Investigating a Network: Online Communities and Peer Support

Educators have traditionally found professional development opportunities difficult to pursue for a myriad of reasons. From a lack of relevance, to the difficulties presented by the challenges of time and place, professional development has often been an elusive goal. However, the advent of technological innovations in the area of communication technology is seen as a potential solution to these problems. Now, given the proper communication tools, educators should be able to become involved in meaningful professional learning without the restrictions imposed by time and place. This paper examines preliminary findings from a study of a group of educators who have been involved in professional development through the use of an electronic network which has been in operation for more than a decade. The ability to develop an online community of practice and support an exchange of professional knowledge through this network will be discussed. Using content analysis, stimulated recall, interviews and the lens of Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations Theory as a framework, the value of such a network is being uncovered.