Teacher Educators and the New Technologies: Maximizing Theory-Practice Connections Made by Pre-Service Teachers in a Practicum
Changing technological tools offer pre-service teachers opportunities to engage in knowledge building; however, new ways do not necessarily result in high quality learning. Additionally, the use of such tools requires that teacher educators possess knowledge and understanding of these technologies. This paper describes a study of the process through which two teacher educators refined the design of an assignment which required students to participate in an asynchronous dialogue over a one-month period while engaged in their practicum experience. The refinements were intended to maximize the possibility of deepening the theory-practice connections made by pre-service teachers in a practicum. The paper focuses on an 18 month period during which the teacher educators began by drawing on current research in online learning communities and teacher education. It examines factors that influenced the series of refinements that were made, including pre-service teachers’ perceptions of the impact of their participation in the forum on their learning.
Keywords: Technological Tools, Teacher Education, Theory-Practice Connections
Dr. Joanne Kingsley
Associate Professor, Education, Bishop's University