Using Computer Conferencing Technology To Assist Collaboration between Higher Education Faculty; Student Teachers and K-12 Practitioners

Authors

Richard Stahlhut, University of Northern Iowa
Richard R. Hawkes, University of Northern Iowa

Comments

ERIC Document - ED377177 found in the ERIC Database

Document Type

Conference

Keywords

College School Cooperation; Computer Networks; Computer Uses in Education; Electronic Mail; Elementary School Teachers; Elementary Secondary Education; Higher Education; Partnerships in Education; Preservice Teacher Education; School Districts; Secondary School Teachers; Student Teacher Supervisors; Student Teachers; Student Teaching; Supervisory Methods; Teleconferencing; Iowa

Abstract

The College of Education at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) created collaborative partnerships with nine major school districts in Iowa in order to establish several kinds of relationships between practitioners and university faculty which computer networks facilitated. A new "Cobra" computer conference system was expanded to the nine regional off-campus centers where UNI student teachers were working; and modem-equipped portable computers were linked to the campus through a WATTS telephone line. Personnel; including field-based personnel and practitioners; were then able to communicate with nearly all offices on UNI campus through E-mail and computer conferences. Further programs have recruited teachers as center Cadre members. The ability to connect campus faculty to field practitioners has positively affected the teacher education program at UNI. Classroom teachers have been a valuable resource for teacher trainees and student teachers; they have influenced university committee decisions; impacted curriculum content and methods classes; and enhanced rapport between faculty and teachers. When faculty and teachers talked about a mutual interest; traditional barriers tended to disappear. Student teachers have benefited through more frequent communication; and their cooperating teachers' interest in Cobra was heightened. Lessons proposed for similar programs are: (1) keep technical information simple; (2) establish leadership and commitment; and (3) find ways to introduce computer network users face-to-face to build rapport. Contains 8 references. (JB)

Department

Student Field Experience

Original Publication Date

1994

Object Description

1 PDF file (10 pages)

Repository

UNI ScholarWorks, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa

Date Digital

1994

Copyright

©1994 Richard Stahlhut and Richard Hawkes

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Stahlhut, Richard and Hawkes, Richard R., "Using Computer Conferencing Technology To Assist Collaboration between Higher Education Faculty; Student Teachers and K-12 Practitioners" (1994). Faculty Publications. 5694.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/facpub/5694