Abstract:

In this paper we have discussed various issues that become relevant for developing and testing an online forum where teachers can consult a team composed of professionals and colleagues getting advice when they experience difficult teaching situations. The paper is based on research gained at the end of the first 2 years of a 3-years action project.

The purposes of the project are:
- To develop and test a site where teachers can receive advice anonymously when they experience difficulties in connection with the execution of their teaching.
- To asses methods based on traditional theory in face-to-face guidance to evaluate usability in online guidance, or develop an appropriate model for online guidance.

The material included in this survey is texts teachers have communicated to the Teacher Forum and answers given by the coaches. Methodical material processed by the use of text analytical techniques in combination with analytical methods, adapted by Glasser & Straus and Straus & Corbin. In the first analysis it made a random selection of texts from a base of more than 200 texts.

The results from these analysis show that the teachers' problems fall within a few main categories. They ask primarily for: 1) General knowledge / information, 2) personal / social support, or 3) professional knowledge / guidance. The project has developed analytical categories and codes that can be used to analyze teachers' texts. The new counseling model we have developed is based on information won by analyzing the description of the problem, but is also building on key concepts from relevant theories. The results are compared with results from a similar research project being pursued by a partner university in Germany.

The conclusion so far is that the online guidance should become an important substantial supplement to traditional face-to face supervision. The project is now developing a model for such networks guidance. This guidance system may be of special interests for teachers the first year of a teacher’s career. In addition, it is a knowledge base where teachers can find a number of examples of contemporary issues teachers experience in their practice.

Keywords:

online guidance, teachers forum, analysis, grounded theory, problem analysis.