Supporting change and scholarship through review of online resources in professional development settings

How can we accelerate innovation and ensure effective dissemination of knowledge about online learning resources? This paper advocates strategies that systematically link online professional development with the research, development, and diffusion cycle. The systemic approach we describe can accelerate knowledge advancement and help manage change by improving communication among teachers, developers, and researchers. The examples that are provided are set within two funded projects in the United States that led to development of two distinct but related strategies -the Site Feedback Form for Educators (a web site review form used in workshops) and a sixweek online netcourse on technology supported assessments. Both examples make it easier to give feedback to developers and offer incentives to do so in ways that help teachers to learn about online resources individually and with colleagues. The examples are discussed with analysis of their strengths and weaknesses in supporting different modes of interaction. We highlight implications for instructional development, professional development, change research, and knowledge management in online communities.