2019-2020 Faculty Research Grants

Luana Greulich and Anneris Coria-Navia (Teaching, Learning & Curriculum)

Physiognomy of Social Networks in Diverse K-12 Classrooms

The study of social relationships in K-12 classrooms and schools remains of interest to the field of education yet the research is underdeveloped and the results underutilized. Understanding relationships through the mapping of interactions is valuable information for educators and students. Social network analysis (SNA) provides the tools for answering questions concerning relationships and the effect that those relationships have in the experience of the student. This is particularly true for students with disabilities and learning differences. Educators can use this information to facilitate the creation of strong and effective networks for maximizing student learning and the student social experience. Students can use the knowledge drawn from the study of networks to be intentional about creating relationships that are beneficial in their academic and social experiences. This research project will look at the way relationships form and develop in K-12 classrooms with diverse populations particularly focusing on students with disabilities and learning differences. Surveys and interviews will be used for data collection in order to present visually, quantitatively, and qualitatively the basic structure of social, study, safety and security networks of students in select diverse K-12 classrooms. This study also seeks to identify central and peripheral actors as well as the characteristics and perceived reasons that make them operate in a position of power or in the outskirts of the network. Inferences about the students placement in the network and overall school experience will be drawn.