Creating a "connected" community? Teachers' use of an electronic discussion group

As information and communications technology (ICT) becomes more commonplace in educational settings the use of computer mediated communication (CMC) b etween teachers is increasingly being seen as a valid form of professional dialogue and support. Indeed, the promotion of online discussion groups aes "virtual meeting places "for teachers has formed a central part of the UK government's pound 1 billion drive to make ICT use part of day-to-day pract ice in British schools. However, amidst the enthusiasms for creating "virtu al communities" of teachers, little is known about how educational professi onals air using such resources in practice. To this end the present paper r eports on a study of UK teachers' use of an established online discussion g roup over a two-year period. It shows that, although the online forum was w idely being used both as an information and empathetic exchange resource, m any of the claims of establishing collectively focused virtual communities of teachers remain exaggerated as the forum teas limited by a number of cav eats associated with CMC groups in general.