Harvard University Beginning Teacher Computer Network

Interactive computer networks, long available to members of the 
scientific, business and higher education communities, now are gaining 
popularity among K-12 classroom teachers and administrators.  One such 
network dedicated to the first year teacher is the Beginning Teacher 
Computer Network (BTCN) initiated at the Harvard Graduate School of 
Education in 1987. Now in its sixth year, the purpose of this network is 
to provide for the support, encouragement and professional growth of first 
year teachers.  This network links graduates of the Harvard Teacher 
Education Programs who are in their first year of teaching in public and 
private urban, suburban and rural schools across the country.   Other 
members of the network include Harvard faculty and staff, a small number 
of second year teachers who were invited to stay on for an additional year 
and other invited guests.  Unlike larger computer conferencing systems, 
such as Bitnet or Prodigy, this network is purposefully small, utilizing 
desktop personal computers, modems and one telephone line.  The simplicity 
of the network means that it can be inexpensively introduced wherever 
phone lines and computers are available.     

Katherine K. Merseth, founder and director of BTCN reports that the BTCN 
has recently developed a Dissemination Guide that is available to teacher 
educators and others who would like to create similar networks.  The Guide 
includes sections on the history and description of the Network, an 
exploration of the participation patterns and factors that affect use, a 
review of the topics most frequently discussed on the network, and 
technical information required for implementation.

Information and copies of the Dissemination Guide are available for a 
small charge by writing:
Katherine K. Merseth
Director, Beginning Teacher Computer Network
451 Gutman Library
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Cambridge, MA 02138.
.