Cross-Institutional Collaboration: (Co-)Constructing Knowledge About Teaching and Learning in the Middle-Level Classroom

• In Event: 34.079 - Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: 34.079-14 - Preparing Teachers for Middle-Level Classrooms

Abstract

This descriptive qualitative study explored the process of cross-institutional collaboration between three university middle level teacher preparation programs within the same state. Two questions guided the work: 1) How does technology facilitate opportunities for engagement in collaborative activities for middle level teacher candidates from three institutions? 2) What are candidates’ perceptions of collaborative, virtual classroom observations with peers from other institutions? Utilizing the notion of third space, forty-seven middle level teacher candidates from three institutions collaboratively observed a live classroom observation virtually, participated in a backchannel conversation simultaneously, and collectively debriefed the lesson with the classroom teacher upon its completion. The experience allowed candidates to see a lesson from multiple perspectives broadening their views of teaching and learning.

Authors

• Penny B. Howell, University of Louisville

• Margaret Rintamaa, University of Kentucky

• Shawn A. Faulkner, Northern Kentucky University

• Michael DiCicco, Northern Kentucky University