Digital Internship 2.0Dr. Alec CourosFaculty of EducationUniversity of Regina

OverviewHistory, Context, Rationale

A research-based training project designed to provide preservice teacher interns with focused, sustained, and pedagogically appropriate educational technology experiences.Funded since 2002, federal then provincial gov. Research team interested in ICT and pedagogy.Perceived need from the field.Insufficient exposure to appropriate ICT in program.34 interns: 14 elementary, 6 middle years, 6 secondary, 8 arts education.

Overview: History, Context, Rationale

ActivitiesContent & Processes

Workshops on various topics: social learning, SmartBoards, managing ICT in the classroom, critical media literacy, internet safety & cyberbullying, digital video, podcasting, technology-rich differentiated learning, GPS, other sessions.Worked with cooperating teachers as well.Developed a Ning support group.At-school drop-in support.LOTS of one-to-one just-in-time learning.Provided hardware to schools via MPIL.Research.

Activities: Content & Processes

FindingsResults of the Project

Staying currentDeveloping self-efficacyForming support networks and an arena for sharing and springboarding.Interns perceived as technology resources.Catalysts of change.Recipients of supplementary mentorship.

Findings: Effects on the Intern & School

Allocation of hardware and support.Greater access to a wider range of teaching tools and authentic resources.Enhanced assessment possibilities and options.

Findings: Effects on Teaching

Quality of resources accessible to students.Motivation and comportment in the classroom.Perceiving lessons as accommodating and personally relevant.Fostering digital literacy.Confidence and sense of responsibility.

Findings: Effects on Students

Time.Resources in the school.Disparate school policies.Initial parental resistance.

Findings: Barriers

Laptops are beneficial to interns.Intentional communities are difficult to maintain.Parental education and involvement vital.Liberal policies and support are beneficial to technology-infused practice.

Other Major Findings

Future DirectionsPlans & Possibilities

Changes in programming.Development of 6-course ICT stream.Integration into education core studies courses.Focus on faculty ICT development.

Future Directions: Plans & Possibilities

We've reached the point in our (disparate) cultural adaptation to computing and communication technology that the younger technical generations are so empowered they are impatient and ready to jettison institutions most of the rest of us tend to think of as essential, central, even immortal. They are ready to dump our schools. (Cringely, 2008)

Contactalec.couros@uregina.cahttp://couros.ca