Early Field Experiences in Teacher Education: Is Virtual an Option?
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of and experiences in a virtual field experience using online video-based cases, as compared to students completing a traditional field experience. Specifically, this study examined some of the strengths and limitations associated with each field experience format. Results of this study suggest that students completing the virtual field experience spent more time reflecting on their observations than students in the traditional group, but did not feel that they got a sense of what it was like to be a teacher in a classroom. The results of this study suggest that the strengths and limitations of each format need to be considered in relation to the goals and objectives of the field experience.
Presider: Doris Tyler, North Carolina Central University, School of Education