Early Pre-Education Reflections of Online Clinical Experiences

• In Event: Challenges and Opportunities in Teacher Education

Abstract

This research study sought to understand the role of reflective practices in students’ first pre-education course at a mid-western community college, specifically, how do early pre-education students reflect on the interconnections between in-class and field-based learning. In addition, this study sought to compare online clinicals to field-based clinicals, specifically, how do student perceptions of teaching compare when using online and/or field-based clinicals. The findings indicated that both online and face-to-face clinicals were beneficial to the development of pre-service teachers, particularly in an early introduction to education course. This finding was significant to teacher recruitment and preparation, particularly for marginalized and historically underrepresented groups. The flexibility of an online clinical provides greater opportunities to low-income and non-traditional students.

Authors

• Carolyn Casale, Henry Ford College

• Adrainne C Thomas, Virginia State University

• Ahlam Bazzi, Michigan Department of Education