English language teachers’ professional uses of email

Abstract

In terms of education, e‐mail has cemented its importance, as well as its status, as the overarching Internet tool. Specifically in the research of teacher education and teacher development, e‐mails have been found to be empowering teachers’ collaborative and networking practices. Such use of e‐mails stimulates and refreshes teachers’ professional development. Intrigued by Bowman et al.’s findings and also realizing the potentials of e‐mail in proliferating knowledge relating to teachers’ professional development, the authors carried out a study to determine Malaysian English language teachers’ professional uses of e‐mail and the effects or contributions to the their professional learning, development and lives. Both quantitative and qualitative data are reported and compared to Bowman’s findings to see the relevance of the use of e‐mail in enhancing teachers’ professional learning and development.