Beginning Teachers and Computer Networks: A New Form of Induction Support.

Abstract

Interactive computer networks, long available to members of the scientific and business communities, now appear with increasing frequency in higher education. Conferencing systems, such as BITNET, USENET and others supported by large university mainframe computers, effortlessly provide a means for members of most university communities to communicate quickly and efficiently with colleagues across the nation and around the world. This networking capacity has spread to some elementary and secondary schools, linking children and teachers on selected projects.3 While the notion of computer conferencing for educational purposes is not new (Kerr and Hiltz, 1982; Riel, 1986), the use of interactive computer networks by departments and schools of education to enhance the education of teachers remains relatively rare. Two institutions that provide access to the networks of large mainframe university computers for education students, faculty, and school site