I’ve been thinking about this issue, and it still seems a bit strange to me. I mostly think that administrators should not have to be involved in setting up a collaborative group for teachers. However, in this case I can sympathize. It is my impression that the teachers in the pilot project do not know who the other teachers are. As a result, the job action may prevent them from connecting into a network. I wonder then, if collaborative workspaces should not be set up and available to teachers within the district, such that intervention tech support or administrators is not needed? So ultimately part of this issue comes down to the district providing such a workplace such that collaboration is much easier. I believe the VSB does have collaborative workspace, but it is done through an awkward Sharepoint implementation. Over time as these networks grow and perhaps with some de-centralization of education, such workspaces will be more accessible.

Thanks for the comment,
Doug

It’s funny that when we think of support, we often think mostly of PD, as in having someone teach us how to use a specific tool, program, strategy, etc. But, as you have identified through the interview process, ongoing support is as important as initial training. What’s interesting is that your subject identifies the abandon-ers as his/her colleagues, rather than the administration or it staff. This has come up in other conversations that it seems like the collegiality and professionalism surrounding technology use among teaching professionals is dwindling, or non-existent to begin with. Definitely job action will dampen the mood, and especially since it usually revolves around the amount of work or the number of hours teachers are putting in. Unfortunately a bare-minimum (essential) work only mandate means there’s no time or place for implementing technology strategies or even just helping each other out. Without the job action, though, I wonder what practices or policies motivate teachers to share with and mentor each other. An interesting topic to say the least, and some great food for thought.