The Real World Buffalo: Reality TV Comes to a Charter School

Abstract

Videoconferencing is one form of distance learning that can enhance teacher education programs by linking students in higher education with Pre-K–12 schools. As part of a Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to use Technology grant (PT3), a teacher education program utilized distance learning to link college classes with an urban school. Mediated observations of specific literacy practices were integrated into a traditional introductory literacy course. Preservice teachers observed urban teachers teaching literacy. Immediately following these observations, the preservice teachers were granted the opportunity to reflect on the lesson by conversing with the teachers via distance learning. Initial findings suggest students acquired positive attitudes toward teaching in urban classrooms and preferred this virtual field experience to a traditional in-school placement.