Page 90 - Resources and Support for the Online Educator

SECTION II Implementing Technology Infusion

Tools Needed to Teach Online

Access to online tools and applications would allow teacher candidates to learn
about ways to engage with learners and to explore how to counter obstacles
common in traditional interactions. Most of these tools and applications are
common to learning management systems that teacher candidates will encounter
in their classrooms. Each of the general categories of tools in Table 6.1 provides
what are known in the literature as affordances, with each addressing unique
challenges and offering opportunities for the integration of technology into the
curriculum. Note that the column labeled “Communication Medium” is based on
the Community of Inquiry (CoI) theoretical framework that represents a process
of creating meaningful learning experiences through the development of three
interdependent elements: social, cognitive, and teaching presence (Garrison et al.,
2000). For more information on CoI, see the end of this chapter.

Table 6.1. Online Tools and Pedagogy

Communication
Medium from Online Tool
CoI Framework Example Skill Overview Pedagogical Challenge

Social Presence Live Chat This synchronous tool can be Synchronous chats with
a stand-alone app but is often larger groups require teacher
built into shared notetaking candidates to maintain a sense
applications and can enhance of order and clarity and develop
collaborative interactions. their skills as moderators.

Supportive Discourse Discussion This asynchronous tool enables Online discussions require
Board or online learners to conduct teacher candidates to develop
Forum in-depth conversations among prompts that will generate
themselves over a longer period relevant discussions leading
and share images or supporting to deeper inquiry or concept
links and documents. building.
Cognitive Presence Quiz Tools Quiz-making tools allow teacher Online quizzes require teacher
educators to create a variety of candidates to use the many
question types from multiple options of this tool to prompt
choice to open-ended that for deeper understanding
they can use as summative or by providing enriching and
formative assessments. encouraging feedback.

116 Championing Technology Infusion in Teacher Preparation

Excerpted from Chapter 6, “The Necessity of Preparing Teacher Candidates to Teach Online.”

Championing Technology Infusion in Teacher Preparation 90