Eric.ed.gov – Creating Connections: The Internet and Teacher Isolation.

Four 3-year projects within the Rural Telecomputing Initiative enabled rural teachers in Montana, Colorado, Minnesota, and Tennessee to connect with math and science reform communities and use resources available through the Internet. This study of the projects’ first 2 years examined: (1) whether the projects made a difference in teachers’ isolation and attempts to improve math and science education; and (2) whether resources the projects developed were valuable to rural teachers in reforming math and science education. The study included two written surveys, 9 months apart, of teachers and principals. Evaluation teams visited two participating schools within each local project annually, observing science and mathematics classes; interviewing principals, teachers, and students; and moderating focus groups. Results found that teachers became substantially more comfortable with the Internet. Telecomputing reduced teachers’ sense of isolation and increased their collaboration with colleagues and experts. Resources acquired via the Internet at least had a moderate impact on their teaching; most teachers changed teaching techniques as a result of acquiring Internet resources. Teachers became more comfortable with being learning facilitators rather than information dispensers. (SM)