Enhancing teacher development through TeleNex — A computer network for English language teachers

Abstract

This paper reports an attempt to enhance the continuous professional development of English language teachers by setting up a computer network, TeleNex. The paper first proposes that the concept “teacher development” encompasses three important facets: the development of knowledge and skills, the development of a collaborative culture, and the development of the teacher as a person. It then discusses how the two components of the network, namely the database component and the communications component, enhance these facets of development. Briefly, the database component provides, through its grammar database and teaching ideas database, a body of subject matter knowledge and a bank of teaching resources to help teachers to develop their knowledge and skills. The communications component focuses on the other two facets of teacher growth. It provides a platform for teachers to initiate cross-school collaboration, build confidence in themselves as autonomous professionals, and share reflections on their classroom practices with others, thus enhancing their collaborative and personal development. Messages sent in by users show that participating teachers have been using the network to enrich their knowledge base and to share ideas and frustrations. These messages demonstrate that the network is providing valuable support to teachers in their development as autonomous professionals.