Teachers Need Someone To Talk To

Teachers want the chance to connect with other teachers and to learn from one another what works in their classrooms. That was one finding of the survey of more than 500 high school biology teachers that led Genentech Inc., a San Francisco-based biotechnology company, to develop a new computer network for biology teachers.

The survey, conducted by the Roper Organization in 1993, found that 92 percent of the participating high school biology teachers said they felt isolated from other teachers across the country. Ninety-two percent said they wanted a way to exchange ideas with other teachers, and 91 percent sought a way to exchange ideas with scientists and university-based experts. Another 77 percent said they found it difficult to keep up with the latest scientific developments.

The findings led Genentech to develop Access Excellence, an on-line service available through America Online and on the World Wide Web. Teachers tap into the network to share ideas with one another and to converse with scientists and others about science, according to company officials.

Teachers use the network, available since April 1995, to look for information on a number of classroom topics: Most recently, teachers have sought out information on the Ebola virus outbreak in Zaire, company officials say. Teachers who use the network swap information on classroom activities; they get "cutting edge" science news; and they participate in virtual seminars and post messages to other teachers, says Geoff Teeter, senior program manager.

On America Online, the Access Excellence Network is available in the education section's Teachers' Information Network.