ERIC Number: EJ1184995
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1812-9129
EISSN: N/A
Connected Classrooms: Videoconferencing in TESOL Teacher Preparation
Schmitt, Elena; Eilderts, Luke
International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, v30 n2 p290-299 2018
Recent technological developments have afforded a proliferation of flexible online opportunities for teacher education (e.g., Chen, 2013). Videoconferencing (VC) is one of the most effective ways to engage students in collaborative learning (Wegner, 2015), as it makes in-class interactions more feasible (Bannan-Ritland, 2002). This descriptive study discusses the online teaching of graduate students in a TESOL program from the point of view of sociocultural theory (SCT) Lantolf and Thorne (2007) and media naturalness theory (MNT) (Kock, 2011). It analyzes the use of VC as the sole medium of instruction of future ESL teachers (N = 12) who participate synchronously from different locations, including on-campus and distant classrooms. The participants' exit slips, as well as post-course anonymous surveys, are analyzed to identify elements of VC that have worked well and those that present challenges. The results provide an insight into what makes VC a compelling tool for the training of ESL teachers.
Descriptors: Videoconferencing, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Language Teachers, Teaching Methods, Teacher Education, Cooperative Learning, Student Attitudes, Course Evaluation, Graduate Students, Masters Programs, Computer Mediated Communication, Student Surveys
International Society for Exploring Teaching and Learning. Web site: http://www.isetl.org/ijtlhe
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A