Integrating Technology in Teacher Education Programs: Lessons from the Teaching Teleapprenticeship Project

The authors describe a three-year project designed around a model that extends the traditional face-to-face apprenticeships currently used in student teaching settings by using electronic networks. Through network interactions and resource sharing, this model brings together the university coordinators, student teaching supervisors, school district instructors, preservice teachers, and public school students. Based on these data and the publications of others who are using technology within their teacher education programs, we present what we have learned about the potential of technology to support teacher education. The unique problems that arise when technology serves as a component for enhancing student teachers' learning are outlined. The discussion centers on three factors impacting the quality and character of participants' use of technology: Issues of access, training, and context.