Tuesday, October 28
11:55 AM-12:15 PM
CDT
Grand Ballroom B

Teacher Candidates learning to foster a sense of community for parents and students through teacher websites: A best practice session

Best Practices Session ID: 43995
  1. aaa
    Jennifer Laffier
    University of Ontario Institute of Technology
  2. aaa
    Diana Petrarca
    University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Abstract: Creating a sense of community in a classroom is an important aspect of individual student success; students thrive on their learning journey when they feel supported, valued, and connected to others (Bransford, Brown, & Cocking, 2004). That sense of community can be built amongst the students as well as parents. Researchers have indicated that involving parents and families is one of the most important ways to improve schools and thus help students succeed; specifically when parents have the opportunity to be involved in their child’s learning process (Ontario Ministry of Education, 2012). One way to increase students’ and parents’ sense of community is through teacher websites. The internet has been described by teacher educators as a tool that can have far-reaching benefits for both teachers and students (Friedman, 2006). Teacher websites act as a virtual portal to the real classroom; supporting student learning by including course outlines, tutorial videos, or other supplementary materials (Holcomb, 2007). In addition, classroom websites can encourage parental involvement by increasing awareness of course expectations, school functions, and student homework. This allows the parent to know how they can support their child’s learning and school experience. Teacher websites can also engage students and parents with the larger community by providing information on community resources (Piper, 2012). Since such evidence exists to support the use of teacher websites, teacher candidates in a Bachelor of Education program in an Ontario university learn to create teacher websites as part of their course ‘Human Development and Learning’. The design and content of the website was meant to foster a sense of community and engagement for parents and students to increase student learning and success. Several examples of these websites are presented in this best practice session to highlight how teacher candidates can learn how to create websites to build a sense of community for students and include parents. A review of how this assignment has been imbedded into the course and its impact on teacher candidate learning is presented. Additionally, this best practice session will review lessons learned about having teacher candidates learn technology, website creation, and their willingness to use websites in the classroom. Benefits and ideas for using this technology based assignment in a 2 year Bachelor of Education program will be explored.

Presider: Kathleen Klinger, National University

Topics

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