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From this, we can thus infer that social process by using social media for the
media has the potential to enhance the classroom.
professional competencies of teachers In a 2016 study, the researcher
in their educational settings.
examined the way an online community
Amongst the various social media of educators took part in professional
platforms including Facebook, Twitter, development using Twitter (Wesely,
LinkedIn, Instagram, this particular 2016). The community of practice
study focusses on use of Twitter in was composed of World Language
the educational settings. One of the (WL) teachers who used Twitter as a
prime reasons for choosing Twitter social media platform for professional
is its growing usage by the educators development. This research study
for their professional development in took a socio-cultural perspective
North America and Europe. in approaching and understanding
teacher learning. It was a qualitative,
Review of Literature on the Use of netnography study. Researcher in the
Twitter in Education study was a participant observer for
more than a year. The key data source
In a 2012 study, researchers
investigated how teachers used Twitter was interviews with 9 teachers who
in their professional development were the community members. All the
(Forte, Humphreys & Park 2012). The teachers in the community of practice
study was exploratory in nature. Data (CoP) lived and worked in the United
collection tools were online survey and States and taught either Spanish or
interview. The sample comprised 37 French language. The researcher
respondents. Majority i.e. 78 percent of analysed teacher learning situated in a
these had been using Twitter for more community of practice on the basis of
than 12 months. Eight respondents three essential characteristics specified
were interviewed telephonically and by Wenger in 2006- Domain, Community
these interviews were recorded. The and Practice. Evidence of the study
respondents were asked to describe demonstrates that the community of
how their use of Twitter has changed practice of educators distinguished
over a passage of time. The findings from themselves as experts in world
an online survey and detailed interviews language education. These educators
were gathered along with 2000 tweets shared resources and participated in
related to education. Content analysis joint discussions using Twitter. These
of these 2000 tweets was done. The discussions lead to collaboration and
findings of the study were that with different projects initiatives and #chats.
the use of Twitter, teachers built and The #Langchat recorded the highest
maintained professional connections collaborative effort in this community
with other school teachers and shared of practice. This study provides ample
new ideas, practices and resources evidence that in this process of tweeting,
with them. The study hailed teachers learning took place in the community of
on Twitter as progressive thinkers who practice of world language educators.
could raise the efficacy of the reform Another 2016 study investigated

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Volume 3, Issue 2, July 2021