Teachers in the digital age : design and validation of a social network interface

Abstract

This work appears as part of a doctoral thesis whose main objective would be to explore new approaches to training and professional development of Portuguese-speaking teachers in the context of the emerging educational paradigm known as Web 2.0. In order to investigate whether social networks can set up as virtual environments for the professional development of teachers, it was established a social network named "Teachers in the Digital Age - PROED", a Ning tool. In this communication we present the network created, the principles underlying the conception and layout of its interface, as well as the results of evaluation performed by four independent experts.

Este trabalho surge no âmbito de uma tese de doutoramento cujo objectivo central será explorar novas abordagens à formação e desenvolvimento profissional de professores lusófonos que emergem no contexto do paradigma educacional conhecido como Web 2.0. No sentido de investigar se as redes sociais podem configurar-se como ambientes virtuais para o desenvolvimento profissional dos professores foi criada a rede social “Professores na Era Digital – PROEDI” na ferramenta Ning. Nesta comunicação vamos apresentar a rede criada, os princípios que presidiram a concepção do seu layout e interface, bem como o resultado da avaliação realizada por quatro peritos independentes.