Roles of Change Agents in Discussion Network for Undergraduate Education: Insights from a Department Action Team Case

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Thursday 9:45am
  In Poster Session: Div J, Section 4 Poster Session 2

Abstract

A small group of department members can be useful for identifying challenges and solutions to enhance curriculum and resources that support student success. Measuring the complex network of social interactions among department members provides deeper understanding of group dynamics that influence collaborative work such as this. This study examined the structural roles of Departmental Action Team (DAT) members across three years by analyzing a within-department discussion network involved in an instructional improvement project. Across the years, we observed that the tenure system faculty in DAT maintained a peripheral role in the network relative to instructional faculty. We observed that a staff DAT member maintained a stable role as a broker among multiple members of the department who held differing roles.

Authors

• Jaeyun Han, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Fructoso M Basaldua, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Mikayla Strasser, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Susan P Farruggia, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Carmen Lilley, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Mike Stieff, University of Illinois at Chicago