LabNet: An intentional electronic community for professional development

Ongoing contact and peer support are essential to continued professional growth for educators. An electronic community can provide a supportive environment to foster change and growth and to lessen the isolation often found in teaching. Experience with TERC's LabNet project suggests that a succ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Computers and education 1995, Vol.24 (3), p.247-255
Main Authors: Spitzer, William, Wedding, Kelly
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic Community
Computer Mediated Communication
Computer Networks
Connectivity
Electronic Mail
Examples
Faculty Development
Peer Support
Professional Development
Teachers
Telecommunications
User Needs (Information)
Work Environment
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Summary:Ongoing contact and peer support are essential to continued professional growth for educators. An electronic community can provide a supportive environment to foster change and growth and to lessen the isolation often found in teaching. Experience with TERC's LabNet project suggests that a successful electronic community requires careful design, comfort with the technology among the users, and a commitment by members to active participation. Skilled moderators play essential leadership roles using a variety of modes of communication to nurture collegial connections and reflective conversations. Networks are not a replacement for other forms of contact, training, and professional development. However, with careful attention to technical and social design, electronic communities can provide fertile ground for ongoing learning and professional growth.
ISSN:0360-1315
1873-782X
DOI:10.1016/0360-1315(95)00016-F