Weaving New Perspectives in the Cloud: UAE and U.S. Preservice Teachers Use VoiceThread to Discuss Children’s Literature

• In Event: Professional Practice, Teachers, and Teacher Preparation

Abstract

This qualitative research study explored what 28 preservice teachers (PT) from the United States (US) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) learned from participating in online literature circle discussions using the virtual space VoiceThread. Through the discussions of multicultural children’s literature, the researchers sought to extend classroom walls, to open PTs minds to learning about other cultures and different ways of seeing the world, and to help them become comfortable in exploring issues related to cultural norms and expectations. Findings demonstrate PTs felt they benefited from the discussions. The analysis of their discussions also demonstrates the development of new perspectives about culture, language and religion from the books they read, and the sharing of information with their discussion partners.

Authors

• Patience A. Sowa, Zayed University

• Cynthia M. Schmidt, University of Missouri - Kansas City