While some see the Internet as a barrier to human interaction, in rural and remote areas of NSW it is proving a useful tool for beginning teachers who might otherwise feel they’re battling professional problems alone.

Education researchers at the University of Technology Sydney have been at the centre of the development of a mentoring program, including an online mentoring network, designed to stem the migration of teachers away from rural and remote areas.

The program aims to connect beginning and experienced teachers in a network that can address teaching problems before they lead to a decision to quit the profession.

"Though mentor teachers prefer direct interaction, in many instances they don’t have that option," Dr Segal said.

"In addition to face-to-face mentoring, the pilot project therefore trialled an online mentoring program linking beginning teachers who were UTS graduates with experienced teacher-mentors and UTS academics," Dr Segal said.

"Beginning teachers in country schools view online mentoring positively," Dr Schuck said. "For them it’s a lifeline and they flourish online. Most recognise that online mentoring provides valuable opportunities and benefits."

Beginning teachers have testified to the mentoring program’s worth. "I couldn’t have lasted without the online network," a country teacher has told the UTS team. Another wrote that "thanks to the network, I’m still here and going strong."

Teachers interested in joining the online network should phone or e-mail Dr Segal: (02) 9514 5264, Gilda.Segal@uts.edu.au or Dr Schuck: (02) 9514 5218, Sandy.Schuck@uts.edu.au.

See the full story in UTS News.