Open Access Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
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Something Old, Something New: Initial Teacher Education in the Online Mode

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thesis
posted on 2023-03-14, 23:27 authored by Yates, Anne

Access to the internet has allowed online learning to become widespread. However, online learning can be met with scepticism and is often seen as second best. This thesis examines experiences of several beginning teachers who completed their initial teacher education solely in the online mode. It sought to discover perceptions of their preparedness to teach in a face-to-face classroom. The methodological approach was a multiple case study underpinned by a constructivist paradigm. Nine beginning teachers volunteered to complete two surveys and seven agreed to be interviewed. Using inductive content analysis, three overarching themes emerged. Participants were in general agreement that the content covered in the online course was comprehensive and had prepared them well to begin teaching, though findings did indicate that the beginning teachers experienced a theory/practice divide between what was learnt from the online content and what they experienced in schools during practicum. Studying online had advantages and challenges, the major advantage being the flexibility online study affords, and the major challenge coping with the sense of isolation from peers. The beginning teachers were in a variety of contexts and received varying induction support. Those receiving little support encountered difficulties in managing students' behaviour and experienced falling efficacy, emphasising that effective induction is essential for beginning teachers to thrive and develop professionally. The findings from this research identified recommendations to improve the online initial teacher education learning experience. The links between the online programme and teaching practicum need strengthening so these parts of the programme align. Lecturers need to make full use of Web 2.0 tools to develop tasks that create learning communities and dispel the feeling of isolation. Further research into the relationship between induction support and efficacy needs to occur to see if this phenomenon is more widespread.

History

Copyright Date

2011-01-01

Date of Award

2011-01-01

Publisher

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Rights License

Author Retains Copyright

Degree Discipline

Education

Degree Grantor

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Degree Level

Masters

Degree Name

Master of Education

Victoria University of Wellington Item Type

Awarded Research Masters Thesis

Language

en_NZ

Victoria University of Wellington School

School of Educational Psychology and Pedagogy

Advisors

Savage, Catherine; McDonald, Lex