What should we be teaching pre-service teachers about the "information superhighway"?

Edwin Joseph George, Purdue University

Abstract

There is little doubt that the Internet is coming to public schools, and probably sooner rather than later. The big question is will the schools be ready for it? And considering all that is available through the Internet, just what should teachers know about it? More specifically, what should preservice teachers be taught about the Internet by their undergraduate institutions? Through a review of the literature during late 1994 and early 1995 a historical examination was made considering the path that the integration of computers into school buildings has followed. Also examined was the training of teachers on these computers as they were introduced. From this review, it is clear that the training offered teachers, and especially that offered to preservice teachers, was inadequate. The review of the literature also examined the Internet, and the role it has played and may yet play in the public school. There were no data, however, suggesting what should be taught to preservice teachers about this important new medium. Therefore, a study was conducted using the Schools of Education in the Big Ten, and 21 public school corporations in Indiana, to help determine what universities should be teaching preservice teachers about the Internet. This study points out that there are considerable gaps between what the Schools of Education believe they are teaching preservice teachers about computers and information technologies and the competencies hiring school districts see in their newly hired teachers. It also illustrates a number of important bodies of content that should be added to the curriculums of preservice teacher education. Specifically, students should be receiving computer literacy courses that include advanced topics such as Internet literacy. In addition, computer and information technologies should be integrated into the entire undergraduate education curriculum.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Lehman, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Teacher education|Educational software

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