Download or read book Perceptions of Professional Development in Virtual Communities of Practice written by Gregory M. McGough and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 126 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This research study attempted to understand the perceptions of educators who utilize social media and Web 2.0 tools to meet their dynamic professional development needs in one school district in southeastern Pennsylvania. It also examined the habits of connected educators who are collaborating with international colleagues. Thirty-one educators participated in this qualitative study to answer three research questions. The research data were collected using a survey, open-ended questionnaire, and phone interviews. The study indicated that educators are leveraging social media and Web 2.0 tools to collaborate and share professional practices. The study also found that many of the educators in this study sought out this alternative form of virtual professional development because of an internal drive to improve student achievement in their own district, schools, and classrooms.