications for practice, for boards of education, for educational leadership programs, and for expanding the definition of Social CRM are included.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.31274/etd-180810-569
Copyright Owner
Daniel Dean Cox
Copyright Date
2012
Language
en
Date Available
2012-10-31
File Format
application/pdf
File Size
244 pages
Recommended Citation
Cox, Daniel Dean, "School communications 2.0: A social media strategy for K-12 principals and superintendents" (2012). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 12301.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/etd/12301