Skip to main content

Table 1 Number of posts and users reached by Thematic content categories

From: Content in context: analyzing interactions in a graduate-level academic Facebook group

Broad category

Refined subcategory (Abbreviation)

Category definition

Number of posts

Users reached

Professional Information

Reading (Rdg)

A news item, web post, or article about relevant topics intended to disseminate either research implications or state policy issues/revisions

64 (25%)

4730 (25%)

Opportunity (Opp)

Employment opportunities related to math ed (e.g., tutoring or K-12/higher ed employment) or funding opportunities

31 (12%)

1571 (8%)

Resource (Res)

General educational and career resources (e.g., new math app, teaching materials)

18 (7%)

1146 (6%)

Entertainment

Humor (Humor)

Math- or education-related jokes or observations intended to entertain

59 (23%)

4972 (26%)

Quote (Quote)

A direct, inspirational quote from an author or historical figure, usually related to math, teaching, or learning

16 (6%)

864 (5%)

Problem (Prob)

Math problem posed to the group, as an intellectually stimulating challenge

3 (1%)

122 (1%)

Locally Situated Information

Event (Evnt)

Information, usually involving the date/time/location regarding a departmental or other math ed event

23 (9%)

2295 (12%)

Photo (Photo)

Photo(s) involving faculty, students or alumni, often taken at a departmental or other math ed event

15 (6%)

1883 (10%)

Notice (Ntce)

Notices or general information about university affairs (e.g., academic deadlines and course schedules)

10 (4%)

1052 (5%)

Kudos (Kudos)

Announcement of student, alumni, or faculty achievement or life event

7 (3%)

366 (2%)

Request (Req)

Request of assistance from math ed group related to local issue or request for photos/posts from administrator

6 (2%)

170 (1%)