Share Paper: Online Communication as a Mode of Professional Development Among Student Teachers in Music Education

  1. Jessica Slotwinski, Teachers College, Columbia University, United States
Thursday, March 10 10:45 AM-11:15 AM Kingsley

Abstract: Historically, most schools employ only one music teacher per specialty; therefore, student teachers in music education work in relative isolation during their student teaching experience. One of the ways to address the absence of more traditional professional development opportunities for student teachers in music is to make online forums available to them. This study examined how 15 student teachers engage in an online community of practice dedicated to them and how this, in turn, impacted their student teaching experience. The data yielded five major findings including: the benefits of a professional working relationship with one’s cooperating teacher; using a specific ...