It's all about connections: Teachers, Online Communities

The impact of the Internet on our lives has been
pervasive. People are increasingly turning to the
social interaction available on the Internet to
satisfy their needs, whether these are professional
or personal. The Internet offers users fast access
to social contacts such as online chat groups and
discussion lists helping us to make connections with
others. Online communities are being increasingly
used by teachers for professional support, guidance
and inspiration. They present as a source of
continuous professional development for teachers as
they are able to deliver authentic and personalised
opportunities for learning. This book will present
the findings of a study that was conducted on three
online communities for teachers. It will explore the
nature of online community membership and offer some
conclusions regarding their potential as a source of
professional learning for teachers.

Autorentext

Dr Jennifer Duncan-Howell is a lecturer in Information andCommunication Technologies (ICT) and teacher education atQueensland University of Technology. Her research focuses ononline communities, continuing teacher professional development,elearning, Web 2.0 technologies, building teacher capacity andelectronic research methodology.

Klappentext

The impact of the Internet on our lives has beenpervasive. People are increasingly turning to thesocial interaction available on the Internet tosatisfy their needs, whether these are professionalor personal. The Internet offers users fast accessto social contacts such as online chat groups anddiscussion lists helping us to make connections withothers. Online communities are being increasinglyused by teachers for professional support, guidanceand inspiration. They present as a source ofcontinuous professional development for teachers asthey are able to deliver authentic and personalisedopportunities for learning. This book will presentthe findings of a study that was conducted on threeonline communities for teachers. It will explore thenature of online community membership and offer someconclusions regarding their potential as a source ofprofessional learning for teachers.