Learning Forward

Equity and excellence in teaching and learning.

Menu

Never Underestimate The Value of Connections

Social capital’s strength lies in expertise, reciprocity, and relevance

By Learning Forward
February 2012
Vol. 33 No. 1
Over the past few decades, sociologists have used the concept of social capital to describe the various benefits of group membership. More recently, education researchers have used this concept to describe the effects of schoolwide teacher professional development (Baker-Doyle & Yoon, 2011; Coburn & Russell, 2008; Penuel, Riel, Krause, & Frank, 2009). This approach to understanding professional development offers valuable insight into the types of resources necessary to transform teachers’ professional learning. Baker-Doyle and Yoon define teachers’ social capital as “the knowledge and resources for teaching practice accessible through a social network” (2011, p.76). The first step to analyzing teachers’ social capital is to understand the structure of their social network. Some networks are highly interconnected, offering teachers numerous opportunities to share ideas and receive

Read the remaining content with membership access. Join or log in below to continue.

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem.

Log In
   
Forgot password? Click here to reset
New User? Click here to register

screen-shot-2016-12-04-at-8-33-28-am

Categories of Social Capital

Research Category 1 Category 2 Category 3
Adler & Kwon, 2002 Information Solidarity Influence
Coburn & Russell, 2008 Access to expertise Trust and shared norms Depth and congruence of interactions
Coleman, 1988 Information channels Obligations, expectations, and trustworthiness Norms of behavior and enforcement policies

References

Adler, P.S. & Kwon S. (2002). Social capital: Prospects for a new concept. Academy of Management Review, 27(1), 17-40.

Baker-Doyle, K.J. & Yoon, S.A. (2011, February). In search of practitioner-based social capital: A social network analysis tool for understanding and facilitating teacher collaboration in the US-based STEM professional development program. Professional Development in Education, 37(1), 75-93.

Coburn, C.E. & Russell, J.L. (2008). District policy and teachers’ social networks. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 30(3), 203-235.

Coleman, J.S. (1988). Social capital in the creation of human capital. American Journal of Sociology, 94, 95-120.

Davis, K.S. (2003, January). “Change is hard”: What science teachers are telling us about reform and teacher learning of innovative practices. Science Education, 87(1), 3-30.

Hoffman-Kipp, P., Artiles, A., & Lopez-Torres, L. (2003, Summer). Beyond reflection: Teacher learning as praxis. Theory into Practice, 42(3), 248-254.

Lave, J. & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge, United Kingdon: University of Cambridge Press.

Penuel, W., Riel, M., Krause, A., & Frank, K. (2009). Analyzing teachers’ professional interactions in a school as social capital: A social network approach. Teachers College Record, 111(1), 124-163.

Van Driel, J.H., Beijaard, D., & Verloop, N. (2001, February). Professional development and reform in science education: The role of teachers’ practical knowledge. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 38(2), 137-158.

Image for aesthetic effect only - Learning-forward-logo-square
+ posts

Learning Forward is the only professional association devoted exclusively to those who work in educator professional development. We help our members plan, implement, and measure high-quality professional learning so they can achieve success with their systems, schools, and students.

Search
The Learning Professional

Published Date
Reset

CURRENT ISSUE

    • Recent Issues

    TAKING THE NEXT STEP
    December 2023

    Professional learning can open up new roles and challenges and help...

    REACHING ALL LEARNERS
    October 2023

    Both special education and general education teachers need support to help...

    THE TIME DILEMMA
    August 2023

    Prioritizing professional learning time is an investment in educators and...

    ACCELERATING LEARNING
    June 2023

    Acceleration aims to ensure all students overcome learning gaps to do...

  • © Copyright Learning Forward
    • Skip to content