Abstract: This paper reports the preliminary findings of a study conducted on undergraduate pre-service teachers enrolled in an online learning community provided with asynchronous and synchronous technologies to support their professional development in teaching excellence. Case study analysis was used to examine synchronous video-based web conferencing sessions. Data included the instant message chat function transcripts, interview transcripts, and observation of the web conferencing sessions, and surveys. Web conferencing was valued for its synchronous promotion of high levels of critical thinking and engagement. Best practices for practitioners in the pedagogical use of web conferencing emerged and are elaborated upon within.