From surviving to thriving: the use of information and communication technology in an induction program for early career teachers in personal development, health and physical education

This paper is a discussion of a project with both face-to-face and online components designed to support early career teachers from the key learning area of Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) across three teacher employing authorities in New South Wales, Australia. The project was initiated in 2004 by the Australian Council for Health Physical Education and Recreation, NSW (ACHPER) in conjunction with the Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme. Supporting all aspects of the project is the BEST:PDHPE (Beginning and Establishing Successful Teachers) website that has been developed to provide resources and communication tools. Research associated with the project will include the identification of the issues affecting early career teachers in physical and health education, the effectiveness of a mixed mode of professional development opportunities and the benefits to experienced teachers as mentors of early career teachers.