Open AccessWhat is lost and what remains: an exploration of the pedagogical challenges of online discussions in two online teacher education learning communities
Author(s) -
Karen Armstrong,
Margaret E. Manson
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
language and literacy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1496-0974
DOI - 10.20360/g2bc71
Subject(s) - teacher education , reflection (computer programming) , pedagogy , conversation , online learning , professional development , online discussion , online teaching , sociology , critical reflection , mathematics education , psychology , political science , computer science , multimedia , communication , law , programming language
Online discussion has emerged as an increasingly common forum for conversation and professional reflection in teacher education. Across Canada, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, numerous universities have experimented with various forms of online discussion in teacher education programs. However, few scholars have explored the particular pedagogical challenges of creating meaningful discussions in online teacher education environments. In this paper, we examine some of these challenges and discuss how they might be met in the design of online courses in teacher education. Our intention is to provoke critical reflection on online teaching and contribute to the development of more robust online discussions in teacher education.