Abstract

The Common Thread Case Project is a multi-year project that uses multimedia compact disc technology and high-bandwidth telecommunications to provide a unique, case-based professional development network for teachers in the midst of systemic reform in the state of Kentucky. The project is a partnership between the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Kentucky Educational Television. Year one of the project centered on the development of a series of five secondary and five elementary cases, available in hard copy and on CD ROM. Each case in the Common Thread Cases (CTC) series is a true story and captures the dilemmas and accomplishments of teachers involved in reform. The cases are designed for in-depth discussions that critically analyze pedagogy and promote reflection. Year two of the project focuses on training and dissemination of the case materials. The intent of the training is to provide teachers with case facilitation skills and technology to develop and support a professional community of teachers. The project also works with participants to explore telecommunications for ongoing professional development and collaboration. Questions considered are: (1) To what extent can the cases, along with accompanying study tools and resources and available telecommunications technology, become the nexus of a larger system of knowledge support that is essential for teacher professionalism? (2) What are the dimensions of such a knowledge support system? The report looks at: Background and Need for Knowledge Support; Cases and Teacher Professional Development; Knowledge Support and Performance Outcomes for Teacher Professionalism; Dimensions of an Open Knowledge Support System (instrumental, relational, and communication dimensions); and Future Directions. Appendix A contains the criteria a case study must meet for inclusion, and Appendix B illustrates some of the features of the case delivery system. (Contains 39 references.) (Author/SWC)

Citation

Mazur, J. & Bliss, T. (1996). Dimensions of a Knowledge Support System: Multimedia Cases and High Bandwidth Telecommunications for Teacher Professional Development. Presented at Selected Research and Development Presentations at the 1996 National Convention of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology 1996. Retrieved March 30, 2023 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/80086/.

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Keywords

• Appropriate Technology
• case studies
• Collegiality
• Discussion (Teaching Technique)
• distance education
• Educational Change
• Educational Television
• Elementary Secondary Education
• higher education
• Multimedia Materials
• Optical Data Disks
• Partnerships in Education
• professional development
• Program Development
• Teacher Associations
• teacher education
• Telecommunications