Submitted by:
Laura Guillory
Manager Network User Services
Information Resources and Technology
California State University, Chancellor’s Office
P.O. Box 3842
Seal Beach, CA 90740-7842 USA
v: (310) 985-9641
f: (310) 985-9400
e: laura@calstate.edu
Categories:
Education, K12; Education, higher
Keywords:
More equitable access to technology or electronic information; Technology transfer ; Local commitment to network-based activities
Supporting Documentation (contact author for more information):
Slides/photographs Photo of Professor Casey
Note:
Street address is:
Laura Guillory, Manager Network User Services
Information Resources and Technology
California State University, Chancellor’s Office
4665 Lampson Ave.
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
The Story:
CSUnet Supports TeacherNet Project Translating the classroom theory to classroom reality has occasionally created panic among new student teachers. Unanticipated student reactions and unfamiliar curriculum topics send many new teachers to their campus supervisors for assistance.
Jean Casey, Assistant Professor of Teacher Education at CSU Long Beach solved the telephone tag cycle that often accompanied student teachers’ requests for help from their supervisors with the TeacherNet project begun in September 1989. Through the generous loan of 15 Macintosh computers and 15 copies of Microsoft Works from Apple Computer, and the free use of CSUnet, Professor Casey created TeacherNet. With their Macintosh computers, student teachers and CSULB faculty were able to access CSUnet and connect to an electronic mail and electronic conference service provided by Network Applications Services in Information Resources and Technology (IRT). Using CSUnet modems in Long Beach, Fullerton, and other CSU campus locations, student teachers in Long Beach, Cerritos, and Huntington Beach had toll free access to IRT’s Electronic Information Service (EIS). Ease of use encouraged the project director to post hints on lesson design, classroom activities, job availability, and “carrots of wisdom” that provided valuable resources to the student teachers.
Answers to questions such as “Help! Who has some information on the Gold Rush? I have to do a fifth grade unit on it next week” or “What did I do wrong in that science experiment today that caused the students to laugh” were easily obtained by dialing into CSUnet and selecting the EIS system. Master teachers could quickly reply with suggestions on alternative approaches and additional reference sources. Results gathered through evaluation by the CSULB Director of Education and elementary school staff indicated the following results from their experience with CSUnet and EIS:
- The creation of sense of community between in-service and pre- service teachers which eliminated the isolation often felt by student teachers.
- Student teachers reported an increased opportunity to reflect on what they were learning. They had more time at home to evaluate teaching they observed and teaching they performed, and then write thoughtful discussion questions and responses to their university supervisor. The number of contacts between student teachers and university supervisors doubled when compared to a semester without TeacherNet.
- Student teachers experienced a boost to their self esteem arising from their competence with telecommunication and computers. Frequent use of CSUnet and Macintosh computers eliminated the apprehension often felt when one is exposed to new technology.
- All participants using the conferencing system were able to discuss in-depth topics such as classroom management, lesson ideas, job opportunities, joys and frustrations. One of the most popular conferences was the “Lounge” used for open discussions and scheduling get-togethers and parties.
- Finally, the university supervisors really appreciated the ability to preview student lesson plans prior to visiting the school for observation. They also found it a great timesaver when alerted by the student teacher of last minute assemblies or field trips that required scheduled observation changes. In the past, many miles would have been driven only to find out that a schedule change made classroom observation impossible on that particular day. Since the TeacherNet project was implemented using CSUnet, students had the opportunity to communicate with teachers from other states such as Michigan, Illinois, and Virginia and future plans are to include the international exchange students at Winchester, England in the project. Professor Casey’s TeacherNet offers a refreshing approach to improving the student teacher experience and subsequently contributing to improved teacher retention. Since the current first year drop out rate is approximately 15% and the three year rate is close to 25%,developing a close network of professional support among pre-service, in-service, and university teachers offers much promise for boosting teacher retention.
For additional information contact:
Jean Casey, Assistant Professor
Teacher Education
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach CA 90840
v: (310) 985-5795
e: jcasey@is.calstate.edu