FAQs

Questions addressed in the FAQ:

 

What is this site?
The New Teacher Center (NTC) Community of Practice site is a moderated, focused location for conversations, resource sharing and community building surrounding one primary goal: improving student achievement through the effective and active induction of new teachers and administrators. It is free, but is moderated and both conversations and resources are verified by NTC experts and friends.

What is the New Teacher Center?
NTC is dedicated to improve student achievement by the use of research based and proven methods to support new teachers and principals in the first two years of work in classrooms, otherwise called the induction process. It first began as the New Teacher Project through the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1989, supporting new teachers in the Monterey Bay and South San Francisco Bay areas after they completed the teacher credentialing process. The New Teacher Center was established in 1998 as a national resource focused on teacher and administor induction through UCSC.  NTC is a leader in its field, promoting induction best practices through a variety of innovative professional development opportunities and resource materials that assist educators and policy makers in supportingthe next generation of educational professionals.

When I join, how much will it cost me?
Joining and participating NTC's Community of Practice is free. The original site was envisioned and created by the NTC Online Team, and was funded generously by a grant through the Dirk and Charlene Kapcenell Foundation. Ongoing monitoring, facilitation, and support will be provided by the New Teacher Center.

What is the difference between this site and NTC's Learning Environment?
NTC's Learning Environment (LE) is a set of worksites that support individual projects or programs where NTC provides intensive, contracted support. In contrast, this is a free site, supporting open and public professional idea generation, connections and resources, all in support of effective induction practices and tools that support new teachers and administrators in the profession. Both the Community of Practice and the Learning Environment

Can I trust the content here is valuable and really represents best practices in teacher and administrator induction?
Within limits of an open, public site, absolutely. NTC is dedicating resources to facilitate both the quality and authenticity of discussions, groups, resources, and individuals representing who they say they are. Of course, there will be times when we cannot monitor everything, and for that we depend on the active participation of community members to help clarify, question and even identify inappropriate content.

How can community members help support quality conversations and resources on this site?
Primarily, the community monitors itself with an intent on active participation in a high quality and professional environment. In other words, the more we use this site to better our practice and the more our vision is really focused on improving student achievement through high quality induction of new teachers and administrators, the value of our commununity will help ensure professional and useful connections.

What if I find content I think is not appropriate or do not think is of high quality?
This is really asking two questions. If content is not appropriate (profanity, flaming, degrading, unrelated to the induction of new teachers and administrators, etc.) then you should flag content using the red flag button by each discussion. Upon being flagged, the item will be removed from community viewing, to be reviewed and republished or removed permanently by NTC facilitators.

You can also promote an item to bring attention to it by selecting the thumbs up, or bookmark a topic to return to it easily later.

The other question refers to finding content that is not of high quality. NTC desires to provide a voice regarding induction to anyone willing to use the site respectfully and appropriately. The community, as well as NTC facilitators, is open to points of view not in line with what NTC might consider best practice. We welcome the opportunity to be able to respond to and help clarify or expand ideas as long as the focus is on improving student achievement through the induction process.

What are some Guiding Principles for participating in online communities?
Please follow these guiding principles while using NTC's Community site:

  • Stick to content under discussion and provide your unique, individual perspectives and questions on mentoring mentors, new teachers and administrators.
  • Post meaningful, respectful comments—in other words, no spam and no remarks that are off-topic or offensive.
  • Always pause and think before posting. That said, reply to comments in a timely manner, when a response is appropriate.
  • Respect privacy, copyright, and confidentiality.
  • When disagreeing with others' opinions, keep it appropriate and polite.
  • Know and follow the NTC Privacy Policy (link to policy).

Are there any Guidelines to promote engagement in the NTC Community of Practice?
Be transparent - Be professional and honest. Use your real name and clearly identify where you work and if you have a vested interest in what you are discussing. Honor confidentiality to protect students, teachers administrators and peers.

Be judicious - Ask permission to publish or report on private conversations, upload proprietary documents. copyrighted video or conversational audio. Be smart about protecting yourself and your privacy. What you publish is widely accessible and will be around for a long time, so consider the content carefully.

Perception is reality - In online social networks, the lines between public and private, personal and professional are blurred. This is a professional network, and your identity with a district, organization, and/or NTC creates perceptions about your expertise. Be sure that all content associated with you is consistent with the highest educational values and professional standards.

This is a conversation - Talk to your readers like you would talk to real people in professional situations. In other words, avoid overly pedantic or "composed" language, while using your own personality and say what's on your mind. Consider content that's open-ended and invites response. Encourage comments. Don't wander from the point; that's what new conversations are about.

Your Responsibility - Participation in professional online networking on behalf of NTC is not a right but an opportunity, so please treat it seriously and with respect.  If you make a mistake, admit it; modify an earlier post, but just make it clear that you have done so. What you write is ultimately your responsibility.

How can I contact New Teacher Center for more information, tech support, or to inquire about other services NTC offers?
Please email community@newteachercenter.org for more information or for help at this site, or products@newteachercenter.org for more about NTC services.