Connecting Preservice Teachers With Children Using Blogs

New Search

Print Abstract

E-mail Abstract

Full Text

Save to My Collections

Export Citation

Gibson, S. & Kelland, J. (2009). Connecting Preservice Teachers With Children Using Blogs. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 17(3), 299-314. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
Retrieved from http://www.editlib.org/p/28230.

• Share:
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Journal Information

Journal of Technology and Teacher Education
ISSN 1059-7069
Volume 17, Issue 3, July 2009
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)  Chesapeake, VA

More Information on JTATE

Authors

Susan Gibson, Jenna Kelland, Faculty of Education, University of Alberta, Canada

Abstract

This article describes how a blogging exchange between pre-service teachers and elementary school children was used as part of a social studies pedagogy course. The objective of this exchange was to develop the pre-service teachers’ understanding of children’s differing learning needs, interests and learning styles while the children were immersed in developing subject-specific content knowledge. The blogging was used in conjunction with three virtual visits to a Grade 4 classroom through videoconferencing as a way to encourage ongoing interaction between the children and the pre-service teachers. The experience was mutually beneficial for both the children as they strove to perfect their work for an audience, and the pre-service teachers as they saw the theory they were learning about in their social studies course in action in a classroom. Challenges included unanticipated reluctance on the part of the pre-service teachers to engage in the blogging mainly due to a lack of knowledge about and skill with blogging and conducting online discussion, and frustration with the erratic responses from the children. Recommendations include increased emphasis on training both pre-service teachers and children on how to use blogs and how to frame questions and responses prior to incorporating a blogging experience.

Keywords

• Elementary Education
• Children
• Social Studies
• Educational Technology
• Preservice Teacher Education
• Teaching Methods

Also Read

• Research Highlights in Technology and Teacher Education 2009
• Supporting E-Learning with Technologies for Electronic Documents
• Mentoring Professors: A Model for Developing Quality Online Instructors and Courses in Higher Education
• Technology, Transfer and Teaching: The Impact of a Single Technology Course on Preservice Teachers’ Computer Attitudes and Ability
• The Connected Learning Space
• Preparing Preservice Teachers for 21st Century Classrooms: Transforming Attitudes and Behaviors About Innovative Technology
• Elements of Problem-Based Learning: Suggestions for Implementation in the Asynchronous Environment
• Teacher Educators’ Beliefs and Technology Uses as Predictors of Preservice Teachers’ Beliefs and Technology Attitudes
• A Special Passage Through Asia E-Learning
• Learning and Teaching with Electronic Games

Tags