Title: Website forums: adoption issues

Authors: Mike Willome

Addresses: Wichita Public Schools-USD 259, Morris Administrative Center, 201 N. Water, Wichita, KS 67202, USA

Abstract: In 1997, the school district experimented with staff forums on its website. Its goal was to increase staff usage of the website by providing an asynchronous communication tool. Orientation tools included a web-based tutorial, printed tutorial for staff members with internet accounts, and a PowerPoint demonstration for staff in-services. After a 12-month trial, the project was discontinued in July 1998 for three reasons. First, most staff did not have internet accounts at work. Second, staff did not have access to computers with the internet. Third, staff did not have time to use the service during work hours. These results indicated that web-based services must be supported by internet access for staff members, computers within their reach, and time to use the services at work.

Keywords: website development; communication; forums; staff development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2000.000369

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2000 Vol.10 No.1/2/3/4, pp.270-274

Published online: 16 Jul 2003 *

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