Self-Directed Educator Learning on Reddit: Comparing and Contrasting Two Teaching-Related Subreddits

• In Event: Professional Learning and Resources for Teachers in Social Media and Digital Environments

Abstract

Digital technologies have become commonplace in educators' work, and many teachers take advantage of online professional development. However, research has yet to address the full range of such opportunities. This qualitative study addresses a gap in the literature by exploring two teaching-related spaces on Reddit, r/Teachers and r/education. We sampled top posts and responses from more than a million contributions to these two subreddits, spanning three-and-a-half years. Findings suggest that the r/Teachers and r/education subreddits are quite distinct spaces. r/Teachers is a conversational space for educators where personal stories, affirmation, and humor are commonplace. r/education is a space for broader discussion and information sharing, with much more disagreement, and topics often include education policy and societal factors impacting education.

Authors

• Jeffrey Paul Carpenter, Elon University

• Bret Staudt Willet, Florida State University