Instructional Mash-Up: Promoting Reflective Skill Development in a Virtual Environment

Authors

  • Karen Dunlap Department of Education at Texas Woman's University
  • Tracey Mac Gowan Texas Women's University
  • Keith Restine Texas Women's University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37119/ojs2009.v15i2.56

Abstract

Classroom management (CM) research suggests prospective teachers customarily view CM skill acquisition as a fundamental component of pedagogical knowledge development (Emmer & Stough, 2001; Merrett & Wheldall, 1993). Dissemination of critical concepts has traditionally occurred in face-to-face classrooms supported by school-based field experiences. However, circumstances have fueled student demand for flexible scheduling and convenient online courses (Ellis, 2009; Fink, 2003). Professors are challenged to deliver CM instruction virtually; utilizing multiple tools for online delivery to emulate traditional and educational training experiences. This qualitative study explored emergence of reflective skills in blogs, wikis, and scaffolded assignments in an online CM course.

Keywords: classroom management; pedagogy; flexibility; online courses; blogs; wikis; scaffolded assignments

Author Biographies

Karen Dunlap, Department of Education at Texas Woman's University

Karen Dunlap, Ed.D, is an assistant professor in the Department of Education at Texas Woman’s University. Her current research interests include teacher identity formation, professional development and the educator’s development of online presence.

Tracey Mac Gowan, Texas Women's University

Tracey Mac Gowan, M.Ed., is an Instructional Design Specialist for Lifelong Learning at Texas Woman's University. Her current interests include andragogy for the online course.

Keith Restine, Texas Women's University

Keith Restine, Ed.D. is the Associate Director of Distance Education at Texas Woman’s University. He supervises distance education faculty development.

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Published

2013-01-03