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Abstract

This chapter explores the findings from a study designed to pursue opportunities to strengthen pre-service teacher education. At the heart of the study was the identification
and exploration of several tensions that emerge from the practicum experience with a view to examining and reducing the reported gap between teacher education course-work at university and the experiences of student-teachers during their inschool placements.

A particular focus of the study was the use of an integrated technological format, WebCT, used to promote discourse and collaboration in the pursuit of providing
additional support for student-teachers. WebCT incorporates a range of learning tools: information can be made available through the lecture tool; interaction is facilitated through real-time chat, asynchronous discussion during which contributors may choose anonymity, and e-mail; and student-teachers can be engaged in reflection and the provision of feedback through completing surveys. The WebCT survey tool was used to
gather sets of data from 43 third year and 68 fourth year Tasmanian student-teachers in 2002. Each data set was allocated a number for identification purposes. Roman numerals denote which item in the survey elicited each response. In cases of data from discussion threads each contribution is identified with the message
number.

Item Type:	Book Section
Authors/Creators:	Gardner, CM and Williamson, JC
Publisher:	Springer
Additional Information:	© 2007 Springer
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