Increasing practicum communication with technology
Date
2005
Authors
Meadows, Jeff
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 2005
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to examine alternative methods for supervising students
within the Faculty of Education, practicum programs-specifically Professional Semester
II. As the Undergraduate program grows in size, students need to be placed further afield
for the practicum portion of their programs. With this comes the increased cost of
supervision as well as the logistical problems associated with trying to put experienced
supervisors into all of these classrooms on a weekly basis. From these pressures, grew a
pilot project to test the use of different forms of technology to help increase the amount
of communication between the Practicum Students, Teacher Associates, and University
Consultants. From this starting point, a literature review was conducted to look for
current trends in the use of technology-based communication in education. Successful
instruments and methodologies from other locations were used as the basis of design for a
strategy for the Faculty. With the assistance of the Curriculum Re-Development Centre
(CRDC), several online tools were constructed and the University Consultants, Teacher
Associates, and Practicum Students were instructed in their use. These tools were then
implemented and evaluated over the course of two Professional Semester II practica
(2003,2004). Modifications were made between the first pilot and the second to address
issues that were raised by Students, Teacher Associates, and University Consultants. The
results of these pilots are presented here in the hope that they will help the Faculty find
methods of increasing the amount of contact and support for students while at the same
time enable Faculty to place them further away from Lethbridge.
Description
vi, 62 leaves ; 29 cm. --
Keywords
Student teaching -- Computer network resources , Telematics , Computer managed instruction , Teachers -- Training of , Communication and technology , Student teachers -- Supervision of