Author : Shwu-Meei Chen
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (621 download)
Book Synopsis A Study to Understand Preservice Teachers' Learning Experiences While Developing Electronic Portfolio in a Teacher Education Program by : Shwu-Meei Chen
Download or read book A Study to Understand Preservice Teachers' Learning Experiences While Developing Electronic Portfolio in a Teacher Education Program written by Shwu-Meei Chen and published by . This book was released on 2005 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: Recently, many teacher education programs have implemented electronic portfolios in order to develop preservice teachers' technology competency and promote reflectivity. This study looked at the use of electronic portfolios in a year-long teacher education program considering how they were used and what the students learned. The participants were a cohort of M. Ed. students involved in a year-long teacher education program. The study explored the preservice teachers' perceptions of developing electronic portfolios and then whether their learning about e-portfolios was integrated into their subsequent teaching. This study used sociocultural theory as framework to understand: 1) What were these preservice teachers' perception of learning about the e-portfolio? 2) How did sociocultural context influence these preservice teachers' learning from the e-portfolio? 3) What did these preservice teachers learn from developing their e-portfolios that influenced their technology competency? 4) How was the learning experience from the e-portfolio transformed into their first year teaching? The study drew on a qualitative paradigm using multiple research methods including surveys, interviews, observations, and document analysis. Analysis of the data showed that the preservice teachers perceived the learning from developing their e-portfolio as both a process and a product for learning technology, which involved reflection and documentation as well as sharing their learning. The sociocultural context including peers, mentor teachers, the M. Ed. program and the school contexts had significant influence on these preservice teachers' learning. The study revealed that these preservice teachers increased their learning about technology knowledge and skills. There was also evidence that some of these preservice teachers transformed their learning from the e-portfolio into their future teaching. This study identified the complexity of the learning process that teacher educators have to recognize in order to engage and arrange teacher learning through e-portfolios in a meaningful way. There were strengthens as well as weaknesses in this particular teacher education program related to the implementation of the e-portfolio. As such, this study contributes to the literature on using e-portfolios to enhance learning, reflection, and professional growth for preservice and beginning teachers. Recommendations for further research are provided.