Partnership, Practice, and Pedagogy: The Impact of Virtual Experiences on Pre-service Teachers
Abstract: This paper focuses on providing pre-service educators with authentic and meaningful virtual field experiences using technological advances. Pre-service educators were paired with a mentor teacher or virtual cooperating teacher (VCT) with whom they communicated through the use of technology (E-mail, Twitter, Skype, Google Hangout, and Google docs). The pre-service educator collaborates with the VCT to plan and create artifacts using technology for the VCT to use in their classroom. This paper reviews two models of the virtual experience for pre-service educators. Students indicated that they experienced professional growth, practiced responsibility, and increased their confidence in working with students and technology.