Adjusting sails for changing winds: exploring Reddit use for professional purposes in higher education

Abstract

Emerging practices of social media for professional purposes in higher education merit further attention. Reddit, a social media platform, is under-studied despite its significant presence. This study explores participation patterns on Reddit for two summer periods during 2019–2020, before and during COVID-19. We collected a total of 82,494 contributions from two subreddits, r/highereducation and r/Professors. Results show changes in contributions and interactions, with more consistent growth in r/Professors. Major topics discussed in both subreddits during summer 2020 had shifted from 2019, largely related to COVID-19. Findings are discussed with a community of practice lens, noting changes in participation and adjustment to the crisis. Additionally, we present implications for supporting and sustaining higher education professionals through Reddit during and after massive disruptions like those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Complexities of Using Digital Social Networks in Teaching and Learning

“…Ideally, these networked learning practices constitute experiences in which (a) there is shared responsibility for the learning process amongst all stakeholders involved, (b) learning takes on a collaborative format, (c) there is opportunity for critical reflection, and (d) social exchanges support the knowledge and identity creation (The Networked Learning Editorial Collective, 2020). In fact, researchers and scholars have already highlighted the potential for networked learning initiatives using digital social networks to support learners in higher education (Romero-Hall, 2022;Castellanos-Reyes et al, 2021;Muljana et al, 2022;Shelton et al, 2022;Aydin, 2012, Asino et al, 2021.…”

“…Digital social networks are also used by instructors as part of the learning experience or to engage with learners in less formal ways (Asino et al, 2021;Romero-Hall, 2021). In education research, there have been a number of investigations primarily related to how instructors and learners use specific digital social networks such as Twitter (Erhel et al, 2022), Reddit (Muljana et al, 2022), Instagram (Shelton et al, 2022), Facebook (Aydin, 2012), WhatsApp (Asino et al, 2021), and others by instructors and learners in higher education.…”

“Visibility, Transparency, Feedback and Recognition”: Higher Education Scholars Using Digital Social Networks

“…As previously mentioned in this paper, the use of digital social networks in education, at various educational levels, continues to flourish due to its potential for networked learning (Watson 2020;Mese & Aydin 2019;Asino, Gurjar & Boer 2021;Mazana 2018;Castellanos-Reyes et al 2022;Shelton et al 2022;Muljana, Staudt Willet & Luo 2022). In addition to being used in a teaching and learning context, different digital social networks have evolved into affinity spaces in which academics aim to socialize and interact with other scholars for professional purposes.…”

Generative AI Generating Buzz: Volume, Engagement, and Content of Initial Reactions to ChatGPT in Discussions Across Education-Related Subreddits

“…We purposefully selected the 25 education-related subreddits, starting with the 16 that officially comprise the Reddit Education Network listed in r/education (e.g., r/education, r/Teachers, and r/matheducation). Following explorations from our past Reddit studies Muljana et al, 2022;Na & Staudt Willet, 2022;Na et al, 2024;Staudt Willet & Carpenter, 2020, we added nine additional education-related subreddits to include more perspectives from higher education (e.g., r/academia, r/Professors) and K-12 teachers' experiences (e.g., r/TeachersinTransition, r/teaching). Although we collected data from a broad range of education-related affinity spaces, it is important to note that this sample does not represent all educators, because those posting on Reddit are likely to be above-average technology users (Richard et al, 2021;Simmonds, 2023) with an interest in discussing the emerging technology of GenAI.…”