A Review of the Count Me In Too online professional development program

This report presents the findings of an investigation into the Count Me In Too (CMIT) Online project operating in Department of Education and Training (DET) primary schools across New South Wales. A combined total of 442 teachers from 68 schools participated in the project which ran first in Terms 1 and 2, and second in Terms 3 and 4 of 2005. The investigation was conducted in December, 2005. CMIT Online is a professional development project that uses ICT resources to support teachers who are already successfully implementing CMIT. Teachers formed a team within their school and met regularly to discuss issues involved in the maintenance of CMIT. They were also expected to take part in a teleconference and use a web-based discussion site to share their experiences and seek advice from participants in other schools and the DET project mentor. At the conclusion of the project, all teachers were required to submit a single-page written evaluation. The aims of the present study were as follows: • to summarise the key ideas emerging from the teachers’ evaluation forms • to analyse how the discussion site is being used • to suggest ways of improving participation on the discussion site.