Abstract:

The global pandemic brought transformative changes to teacher education. Schools of education quickly adapted in an attempt to ensure that future teachers would have high quality experiences teaching with children. As P-12 schools shifted to remote learning, some student teachers were able to continue to observe and practice teaching in remote classes using different modes of technology. However, many more were not able to continue with this critical phase of their education. This case study outlines how the academic leadership at one school of education in the United States responded by revising the curriculum to simulate the authentic experiences teacher candidates would have had if working with children in the classroom. Faculty designed robust practice-based learning activities and assessments that candidates completed through micro teaching and video analysis modalities. Learning management systems, such as CANVAS and other educational technologies including video conferencing tools like Zoom were utilized to enhance the teaching and learning experience. Qualitative data collected through graduates’ reflections, course evaluations, and post-graduation feedback highlighted the beginning teachers’ impressions and experiences about learning to teach when children may not have been their students.

This paper and presentation attempts to address the following questions:
(1) How effective are teachers who learned to teach without access to children during the pandemic?
(2) To what degree were video analysis, micro teaching, and simulations sufficient to prepare teachers for the return to the classroom?
(3) What additional support systems do pedagogues who learned to teach during the pandemic require to demonstrate mastery in the face to face classroom?

Preliminary findings revealed that teachers, whose first time teaching in the brick and mortar classroom was after a year or more of learning remotely, can benefit from continued professional development and support. This presents an opportunity for schools of education to provide continuing education and mentoring services for their graduates.

Keywords:

Micro Teaching, Video Analysis, Simulated learning experiences, E-supervision, COVID education, student teaching, mentoring, continuing education.