A Content Analysis of Social Media Interactions in the Facebook Band Directors Group

Abstract

The authors examine the interactions of music educators within an online social media community, the Band Directors Group on Facebook. Using a quantitative content analysis approach to examine 1,656 unique threads, the authors explore the frequencies of posted topics and general topic interest as measured by user responses. Among the 54 different codes used to categorize topics, repertoire selection, instrument recommendations, and rehearsal strategies emerged as the most frequent topics of discussion. Additionally, the authors explored the application of Wenger, McDermott, and Snyder’s (2002) community of practice theory and found that the group is a functioning community of practice that exhibits many of the common characteristics associated with the theory.

Facebook Band Director’s Group: Member Usage Behaviors and Perceived Satisfaction for Meeting Professional Development Needs

“…To address Research Question 1, a set of demographic items (gender, age, ethnicity, teaching assignment, and education) were included. Research Question 2 was investigated using a series of items asking respondents to indicate the amount of time or the number of times in an average day or week they devoted to particular features and activities within BDG, as identified in the author’s previous content analysis of BDG (Brewer & Rickels, 2014). Data to support Questions 2 and 3 were also gained through two sets of Likert-type response items.…”

“…As of July 12, 2016 the membership of BDG was 17,373. The authors (Brewer & Rickels, 2014) previously completed a content analysis of the member interactions in BDG, guided by the work of Bauer and Moehle (2008). The authors explored the frequency of curricular, cocurricular, and community-oriented topics as well as the application of Wenger’s theory of communities of practice to the group’s structure and dynamics.…”

Instructional Expertise and Micropolitics: The Social Networks of Instrumental Music Teachers

“…Music teachers may feel their work is distinct from that of other teachers, causing some to turn to sources outside their in-school networks for instructional questions. For example, several studies have looked at advice seeking in online forums (Brewer & Rickels, 2014; Millican, 2017; Rickels & Brewer, 2017). Specifically, in a survey study of those using the Facebook “Band Directors Group” forum, Rickels and Brewer (2017) found that participants averaged nearly daily usage and felt that the group satisfied their professional development needs.…”

Music-related activities on Facebook

“…In reflection of this, recent research has considered the use of social media (and Facebook specifically) in music education/learning. For instance, researchers have considered the role of technology in musical communities of practice (e.g., Brewer & Rickels, 2014;Medvinsky, 2017;Mills, 2015;Palmquist & Barnes, 2015;Partti & Karlsen, 2010;Salavuo, 2006Salavuo, , 2008Waldron, 2013Waldron, , 2018Waldron & Veblen, 2008);…”